Need some info on dealing with possible eczema around eyes

[Christine]

the derm. probably meant chemical patch testing, not allergy testing. For patch testing, the patches with the chemicals being tested are placed on your back and you cannot get them wet for 72 hours (I have done it 3 times...its not that bad). We did that for my eczmea...found out I am severely allergic to lanolin, moderately allergic to parabens, and mildly allergic to sodium benzoate. My eczema got much better after we eliminated those chemicals but its still pretty bad.

Normal allergy testing is just prick testing on your back and it is done within an hour (but that would not be done usually for a contact dermatitis issue as contact dermatitis is usually from a chemical)

You are not really suppsoed to use cortisone or steroid creams on your eyelids. The skin is way too thin and it can be absorbed through the skin and into the eyes. Around your eyes can be okay as long as that usage is prescribed by a doctor.

I have severe eczema and I have 3 prescription creams for flares (all 3 are different strentghs) and 2 OTC creams and the one thing my derm always reminds me of is to NOT use them one/near my eyes!

But there are creams specifically formulated for the eye area so they can be used. They are usually "eye" versions of the same drugs used for other parts of the body. They come in tiny little tubes and the formula is made into a much thinner concoctions. Hey, if my opthamologist says it's fine, it's fine. He's very conservative. Yes, steroid formulations meant for the body shouldn't go on the eye, but other creams can and they are very effective for bringing it under control. My doc also told me that many of the "eye warnings" are due to the fact that people are stupid and often just glop the stuff right in their eye.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

But there are creams specifically formulated for the eye area so they can be used. They are usually "eye" versions of the same drugs used for other parts of the body. They come in tiny little tubes and the formula is made into a much thinner concoctions. Hey, if my opthamologist says it's fine, it's fine. He's very conservative. Yes, steroid formulations meant for the body shouldn't go on the eye, but other creams can and they are very effective for bringing it under control. My doc also told me that many of the "eye warnings" are due to the fact that people are stupid and often just glop the stuff right in their eye.

Yep. I have it in my ears too....yea me!

Have you ever tried the Cetaphil cleanser? It is what I use sometimes when I have to do steriod creams.

 

[Christine]

Yep. I have it in my ears too....yea me!

Have you ever tried the Cetaphil cleanser? It is what I use sometimes when I have to do steriod creams.

Not sure if you're asking me or the OP (I think she stated she is using Cetaphil). I cannot use Cetaphil. It dries out my skin badly. I have VERY dry skin. I've tried the Cetaphil bar and the liquid cleansers and both are very drying to my skin. I'm not sure why. I have to stick with Dove. It has enough moisturizers in it that, while it cleans my skin, it also tacks on an emollient layer that it least makes me feel like my face won't crack.

I've never met anyone who skin is as problematic, with dryness, as mine.

BTW, my son also has eczema in his ears but not bad enough that he's ever needed anything.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 14 year old has had a problem with eczema all his life. It was really bad, then we removed gluten from his diet. It got better, but he still had bouts with it flaring up. I started tracking what he was eating and it always flared up when he had more sugar and simple carbs in his diet.

Since then, we have completely removed sugar and simple carbs from his diet and his skin is completely clear.

Do a search on how yeast overgrowth/candida and eczema. Tons of information on the connection between yeast in the gut and eczema.

Also, moisturize with Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion Unscented.

Completely removed sugar! Wow what a feat. I know that I have the issue that is bolded. It sucks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not sure if you're asking me or the OP (I think she stated she is using Cetaphil). I cannot use Cetaphil. It dries out my skin badly. I have VERY dry skin. I've tried the Cetaphil bar and the liquid cleansers and both are very drying to my skin. I'm not sure why. I have to stick with Dove. It has enough moisturizers in it that, while it cleans my skin, it also tacks on an emollient layer that it least makes me feel like my face won't crack.

I've never met anyone who skin is as problematic, with dryness, as mine.

BTW, my son also has eczema in his ears but not bad enough that he's ever needed anything.

I do use Dove in the shower too.

However when I have a flare up on my eyes or the corners of my lips, which totally sucks, I use the Cetaphil cleanser on just those spots to keep them clean.

I have to use steriod cream in my ear during flare ups (usually when I get sick) & I have to go to the ENT to get my ears professionally cleaned. In the old days I would let a PCP use the "water pick" which aggravated my eczema. I cannot use anything else to clean out the ear because it makes my eczema worse and becomes a vicious cycle.

Right now my ear is clogged. I changed PCPs recently and she said, your ear is clogged, I asked her to look for me. Guess what, I was at former PCPs and Urgent Care who said my ear was fine. Jerks....

 

[Christine]

I do use Dove in the shower too.

However when I have a flare up on my eyes or the corners of my lips, which totally sucks, I use the Cetaphil cleanser on just those spots to keep them clean.

