Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes patches of inflamed, scaly, flaky skin. It’s most likely to affect your elbows, knees, or scalp, but psoriasis can affect any part of your body. About 10-12% of people with psoriasis will have symptoms that affect their eyes, including psoriasis on their eyelids.
People tend to develop psoriasis near their eyes after they’ve already developed it on other parts of their skin, such as near their elbows and knees.
Symptoms of psoriasis around your eyes and on the eyelid may include:
- Raised reddish, scaly bumps on or near your eyelids
- Crusting or flaking on your eyelashes
- Eyelid swelling
- Eye redness, dryness, itching, burning, or tearing
- Vision problems
Psoriasis on the eyes and eyelids is often associated with other eye conditions. For example, people with psoriasis symptoms on or near their eyes may experience:
- Dry eye syndrome
- Blepharitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the eyelid
- Conjunctivitis, which is when the white of your eye becomes red and inflamed
Psoriasis occurs when your immune system becomes overactive and causes your body to produce too many skin cells. This overproduction of skin cells results in many symptoms of psoriasis, including psoriasis plaques and inflamed, scaly skin.
Experts don’t fully understand why some people experience this immune system reaction, but the cause likely involves a combination of genetics and environmental triggers. Many people with psoriasis have family members who also have it.
In general, factors that may increase your risk of psoriasis include:
- Certain infections, like HIV and strep
- Some medications
- A history of smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol overuse
- Skin injuries or other skin traumas
- Weather changes
- Dietary triggers
If you have psoriasis symptoms on your eyelid, it’s important to see a healthcare provider right away. Untreated psoriasis on or near your eyes can lead to complications, including vision loss.
Healthcare professionals who treat psoriasis of the eye include primary care providers, dermatologists (doctors who specialize in treating the skin), and ophthalmologists (doctors who specialize in treating the eye). Your provider will likely do a thorough examination of your eyes and provide an individualized plan of treatment for you.
Psoriasis treatment usually involves medication, at-home remedies, or a combination of the two. You can help treat psoriasis on your eyelid with options such as:
- Warm compresses
- Eyelid massages
- Eyelid scrubs
- Eyelid cleansers
- Lubricant eye drops
- Antibiotic ointments
- Topical (on the skin) steroids
When applying medications near your eye, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully. This can help you avoid irritation and reduce the risk of other eye problems. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about following your psoriasis treatment.
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that can resemble psoriasis. Eczema near your eyes and eyelids may be more common than eyelid psoriasis. Here’s how to help tell the difference.
Eyelid Psoriasis
Eyelid Eczema
Color
Reddish, purplish, or discolored skin, sometimes with silvery scale on top
Reddish, brown, or discolored skin
Texture
Scaly or flaky
Scaly or flaky
Border
Rashes are in clearly defined patches
Rashes don’t have clear border
Cause
An overactive immune reaction that leads to skin overgrowth and buildup
Contact with an allergen or irritating substance
Itch
May be mild or feel more like burning or stinging
May be more severe
If you aren’t sure whether your eyelid symptoms may be due to eczema or psoriasis, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, or primary care provider. Eczema and psoriasis have some similar treatments, but they can vary. It’s important to get treatment specifically for the skin condition you have.
Symptoms of psoriasis on the eyelids include eye or skin redness, skin crusting or flaking, itchiness, burning, and eyelid swelling. If you have symptoms of psoriasis on your eyelids, face, or anywhere else, visit a healthcare provider so that they can properly diagnose you and prescribe a treatment plan tailored to your condition and individual needs.
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Sedghi T, Torre K, Suchecki J, Rothe M. The ocular and periocular involvement of psoriasis. Clinics in Dermatology. 2023;41(4):515-522. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2023.08.008
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Psoriasis.
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