Eczema on the Face: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

An eczema rash can pop up anywhere on the body. But it can be especially uncomfortable, painful, and itchy when it appears on the face. That's because facial skin is especially sensitive. The rash, which is red, dry, and flaky, can also even blister.

Facial eczema can appear on its own or alongside eczema on the body. And while some people have it only occasionally, others deal with it on a more consistent basis.

 Verywell / Lara Antal

Facial eczema is quite common in babies and toddlers, but it can appear in people of any age.

This article explains the types and causes of facial eczema and how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

Eczema is actually a term for a group of conditions that cause itchy, red, and inflamed skin rashes. The types of eczema that are most likely to appear on the face are:

Although they are slightly different, all types of eczema have similar symptoms, including:

Pan Xunbin / Getty Images

The skin may also feel sore and raw during a flare-up. If eczema (on the face or elsewhere) lasts long, the skin can eventually become thick, discolored, or scarred.

Nearly 30 million people live with eczema in the United States, and it impacts everyone differently. Some people may experience minor flare-ups, where their skin becomes mildly itchy. For others, flare-ups involve severe itching, dryness or oozing, and bleeding.

When eczema occurs on the face, it often affects the skin around the eyes or eyelids (particularly in adults). Eczema that develops near the eyes needs special attention because the eyes themselves can be affected.

Those with eczema around the eyes are more susceptible to certain eye problems such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), inflamed cornea, and changes in the shape of the cornea (a condition called keratoconus).

Early treatment can help prevent eye problems from getting worse. Untreated, complications from eczema around the eye can cause vision loss. See a healthcare provider if you have problems such as:

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), healthcare providers don't know exactly what causes eczema. But there are a few things that seem to contribute to its development. These factors include:

The skin on your face is especially delicate. It is, therefore, more susceptible to irritation. According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), some general triggers that could lead to a flare-up of eczema include:

When it comes to eczema on the face, pay special attention to anything that comes in contact with your skin. Sensitivities to makeup, facial masks, toners, cleansers, and other facial products may be eczema triggers.

There is no specific test used to diagnose eczema. Instead, your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and medical history and examine your skin.

If needed, patch testing, a skin scraping/KOH test, or a skin biopsy may be done to help with the diagnosis. Knowing what type of eczema you have will help your healthcare provider come up with the proper treatment.

Eczema, in some cases, can be mistaken for other similar-looking conditions:

Although there’s no cure for eczema, there are plenty of treatment options to make living with this condition more manageable. That said, keep in mind the sensitivity of facial skin as you consider which treatment may be best.

If your eczema is mild, you may be able to keep it under control with good skincare practices and consistent moisturizing. In many cases, however, medications are needed.

Before treating a baby or toddler, be sure to get advice from your child's pediatrician. Facial eczema is common in young children and may not need to be treated at all.

Newer treatments for atopic dermatitis are JAK inhibitors, including Cibinqo (abrocitinib) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cibinqo for the treatment of adults with refractory moderate to severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with other medications, and Rinvoq for children ages 12 years and older. Both of these medications are taken by mouth daily and work by blocking pathways that cause many of the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including inflammation and itching.

Good, gentle care of your skin is the most important aspect of treating facial eczema. Use only cosmetics that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic (that is, are less likely to trigger allergies). Here are some things to keep in mind:

Topical steroids are common treatments for eczema of the body. But for delicate facial skin, you must use them with care. Healthcare providers often prefer OTC 1% hydrocortisone cream, as it poses less risk of thinning the skin and changes to skin color than more potent creams.

With your healthcare provider's OK, the cream can be used short-term (less than four weeks) to ease itching and redness. Hydrocortisone should not be used around the eyes.

Elidel and Protopic are medications that are commonly used to treat facial eczema. Since they are non-steroidal medications, they do not cause thinning of the skin. Therefore, you can safely use them around the eyes and on the eyelids.

When these aren't successful, phototherapy may be the next step. Phototherapy uses a device to shine ultraviolet B (UVB) light onto the skin. This reduces itching and inflammation, boosts vitamin D production, and enhances the body's natural ability to fight bacteria on the skin.

Having eczema can be frustrating. But there are steps you can take to ease the burden of this skin condition.

The itching that accompanies eczema can be extreme. Sometimes the itching is so bad that it interferes with your ability to sleep or carry on with your normal daily activities. Antihistamines and damp, cooling cloths placed over the itchy area can help in some cases.

If your itching is severe, ask your healthcare provider about the best ways to manage the itch.

Because facial eczema is easy for others to see, many people feel embarrassed during a flare-up. As a result, you may feel less self-confident or withdraw from social situations.

Reach out to supportive family and friends. Finding people who understand can also do wonders for your mental outlook. You can ask your healthcare provider if any local support groups meet near you or check out online options like those offered through the NEA.

Facial eczema is a red, flakey, itchy rash that appears on the face. The rash may crack or turn into blisters that bleed or ooze.

While a cause is unknown, certain things like allergies, asthma, and a family history of eczema may increase your risk of developing the condition. Eczema flare-ups are often triggered by exposure to chemicals, fragrances, heat, allergens, and stress.

There is no cure for eczema. However, many treatments can help you manage your eczema and prevent flare-ups. Keeping your skin moist, avoiding triggers, using medications, and phototherapy are all effective treatment options.

When you live with facial eczema, it can feel like your face takes center stage. To keep your symptoms in check, schedule regular visits with a dermatologist.

You may find that as the seasons change, and as you age, your skin's needs may vary. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which medications and therapies are best for you. They can also let you know about at-home options to control symptoms and help you develop the best skincare routine to help keep flare-ups at bay.

Eczema is a very common condition that affects over 31 million people in the United States. About one out of every 10 people will develop eczema at some point in their lives.

Infants and young children cannot take the same medications as adults, which means that eczema must be treated differently. Home remedies can help soothe symptoms such as avoiding scratchy fabrics, using fragrance-free laundry detergent, and keeping mittens on babies to prevent scratching. There are also some creams and moisturizers that can help with eczema symptoms in babies and young children.

Eczema usually begins during infancy or childhood before the age of 5, but it can develop in people of any age.