Need some info on dealing with possible eczema around eyes

[MELSMICE]

I think I may have eczema around my eyes & slightly on other facial area, but most noticeable around my eyes.

I have discontinued make-up for the last 2 weeks , which was really tough for this vain individual to do! I did try to put on a little mascara twice during those 2 weeks & it seemed to flare up, but not always only when I wore the mascara.

I have been to the dermatologist and he said he would do allergy testing but I wouldn't be able to shower for 3 days & I am not willing to do that.

I looked online & it seems as though it might be eczema. Any tips or information from anyone that has experienced this. The dermatologist told me to use vaseline, which I've been doing at night. I also have some Aquaphor cream that I just purchased.

Any other info would be appreciated.

 

[DMickey28]

I am not sure about the face vs. the rest of the body. I have my first ever excema flare up on my left thigh right now. The best thing I have done and read is to keep it moisturizer and hydrocortisone lotion. I have tried doing nothing which caused it to get more inflamed, I have tried anti itch spray and it made it worse. From what I read excema should be moisturized and in my experience that has helped the most.

 

[Uptown Girl]

Two things--go to an allergy doctor. There is no reason why you can't shower and have allergy testing-that's just silly. Second, do you wear glasses? The one and only time I had an eczema like rash on my face was when I wore these one metal frame glasses. I didn't put two and two together until I got new glasses and the rash went away. I haven't had it since, 10 years later.

 

[Christine]

My mom had a bad bout with eczema around her eyes (eyelids and below the eye). It took awhile but she traced it to Pantene shampoo.

Anyway, I'm surprised the dermatologist didn't give you anything. There is stuff that works wonders.

I get minor flares of eczema on my eyelids if I"m around anyone wearing strong perfume. My opthamologist gave me prescription FML cream; however, the told me that over-the-counter 1% cortisone cream is totally safe to use (it is very weak) and to apply it to the upper parts of the lid (not near the lash line) and then, as you blink, the will work its way down on the lower lids.

 

[MELSMICE]

Two things--go to an allergy doctor. There is no reason why you can't shower and have allergy testing-that's just silly. Second, do you wear glasses? The one and only time I had an eczema like rash on my face was when I wore these one metal frame glasses. I didn't put two and two together until I got new glasses and the rash went away. I haven't had it since, 10 years later.

Someone else did recommend an allergist, which I will probably do, but it will have to wait until after Christmas and our return from Disney/Florida.

They said the same thing about the allergy testing & not being able to shower. I just found it so gross & actually kind of got in a little bit of a "tiff" with the doctor.

My mom had a bad bout with eczema around her eyes (eyelids and below the eye). It took awhile but she traced it to Pantene shampoo.

Anyway, I'm surprised the dermatologist didn't give you anything. There is stuff that works wonders.

I get minor flares of eczema on my eyelids if I"m around anyone wearing strong perfume. My opthamologist gave me prescription FML cream; however, the told me that over-the-counter 1% cortisone cream is totally safe to use (it is very weak) and to apply it to the upper parts of the lid (not near the lash line) and then, as you blink, the will work its way down on the lower lids.

The dermatologist did give me prednisone and also a cream but said not to use it for more than 2 weeks as it will thin the skin very much - WTH!!!

That was at my initial appointment. The 2nd appointment I was having a "flare" up & that's when he told me we could do the testing but that I couldn't shower.

 

[Bonniec]

Is it around your ees or the edge of your eye lids. If it's the edge, it's likely blepharitis

 

[Christine]

The dermatologist did give me prednisone and also a cream but said not to use it for more than 2 weeks as it will thin the skin very much - WTH!!!

All steroid creams have the potential to thin the skin with improper use. If you use a very weak cream and use it lightly and sparingly, really, you will NOT have a problem.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think I may have eczema around my eyes & slightly on other facial area, but most noticeable around my eyes.

