Why Are My Eyebrows Itchy?

Having itchy eyebrows is undoubtedly uncomfortable and somewhat unusual, but most of the time, it isn’t a cause for serious concern. The most common skin conditions that lead to itchy eyebrows usually go away with time or are easily controlled by simple treatments or small lifestyle changes.

Read this blog, to discover the most common causes for your itchy brows and how to treat them.

Why are my Eyebrows so Itchy?

Your right eyebrow suddenly starts to itch, and you think back to what your grandma told you about an itchy right eyebrow–it might be because someone is saying good things about you!

But in reality, your itch might be more than just a superstition. There may be a practical and fixable reason behind that itch. Understanding the real reason behind your itchy eyebrows will help you soothe the itching and irritation faster. 

Here’s what might be causing you the itch:

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by an autoimmune imbalance and generally manifests as thick, red patches of skin with silvery scales or flakes that can sometimes be itchy or irritated. While psoriasis can show up all over the body, it can also cause a tell-tale rash on the following body areas: 

• Eyebrows
• Forehead
• Hairline
• The skin between the upper lip and nose.

Psoriasis can come and go at different ages in the form of flare-ups because of the following conditions. 

• Stress
• Diet
• Medications
• Skin injury
• Infection

Treatment

The best way to treat or manage this severe skin condition is to try a careful skincare regimen, avoid triggers, and consult a physician who can prescribe medications like Topical steroids, Oral immunosuppressants, Biologics, Retinoids, and Phototherapy.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis on eyebrows, also known as eyebrow dermatitis, is a common cause of itchy eyebrows. Seborrheic dermatitis causes red, patchy, scaly, and itchy rashes on the skin. Besides itching, other symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Burning
• Patches of white or yellow skin 
• Crusty and flaky skin
• Irritation
• Redness
• Greasy skin

Treatment

Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by the overproduction of sebum and Malassezia yeast on the scalp, so controlling it can help reduce flakes, scales, and irritation. The best way to treat it is to use a medicated shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis that contains pyrithione zinc as an active ingredient two to three times a week. 

In severe cases, if an anti-seborrheic dermatitis shampoo is not helping much, a doctor may prescribe topical antifungals, topical steroids, or prescription non-steroidal topical anti-inflammatory medications along with it. 

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that appears when the skin comes into contact with something irritating. Metals in jewelry, harsh chemicals in skincare products, fragrances, and some foods, commonly cause contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is characterized by irritated, itchy, flaky, and dry skin. These same symptoms can also show up on the eyebrows, leading to itchy eyebrows if the area comes into contact with eyebrow piercings, body wash or shampoo with harsh chemicals, or any other irritating trigger.

Treatment

The best way to soothe itchy, dry eyebrows caused by contact dermatitis is by following a proper eczema skincare routine and avoiding the trigger. Your skincare routine should include the use of an eczema shampoo and body wash to cleanse the skin at least once daily and an eczema cream to keep the skin moisturized. 

In many cases, a doctor may prescribe the use of oral antihistamines and topical steroids along with a proper skincare routine. 

Eyebrow Cosmetic Services

Some of us are just born with eyebrows that look great, while others have to do a few things like plucking, waxing, and threading. These beauty treatments can cause itching, redness, inflammation, bumps, and dry, flaky skin around eyebrows. 

While these symptoms usually go away after a few hours or days, they can persist if the skin is extra sensitive or the product is too harsh. Avoid or change eyebrow cosmetic services to prevent future itching.

Treatment

If the irritation is bothering you, then you can use a cold compress to soothe it. Apply an ice pack for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day or until you start feeling better. 

Dandruff

Dandruff on the eyebrows is another cause of itchy flaky eyebrows. Dandruff’s main symptoms are white flakes accumulating in the hair and eyebrows and lots of itching. The exact cause of dandruff can vary from person to person, but the most common causes are:

• Not enough shampooing
• Malassezia yeast
• Overactive oil glands

While none of these causes of itchy eyebrows are particularly severe all on their own, they can get worse if left untreated. This is especially true for children with extra sensitive young skin and can’t control their scratching.

Treatment

Although the itching and flakes may be bothersome, treating dandruff is easy, and you can do this at home. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo two to three times a week. 

It is best to choose a dandruff shampoo that also pairs as a body wash and face wash and is free from skin-irritating chemicals such as fragrance, paraben, and sulfate. This way, you can easily use it on your eyebrows without worrying that it will irritate your facial skin. 

Shingles

Shingles is an infection that can cause a painful red rash on the skin and face. It is also known as herpes zoster, and it is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

People who have experienced chickenpox before are the only ones prone to developing it.

It usually causes intense itching and tingling sensation on the face, body, and even eyebrows, one to five days before the rash actually starts to appear. Some other common symptoms of this condition are:

• Headache
• Fever
• Chills
• Stomach aches
• Nausea

Treatment

For the treatment of shingles, it is best to consult a doctor who will prescribe the use of oral antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and valacyclovir. 

Diabetes

People who have diabetes are more likely to experience skin conditions instead of healthy individuals. Some of the common skin issues they experience are:

• Dry skin
• Folliculitis
• Fungal infection

Especially if diabetes is not controlled properly, then high blood sugar can depress the immune system and cause poor circulation of blood in the body, which causes intense itching on different parts of the body, including the eyebrows. 

Treatment

The best way to prevent common skin issues is by controlling your blood sugar levels and keeping the skin moisturized with a fragrance-free moisturizing cream for sensitive skin. 

Lice

Head lice, medically known as Pediculus humanus capitis are mostly found on the scalp. However, they can be found on other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows and eyelashes. 

Adult lice are less likely to be found on the eyebrows, but nits and lice eggs can easily make it their home and cause itchy skin.

Treatment 

If you are experiencing lice on the eyebrows, it is best to consult a doctor. They may prescribe 1% permethrin lotion, or topical spinosad, to be used on the eyebrows to help you get rid of the lice and nits. 

How to Treat Itchy Eyebrows?

The treatment of itchy eyebrows depends on its root cause. The first step is identifying what is causing your itchy skin and treating that underlying skin condition to get rid of the itch. However, here are a few other things that you can do to soothe the itching and irritation:

• Keep your eyebrows clean with the help of a face wash.
• Keep the skin moisturized to prevent dryness and worsening of the condition.
• Don’t scratch your skin. It will only make the condition worse and can also lead to rashes and infection. 
• If the itching is intense, you can use a cold compress to soothe it or consult a doctor who may prescribe hydrocortisone cream. 

If the itchy skin is caused by dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis on the eyebrows, then you can use a Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash, which is specially formulated to fight back against the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis on the eyebrows without being too harsh on the skin.

A shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione as an active ingredient, can help control the production of Malassezia yeast and reduce the flaking, irritation, and scaling of seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and cradle cap.

Conclusion

Itchy eyebrows are usually not caused by something very serious and can be easily treated at home or with the help of a doctor. Some common causes for itchy eyebrows are seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, beauty treatments, and diabetes.

The best way to prevent these skin conditions and itching is by keeping your eyebrows clean with a gentle face wash and if the skin becomes dry keep it moisturized with a moisturizing face cream.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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