A Vent - The Dry, Flakey Skin Around My Eyes is Driving Me Crazy!

[CookieDiva]

Yes, I know that I should see a medical professional about this - probably a dermatologist to be specific. And I have done lots of reading about this on line. But for now, I am just venting.

For the past several months, I have been developing dry patches. First on my left eye lid. Then a patch by my nose. Then all over my left eye lid and to the outer corner, then the inner corner. Now it is on the right lid and on the outer corner. It is flaky and feels chapped.

At first, I just thought that it was dry skin from the dry winter air. But from what I have been reading, it sounds like it could be allergies to make up or just about ANYTHING. It could be eczema. It could be psoriasis. It could be a fungal infection. Or none of the above.

I could discontinue all of my eye make up (only mascara - the brand I have used for years). Or I could discontinue ALL make up. Or I could use moisturizers that have no scents or additives (aren't we supposed to use moisturizers that have SPF in them?) I could try hydro cortisone creams, or triple antibiotic creams, or antifungal creams. Or none of the above.

No matter what it is, it sounds like it will be trial and error to get rid of it, if I CAN get rid of it.

Wah, wah, wah. (I know, I need to put on my big girl pants and DEAL.) If you have dealt with this, what have YOU done and did it work? Thanks for listening.

 

[hulagirl87]

I actually went to a dermatologist for this very reason. I had dry flaky skin at the corners of my eyes and it was making makeup look really dry and cracked. She gave me Elidel, a cream to put on it. It kind of works. At least it's better than it was. Just a tip though, don't try to use regular face lotion anywhere near your eyes. I made that mistake and ended up with an eye infection and had to use a steroid cream to clear it up. Man, the pharmacy loved me!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go to the doctor, regular is fine.

You are not really supposed to use any of those treatments on your eyes.

Also your makeup is infected and you will need to get all new. But don't get all new and then use it without getting rid of your condition.

At the same time I would not use any of your current eye makeup at all.

Not what you want to hear but your issue sounds pretty bad to need a doctor visit and some prescription cream.

 

[powellrj]

I know it sounds strange, but I had the same problem and when I went to the doctor and he told me that I was allergic to fingernail polish. I stopped wearing fingernail polish and the problem was gone.

 

[mamamary]

Are you itchy? I get eczema off and on - luckily mostly off - and it's pretty itchy/red/sometimes flaky. I see a dermatologist and he gave me a prescription cream - or you can try hydrocortisone.

As an aside, when I went to the eye doctor at the beginning of the week he told me I had blepharitis (not even sure of the spelling). Apparently it's very common and it has to do with dry skin near the eyelashes. It can cause the eye area to get irritated. Leave it to me to get something weird like that.

 

[CookieDiva]

I actually went to a dermatologist for this very reason. I had dry flaky skin at the corners of my eyes and it was making makeup look really dry and cracked. She gave me Elidel, a cream to put on it. It kind of works. At least it's better than it was. Just a tip though, don't try to use regular face lotion anywhere near your eyes. I made that mistake and ended up with an eye infection and had to use a steroid cream to clear it up. Man, the pharmacy loved me!

This sounds very similar to what I am going through. I try not to get any moisturizer near my eyes due to irritation. But then I keep thinking that I need SOME kind of moisture there. Vaseline. Guess that's a thought.

Go to the doctor, regular is fine.

You are not really supposed to use any of those treatments on your eyes.

See, that's the danger of researching on the internet. I have read item after item saying that doctors have recommended those things.

Not what you want to hear but your issue sounds pretty bad to need a doctor visit and some prescription cream.

No, I know that it's what I need to do. Just wanted to whine a bit before I get there.

I know it sounds strange, but I had the same problem and when I went to the doctor and he told me that I was allergic to fingernail polish. I stopped wearing fingernail polish and the problem was gone.

I wish that mine would be that easy. But I rarely if ever wear fingernail polish. I do have some very old stuff on my toe nails. I will remove it - just in case.

Are you itchy? I get eczema off and on - luckily mostly off - and it's pretty itchy/red/sometimes flaky. I see a dermatologist and he gave me a prescription cream - or you can try hydrocortisone.

As an aside, when I went to the eye doctor at the beginning of the week he told me I had blepharitis (not even sure of the spelling). Apparently it's very common and it has to do with dry skin near the eyelashes. It can cause the eye area to get irritated. Leave it to me to get something weird like that.

I saw the term blepharitis quite often in my research. But I did not know that it has to do with being close the eyelashes. My patches seem to be on the skin over my brow bone and the corners of my eyes. And this one by my nose. I feel like a prune.

 

[V for Vendetta]

I use aquaphor healing ointment

I purchased mine at CVS, but I'm sure other drug stores carry it.

My skin is VERY sensitive- I can't stand that it feels like vaseline, BUT it keeps my face from getting dry and flaky like that. If I don't use it, I end up with the same problems you have- I can't stand it when my eyelids get like that- it HURTS.

Anyway- I hope this helps!!!!!

 

[CookieDiva]

Thanks 'V.' I saw that product mentioned a number of times while researching on the internet. But I did not know that it was a specific product, I thought that it was a kind of moisturizer. I think that I may have to give that a try. I know that my friend used to use Eucerin on her son's eczema per directions by her doctor.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I've had blepharitis several times, as has my Dad and daughter. Must be some family thing! Anyhoo, both my regular doc and my eye doc said to scrub the eyelid gently with Johnson's baby shampoo twice a day and no makeup until it's healed.