I have to use steriod cream in my ear during flare ups (usually when I get sick) & I have to go to the ENT to get my ears professionally cleaned. In the old days I would let a PCP use the "water pick" which aggravated my eczema. I cannot use anything else to clean out the ear because it makes my eczema worse and becomes a vicious cycle.

Right now my ear is clogged. I changed PCPs recently and she said, your ear is clogged, I asked her to look for me. Guess what, I was at former PCPs and Urgent Care who said my ear was fine. Jerks....

Sounds just like my son. He is constantly getting clogged with odd wax. He has an appointment with his ped next week for a physical and he can't wait because they will pull all that stuff out. Once I took him to an ENT who flushed his ears out with some major force. He said it was the best his ears ever felt.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds just like my son. He is constantly getting clogged with odd wax. He has an appointment with his ped next week for a physical and he can't wait because they will pull all that stuff out. Once I took him to an ENT who flushed his ears out with some major force. He said it was the best his ears ever felt.

Sorry to hear that. It is a lifelong thing to deal with.

Best I can tell you how to handle it is that you schedule reg. ear cleanings with an ENT, use a steriod cream during flare ups and never put any chemical stuff in your ear to clean them out, as it aggravates the eczema.

The thing about the reg. cleanings is that it "calms the ear" down. When you allow the build up it irritates it which makes more skin/wax build up and then you are in the vicious cycle again.

 

[cabanafrau]

I feel completely confident in recommending that you invest in new hypoallergenic mattress cover and pillow protectors. A few years back a very good friend wound up w/ a recurring issue around her eyes, would go into the doc, get some meds, it would clear for a while, then kept returning more & more often. Doc finally recommended trying the mattress/pillow solution and the problem went away for good, w/ no meds.

The only thing you'll be out is some cash and there's no risk of you aggravating the condition or doing other damage, even if my doctorate is only valid on the DIS!

Good luck!

 

[hsmamato2]

my ds had this last year...only around the eyes,very odd.... I 2nd trying gently washing with the t-gel- also try rubbing coconut oil on it,it's very healing- it seemed to work for him- it hasn't returned yet

 

[Uptown Girl]

Sounds just like my son. He is constantly getting clogged with odd wax. He has an appointment with his ped next week for a physical and he can't wait because they will pull all that stuff out. Once I took him to an ENT who flushed his ears out with some major force. He said it was the best his ears ever felt.

I get a lot of wax in my ears too. It's very annoying. Ask your dr. about the ear drops that soften wax. I can't remember what they are called but they are in a brown bottle with a dropper. I used them a lot on our oldest as he has issues with wax in his ears as well. I got them because one time they could NOT get the plug of wax out of his ear so I had to use the drops and they work wonderfully. DD just had a huge wax plug pulled out of her ear too--it's hereditary I think.

We used Head and Shoulders on DS's eczema with great success but it stings and I don't know that I would want to use it around the eye area.

 

[MELSMICE]

the derm. probably meant chemical patch testing, not allergy testing. For patch testing, the patches with the chemicals being tested are placed on your back and you cannot get them wet for 72 hours (I have done it 3 times...its not that bad). We did that for my eczmea...found out I am severely allergic to lanolin, moderately allergic to parabens, and mildly allergic to sodium benzoate. My eczema got much better after we eliminated those chemicals but its still pretty bad.

This makes sense as to what it would be like.

Lots of good advice. I had always had eczema growing up. . .it would calm down and then flare up at times. Ugh! But, when I became pregnant with my oldest and started taking prescription pre-natal vitamins it completely disappeared. I noticed, lol!

So I really do believe it is nutritional, or that diet changes can make a big difference. This is decent info I think:

http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-diet.html

Thanks for the link.

Yep. I have it in my ears too....yea me!

Have you ever tried the Cetaphil cleanser? It is what I use sometimes when I have to do steriod creams.

I am currently using Cetaphil. I had been using Eucerin Redness Relief cleanser, which seemed mild to me & I don't think that was part of the problem at all, as I haven't used it in months & the irritation is still there.

I feel completely confident in recommending that you invest in new hypoallergenic mattress cover and pillow protectors. A few years back a very good friend wound up w/ a recurring issue around her eyes, would go into the doc, get some meds, it would clear for a while, then kept returning more & more often. Doc finally recommended trying the mattress/pillow solution and the problem went away for good, w/ no meds.

The only thing you'll be out is some cash and there's no risk of you aggravating the condition or doing other damage, even if my doctorate is only valid on the DIS!

Good luck!

I'll try this too. I have to say though that I initially read this as "invest in a new hypoallergenic mattress". I obviously skimmed over the word cover & thought "that's quite an investment". I head to go back & re-read!

 

[faith]

My cousin has been diagnosed with shingles around his eye area.
Any chance this could be what you have?

