If you’ve noticed an extra crease under your eyes, it may be an eczema sign called a Dennie-Morgan fold, and it has nothing to do with getting older. It’s a well-known clue that shows up in people with eczema and other allergic conditions, and once you know what it is, it’s easy to spot.
What It Looks Like
A Dennie-Morgan fold is a second line of skin that runs parallel to your lower eyelid, creating a “double eyelid” look underneath the eye. It usually shows up on both sides. Doctors also call it an infraorbital fold or an atopic pleat.
Kids tend to get them first. Many people have them from early childhood, and they can become more noticeable with age, even after the eczema itself has calmed down.
Why It Shows Up With Eczema
These folds aren’t caused by a loss of collagen the way regular wrinkles are. They’re linked to what doctors call atopy, a built-in tendency toward allergic reactions. If eczema, asthma, or hay fever runs in your family, you’re more likely to have them.
The skin under your eyes is thin and sensitive. When it’s inflamed, swollen, or rubbed again and again (a very common habit with itchy eyes), that skin can end up forming an extra fold. One older study found that of people with eczema on the lower eyelid, 83% had the fold. Only 7% of people without lower eyelid eczema did.
How It’s Different From Regular Wrinkles
| Dennie-Morgan Folds | Age-Related Under-Eye Lines | |
|---|---|---|
| What causes them | Atopy and eyelid inflammation, rubbing, swelling | Natural loss of collagen and elastin over time |
| When they appear | Often in childhood | Usually adulthood |
| Where they sit | A distinct second crease below the lower lid | Fine lines scattered below the eye |
| Linked to | Eczema, asthma, hay fever | Aging, sun exposure |
| Other clues | Dark circles, itchy or swollen eyelids | Usually none |
Here’s the Honest Part
Doctors still debate how useful this sign really is. Some studies have found it in a large majority of people with eczema, while others found it far less often, and one study found it wasn’t helpful for diagnosis at all.
It also isn’t exclusive to eczema. It shows up in people with asthma or hay fever who don’t have eczema, and in other types of eyelid dermatitis. So having an extra crease doesn’t prove you have eczema, and not having one doesn’t rule it out. It also varies between groups of people, and researchers have noted it can look different across skin tones.
Dark Circles Often Come Along for the Ride
Many people with this extra crease also have darker skin under the eyes, sometimes called “allergic shiners.” The skin there can swell and darken when you’re dealing with allergies or irritation. That’s one reason this area can look tired even when you feel fine.
Can You Get Rid of It?
The fold itself tends to be permanent once it has formed, but the irritation that deepens it is something you can calm down. That means:
- Keep the eyelid skin moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free product. Dermasolve’s Eczema Cream is one option for the skin around the eye. Keep it just off the lash line, and patch test first since this skin is so reactive. We also cover how to pick a moisturizer for this delicate spot here.
- Try not to rub your eyes. It’s a hard habit to break, but constant rubbing keeps this skin inflamed.
- Treat any active eyelid eczema with what your dermatologist recommends for that area.
- Manage your allergies, since itchy, watery eyes lead straight to rubbing.
When to See a Dermatologist
- Your child has new creases under the eyes along with dry, itchy patches
- You’re dealing with swollen, red, or flaky eyelids that won’t clear up
- You’re not sure whether the creases are related to eczema, allergies, or something else
- Eyelid irritation keeps coming back despite a gentle routine
An extra crease under the eyes is harmless on its own. Think of it as a little clue your skin leaves behind, rather than something that needs fixing.
Mike Marenick is the founder of HealFast Skincare and holds the patent for his invention, Ovasome Technology, used in skincare formulations. He began developing skincare products after watching his mother manage psoriasis for decades, and has spent over twenty years formulating treatments for chronic skin conditions. His work has been featured on Home Shopping Network, in two national infomercials, and in more than 300 publications including Vogue, Newsweek, and Allure. He is not a medical doctor — always consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.
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