They also make little disposable eye scrubber pads that they sell at the pharmacy. They have the soap built right in!! Works excellent!

 

[CookieDiva]

Anyhoo, both my regular doc and my eye doc said to scrub the eyelid gently with Johnson's baby shampoo twice a day and no makeup until it's healed.

Someone very close to me told me the very same thing!

They also make little disposable eye scrubber pads that they sell at the pharmacy. They have the soap built right in!! Works excellent!

I will have to look for these as well when I am off to purchase the Aquaphor.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Cookie, try the techniques above and see if it helps. When mine just starts up I have used something similiar to have it go away.

You do have to throw out your old eye makeup though.

In fact you might be throwing out alot if till you get it healed.

 

[CookieDiva]

You do have to throw out your old eye makeup though.

I'll be sure to do that. Actually, I think that I may avoid it altogether for awhile in hopes that things will improve.

AND I need to talk to the Dr. about this as well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'll be sure to do that. Actually, I think that I may avoid it altogether for awhile in hopes that things will improve.

AND I need to talk to the Dr. about this as well.

Yea. I had to avoid makeup for many yrs because of this issue. It really stunk.

I think I didn't really wear too much eyeshadow for about 20yrs. I would just wear eyeliner and mascara.

However with the advent of the Bare Minerals, I started to try makeup again and have been ok.

A few flareups but I did use some creams and was careful.

It is a PITA to have. My skin is bad so just another thing to put up with.

 

[TW27]

I have battled eczema since I was very little and have to second aquaphor! It has worked wonders on my skin- much better than most prescription topicals! It is very greasy - so little goes a long way!

Also, my derm recomends that I wash with a mild cleanser (like cetaphil) and warm water. Hot water and plain soap can be very drying and cause more harm than good to your skin.

Good luck!

 

[CookieDiva]

Also, my derm recomends that I wash with a mild cleanser (like cetaphil) and warm water. Hot water and plain soap can be very drying and cause more harm than good to your skin.

I am pretty sure that I used to use cetaphil YEARS ago, when I was a teenager and was trying to have beautiful skin. I will definitely put it on my skin rehab shopping list.

 

[goofyernmost]

I had a problem many years ago...30 something...I had random red blotches on my body, my eye lids and eye lashes were all dry and flaky and my eye lids got all sticky, gooky (these are all medical terms) to the point where I had trouble opening my eyes in the morning.

There were many opinions about what it was, but this old country doctor took one look at it and wrote me a prescription for a super brand of Selsun shampoo. It was dandruff. None like I had ever seen before, but that's all it took. A few shampoo's with the stuff and everything cleared up and never returned. Who knew?

Of course, in later years I did a self help way of keeping my dandruff down by forcing a large section of my hair to fall out. No more dandruff for me, although I do tend toward cradle cap.

 

[CookieDiva]

Of course, in later years I did a self help way of keeping my dandruff down by forcing a large section of my hair to fall out. No more dandruff for me

Well, how ingenuous of you! I'm so impressed.

But back to your original "cure." It IS interesting, because now that I think about it, I have a patch of dry skin on the base of my skull. And the insides of my ears - itchy and scaly too. (OK, TMI for some of you, I'm sure. Can you imagine being a medical professional and listening to this stuff all of the time?) Like I said before, I feel like a died up old prune. Wonder if it IS that same as what you were suffering from?

 

[dismom2]

I use aquaphor healing ointment

I purchased mine at CVS, but I'm sure other drug stores carry it.

My skin is VERY sensitive- I can't stand that it feels like vaseline, BUT it keeps my face from getting dry and flaky like that. If I don't use it, I end up with the same problems you have- I can't stand it when my eyelids get like that- it HURTS.

Anyway- I hope this helps!!!!!

My DD got really dry, flaking patches on her face that would not go away. I took her to a doctor and they just gave her little tubes of Aquaphor to put on it, and told me to get her a a gentle facial wash---the brand name is at the tip of my tongue and I can't spit it out! I think it's in a green bottle---been around for ages. I actually bought the generic brand of it and it worked fine. It's just really gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Eventually it cleared up and has not come back. Hers was not on her eyelid, though, so I'm not sure you can apply these things to that area.

 

[MomToARedhead]

I had something similar a few years back. I did not have health insurance at the time so I did not get medical treatment for it. I stopped using any form of makeup and I religiously exfoliated and moisturized with a lotion I'd used on my face for years, so I was pretty sure that was not the problem. One day after probably 3-4 months, it just disappeared and I've never had the problem since. The peeling, chapped skin was really painful. I hope you can find the right solution and that it goes away for you soon.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, how ingenuous of you! I'm so impressed.

But back to your original "cure." It IS interesting, because now that I think about it, I have a patch of dry skin on the base of my skull. And the insides of my ears - itchy and scaly too. (OK, TMI for some of you, I'm sure. Can you imagine being a medical professional and listening to this stuff all of the time?) Like I said before, I feel like a died up old prune. Wonder if it IS that same as what you were suffering from?

That is excema/psoriasis, honey. Go see the derm and get some prescription meds.

There are things like scalpacin and I use "Coal Tar" shampoo when I am in an itchy state.

Also allergy meds should be on your list, if you don't take them. Stress is the big one for making it worse.

As far as the ears, you can get stuff and it does help. I have to have my ears cleaned by a ENT because of my excema.