Only a small proportion of affected animals might display the skin lesions commonly associated with the disease, however, the real impact arising from liver damage.
There is no effective treatment for the liver once it has been damaged, although it is able to recover itself if the damage is not extensive.
Preventive measures include sowing specific grasses and feed crops, reducing reliance on rye grass, encouraging earth worms, rotating stock, reducing stock numbers and grazing shady, south-facing paddocks or those open to dry prevailing winds.
Visible symptoms of clinical facial eczema include sudden death, restlessness, shaking and rubbing heads against posts and gates, avoiding direct sunlight, drooping and reddened ears, swollen eyes, eyes and exposed areas develop weeping, scabby skin that may become infected or fly-blown.