 

[MELSMICE]

BTW.....I used the Aquaphor this morning. I had no idea it was a petroleum type of product. Good thing I'm not going out anywhere today & just wrapping Christmas gifts. I feel like my face is a "well oiled machine"! I had to take a soft cloth to rub some of it off, even though I put a think layer of it on this morning. YIKES!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

BTW.....I used the Aquaphor this morning. I had no idea it was a petroleum type of product. Good thing I'm not going out anywhere today & just wrapping Christmas gifts. I feel like my face is a "well oiled machine"! I had to take a soft cloth to rub some of it off, even though I put a think layer of it on this morning. YIKES!

Good Luck! It is really trial and error.

Key is to not contaminate the creams you are using. Very important. Use applicators, q-tips, etc and do not use your fingers.

If I used Vaseline it would aggravate it to the point of crusting and weeping. Blah.

 

[MELSMICE]

Good Luck! It is really trial and error.

Key is to not contaminate the creams you are using. Very important. Use applicators, q-tips, etc and do not use your fingers.

If I used Vaseline it would aggravate it to the point of crusting and weeping. Blah.

Thanks......I didn't think about this when I was applying it this morning. I used what was on the plastic cover that I removed, so I didn't actually touch the product yet. I'll remember this though.

 

[disfan07]

But there are creams specifically formulated for the eye area so they can be used. They are usually "eye" versions of the same drugs used for other parts of the body. They come in tiny little tubes and the formula is made into a much thinner concoctions. Hey, if my opthamologist says it's fine, it's fine. He's very conservative. Yes, steroid formulations meant for the body shouldn't go on the eye, but other creams can and they are very effective for bringing it under control. My doc also told me that many of the "eye warnings" are due to the fact that people are stupid and often just glop the stuff right in their eye.

Obviously, the information I have gotten differs from what you have gotten. My Dermatologists at Johns Hopkins were the ones who told me not to use the creams on my eyelids or really near my eyes. I trust the dermatologists from Hopkins 100% (and my current Derm who was Hopkins trained but is now somewhere else) Its just your comfort level. If I have had 4 dermatologists tell me not to, I don't. I was giving the infromation I have been giving over and over again and you are giving yours. It's up to the OP and her doctor to make the final decision but OP, I would not advise using a cream on your eyes without checking it with a dermatologist first...but thats just my opinion.

 

[Christine]

Obviously, the information I have gotten differs from what you have gotten. My Dermatologists at Johns Hopkins were the ones who told me not to use the creams on my eyelids or really near my eyes. I trust the dermatologists from Hopkins 100% (and my current Derm who was Hopkins trained but is now somewhere else) Its just your comfort level. If I have had 4 dermatologists tell me not to, I don't. I was giving the infromation I have been giving over and over again and you are giving yours. It's up to the OP and her doctor to make the final decision but OP, I would not advise using a cream on your eyes without checking it with a dermatologist first...but thats just my opinion.

Well, go figure...both of my docs (derm and opthamologist) are Hopkins trained too. Comes with the territory living in this area I guess...

 

[MrsPete]

I have problems wtih eczema on my face, but not around my eyes. My dermatologist has never once mentioned allergy testing.

My skin was incredibly dry, and no amount of moisturizer or Vaseline would make it go away. I had redness and large flakes of skin peeling off. It was also mildly painful.

At first he had me use Eldol cream (Is that exactly right? I can't remember.), which worked like a charm -- but it's not available over the counter. Now that it's gone, I keep it away with VaniCream moisturizer (Wonderful stuff, completely allergy-free, kept behind the counter at Target but doesn't require a prescription.). As long as I remember to use it twice daily, I don't get the dry, flakey skin any more.

I use the Eldol only occasionally when I have a flare-up; I prefer to avoid using it because it does contain possible cancer-causing agents.

 

[MELSMICE]

I've been using Aquaphor the last 2 days & not wearing any make-up and it seems to be better. No real itching today.

I will probably put on a little make-up for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day but stay away from mascara & see how that goes.

 

[MELSMICE]

Well, so much for that Aquaphor junk! I think I'm allergic to it!

I have put it on the last few days. Thursday morning I woke up & after showering the area around my eyes looked red again. I didn't think too much of it, as I take very hot showers & thought maybe I should have rinsed my face with cold water.

I put it on yesterday & during the day my lids itched a bit......still didn't think too much of it. Put it on last night before bed. A little stinging, so I should have known.

Woke up many times in the night & I finally got up around 4 a.m., looked in the mirror & I was red & swollen. I washed my face & tried sleeping with a cold compress on my eyes for the remainder of the night. Didn't get much sleep.

I got up & took some Benadryl around 9 a.m. & have been using the cold compresses also. What a mess I am. Not sure if I should head to Immediate Care or see what happens once the Benadryl really kicks in. I will have to wear sunglasses to church today.