Dry eyelids are often uncomfortable for those affected because the skin on the upper edge of the eyelid is susceptible. Dry skin can also cause itching. The causes of the development of dry eyelids can be varied.

Allergy – a cause of dry eyelids

Dry eyelids can occur as part of an allergy, for example, in the case of hypersensitivity reactions to pollen, grass, trees or ingredients in cosmetics and care products.

If they are an expression of an allergic reaction, the eyelids are often not only dry but also characterised by severe itching and burning. The skin of the eyelids is often red, swollen, scaly and sensitive to pain.

An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to foreign substances that are not disease-causing, which are wrongly fought with an immune response and inflammatory reaction.

Reaction to ingredients in makeup – a cause of dry eyelids

Dry eyelids can also be the result of a reaction or hypersensitivity reaction to certain ingredients in cosmetics used when applying makeup: Fragrances and preservatives contained in make-up and cosmetics, in particular, can irritate the sensitive skin on the face and eyes/eyelids and lead to hypersensitivity reactions.

These can be seen as a kind of allergic reaction to the product in question, whereby the immune system recognizes the ingredients as foreign and fights them with a more or less solid inflammatory response: the consequences can vary in severity – from dry skin and dry eyelids to inflamed, red, sometimes burning, itchy skin.

Fungal infection – a cause of dry eyelids

Dry eyelids can also be related to a fungal infection in that body area. If this is the case, it is an infection with a skin fungus, which may also occur in the size of ​​the eyelids, here possibly in the area of ​​the eyelashes, and can cause slight skin inflammation. In the site of ​​the eyelashes, the fungus affects the hair follicles and the hair follicle and spreads from there.

The skin of the eyelids is then usually reddish and flakes easily, appearing relatively dry, but sometimes it may also be a little weeping due to the appearance of small blisters that can burst. Accompanying itching is by no means rare.