Eczema is a condition that causes dry skin and rash. Eczema can be very painful and uncomfortable if it occurs on your face because it is more sensitive than other areas. The skin can feel hot. It can cause sores and scarring.

Depending on your skin color, the bumps on the face may be red, white, or purple. It may be a rash, blisters, or cracked skin. It happens in both children and adults.

You can have flares where symptoms last a few weeks, go away, and then come back.

There are different types of facial eczema, causes and treatments.

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by inflammation and rough patches. Five types of eczema can affect the face.

1. Atopic dermatitis

According to the National Eczema Association, atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, affecting people of all ages. It’s can affect children as early as six months old.

“It is a chronic condition. Symptoms can be better after a few weeks or months, but they usually return over the course of a person’s life.”

Most children outgrow their eczema by the time they reach 4 or 5 years of age, although they may always have a tendency for dry, sensitive skin.

There are dry patches around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes, which are symptoms of atopic dermatitis. The inside of the elbows and back of the knees are the areas that are most affected by atopic dermatitis.

Causes & triggers

Genetics, as well as a family history of eczema, are risk factors for atopic dermatitis. If you have food allergies or hay fever, you may develop a skin condition called dermatitis on the face.

2. Seborrheic dermatitis

Although atopic dermatitis is a common form of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis is a common type of eczema on the face. Seborrheic dermatitis may also affect the scalp and chest. It’s triggered by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia.

You are likely to have redness around your eyebrows, ears, and hair. It can be developed in both babies and adults. It is known as a cradle cap in babies and lasts until about 6 months old.

There can be sberrheic dermatitis on the skin. People with the skin disease, Dandruff, can have this type of irritation.

Causes & triggers

Flares can be caused by several factors. When exposed to sun and high humidity, your skin may become more sensitive.

3. Irritant contact dermatitis

The products you use on your face can cause a variety of skin irritations. These include facial washes, exfoliant creams, makeup, and sunscreen.

Irritant contact dermatitis affects people of all ages, including babies. Your baby might have this type of dermatitis if they’re sensitive to lotion or baby wipes. Some babies also have irritant contact dermatitis around their mouth due to excessive moisture from drooling.

Causes & triggers

Irritant contact dermatitis can be caused by certain ingredients and fragrances in cosmetics.

4. Allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis differs from irritant contact dermatitis, as the former is an allergic response on the face.

If you have an allergy to an ingredient in a skin-care product, your immune system will respond. This causes allergy symptoms like redness and dry skin.

Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis can affect other parts of the body.

Causes & triggers

You might have an itch after using certain skin care products on the face, hair dyes, makeup, nail polish, and even after wearing jewelry.

If you’re allergic to nickel, earrings made from this metal might also cause a reaction. Symptoms might start around your ear and spread to other parts of your face.

5. Light sensitive eczema

If you are sensitive to sunlight and humidity, you can develop an allergy to it.

Light sensitive eczema is common in children but also affects adults.

When high blood pressure medicines are used, symptoms can be temporary. Your skin might improve once you stop taking these drugs. Light sensitive eczema is a chronic condition for some.

Causes & triggers

In humid conditions, redness, dryness, and itchiness may increase. Staying indoors during hot, humid weather may improve symptoms.

There are images of facial eczema on people.

The different types of facial eczema respond to the same treatments.

Keep your skin moisturized

To relieve symptoms, keep your skin hydrated. This helps reduce skin irritation.

Use moisturizers that treat eczema

Look for moisturizers that treat the skin condition. These include products with ingredients that help with skin irritation and barrier. You can apply an over-the-counter cream to treat itching.

Identify and avoid products that cause irritation

You can also treat facial eczema by identifying triggers and removing the source of irritation. Keep in mind that labeling a product as “sensitive” doesn’t mean that it can’t cause irritation.

Choosing a makeup and skin care product that is free of perfumes andalleges can reduce the risk of irritation.

Apply sunscreen when outdoors

Applying sunscreen to your face helps treat and prevent light sensitive eczema.

See a doctor if OTC moisturizers don’t work

“After cleansing your face, apply a hydrating product twice a day. If you have facial eczema, you should see a doctor if you don’t respond to self-treatment.”

Your doctor might recommend other therapies.

  • The prescription is to reduce inflammation.
  • A prescription for an allergy medication.
  • Light therapy.
  • There are drugs called biologics.
  • crisaborole is a steroid-free product.
  • tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are immune modulators.

There are some things you can do to prevent facial eczema.

  • Twice a day, apply a cream to your face.
  • Avoid products that make your skin itch.
  • “Don’t apply makeup during a flare. This can cause irritation to the symptoms of the disease.”
  • Wear sunscreen to protect against the heat and humidity.
  • Use products that are free of perfumes.
  • Rub your skin with a soft towel, but Pat your face dry with a soft towel.
  • If you treat other allergy symptoms, you could make facial eczema worse.

Eczema is a lifelong condition with many flares. Symptoms might go away and come back later. Some people can get rid of the skin condition with age.

“Even if your eczema doesn’t completely disappear, treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms and decrease the number of flares.”

“If self-treatment and over-the-counter products aren’t resolving your facial eczema, see a doctor.”