Skin changes on your face are quite natural that develops as you age. Acne breakouts are common as a teenager, skin becomes dry in middle age, while wrinkles and fine lines appear with every passing year. Another change that can develop on your face is small, white bumps called chicken skin. Although chicken skin under the eyes is not a cause for concern, as these bumps are most often caused due to build-up in your pores.  However, if the bumps are irritating or worsening seek immediate medical care.
  

Causes For Chicken Skin Under Eyes

The common causes of chicken skin under the eyes include:

Allergic Reaction

Allergies can be the root cause of a variety of symptoms on the skin. One common symptom of allergic reaction is bumps or hives that may be itching and irritating, which can also make the skin inflamed.

Tiny white bumps may develop due to an allergic reaction caused by applying a beauty product. These bumps are filled with pus and redness. Most allergies will settle on their own without any treatment, but you should avoid using food or product that caused the reaction.

Milia

Small, white bumps that appear on the skin are called milia, which mostly show up under the eyes and cheeks. It is caused by a build-up of keratin in the skin pores. Keratin is a hair protein that the body uses to promote hair growth. When keratin gets clogged up in facial pores tiny bumps form with the appearance of chicken skin. Milia are common in children and babies but can also develop in adults.

Also Read:  Milia: Try These Proven Ways To Get Rid Of These Milk Spots On Skin                              

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris is not a serious condition but can be irritating and commonly called chicken skin, which results in patches of rough and raised bumps. This condition is caused by a building up of dead skin cells inside hair follicles and bumps appear white. It can develop anywhere a hair follicle is present including eyes, face, arms and legs.

Also Read: Keratosis Pilaris: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment   

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that may develop when you have chicken skin under the eyes include:

Redness or discolouration around the bumps

Itchy skin

Irritation

Dry skin

White bumps

Seek medical care if you notice any uncomfortable symptoms like

Burning sensation around bumps

Pus oozing

Red or discoloured, itchy rashes

Swelling around the bumps

Diagnosis

The dermatologist will completely examine the affected regions of skin. Based on the analysis the dermatologist will identify the cause of chicken bumps. If the diagnosis is unclear, the doctor may send the skin sample for biopsy and further lab examinations. These tests can help the dermatologist rule out the risk of any infection or skin cancer.

Treatment

The dermatologist may suggest treatment options that are more intensive and may take a few weeks or months for the skin condition to settle. However, most treatment will only help to ease the appearance of the bumps and there is no cure for conditions like keratosis pilaris or milia.

Medical Management

Microdermabrasion is a deep exfoliating treatment that speeds up cell turnover and clears off dead skin cells that are clogging the pores.

Chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that also works as an exfoliator and helps in the regeneration of new skin cells.

Deroofing is a procedure where the dermatologist uses a sterile needle to remove milia.

Cryotherapy is a procedure where the milia on the face are frozen using liquid nitrogen and then removed. However, this method may risky, if the bumps are close to the eyes.

Retinol Cream (vitamin A) is prescribed, and when applied on the affected regions of skin it helps in speeding up the cell turnover and prevents building-up of the dead skin cells.

Prevention

Chicken skin under the eyes can be prevented by following certain skin care routines:

Cleaning and exfoliating the skin regularly helps to improve the cell turnover and avert the build-up of pores that can lead to chicken skin.

Applying a night cream with vitamin A and E may help in the regeneration of new skin cells and hydrates and nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes.

Never pick or poke the bumps, as this can worsen the skin conditions or even cause an infection.