I have discontinued make-up for the last 2 weeks , which was really tough for this vain individual to do! I did try to put on a little mascara twice during those 2 weeks & it seemed to flare up, but not always only when I wore the mascara.

I have been to the dermatologist and he said he would do allergy testing but I wouldn't be able to shower for 3 days & I am not willing to do that.

I looked online & it seems as though it might be eczema. Any tips or information from anyone that has experienced this. The dermatologist told me to use vaseline, which I've been doing at night. I also have some Aquaphor cream that I just purchased.

Any other info would be appreciated.

Your derm is a odd for starters. Allergy testing for eczema? I just don't see that as necessary unless you can't get rid of it and it gets bad.

I am trying to remember if I got something for my eyes. I can't remember it has been awhile. You really need a steroid cream to begin healing but they hate to prescribe it for the eyes though. Call him up and tell him you want to try a steroid cream. At least give it a shot. Or go to your reg. PCP, they will probably prescribe it.

I suggest throwing away your makeup for starters. When you do & use your new makeup you have to make sure that you keep the makeup "sanitary" using q-tips or disposable applicators to apply foundation, eyeshadow, etc....do not let anyone else use your makeup.

You are going to have to lay off the makeup and heal. If you can't do that then get new makeup and keep it as "sterile" as you can. Do not use your fingers.

Wash your face as soon as you can to let it heal. Go get the Cetaphil cleanser. That stuff is magic and moisturizing. I would not use Vaseline but use something more gentle like Eucerin cream.

 

[Uptown Girl]

Your derm is a goofy for starters. Allergy testing for ecema? Huh? I get that sometimes and had it bad for awhile.

I am trying to remember if I got something for my eyes. I can't remember it has been awhile. You really need a steroid cream to begin healing but they hate to prescribe it for the eyes though.

I suggest throwing away your makeup for starters. When you do, use your new makeup you have to make sure that you keep the makeup "sanitary" using q-tips or disposable applicators to apply foundation, eyeshadow, etc....do not let anyone else use your makeup.

You are going to have to lay off the makeup and heal. If you can't do that then get new makeup and keep it as "sterile" as you can. Do not use your fingers.

Wash your face as soon as you can to let it heal. Go get the Cetaphil cleanser. That stuff is magic and moisturizing. I would not use Vaseline but use something more gentle like Eucerin cream.

One of the first questions a good allergist will ask is if you have eczema. They often go hand and hand (along with asthma).

I have never heard of not showering before allergy testing though. I have been through 6 rounds of allergy testing with the kids and have never been told that. We have been told not to put lotion on their skin before they come though.

 

[amg35]

I get it once a year usually, told it was eczema, but I think it's more like a seborrheic dermatitis. The only reason I don't wear make up during a flare up is because it looks cakey.

I wash my eyes with Johnson's baby shampoo every night, and just put on some aquaphor.

Sometimes I'll use a dandruff shampoo, I have a bottle of T-Gel for this especially and once a week I'll use it and let it drip over my eyes, keeping them closed... It really does work wonders and clears it up quickly.

Good luck! Remember, it looks worse to you than to anybody else, promise!

 

[MELSMICE]

Is it around your ees or the edge of your eye lids. If it's the edge, it's likely blepharitis

Both......kind of. It's on the lids, sometimes moving up as far as my eyebrow. It is also on the corners of my eyes. Yesterday it was red & itchy underneath my eyes. I feel like I'm a mess!

Your derm is a odd for starters. Allergy testing for eczema? I just don't see that as necessary unless you can't get rid of it and it gets bad.

I am trying to remember if I got something for my eyes. I can't remember it has been awhile. You really need a steroid cream to begin healing but they hate to prescribe it for the eyes though. Call him up and tell him you want to try a steroid cream. At least give it a shot. Or go to your reg. PCP, they will probably prescribe it.

I suggest throwing away your makeup for starters. When you do & use your new makeup you have to make sure that you keep the makeup "sanitary" using q-tips or disposable applicators to apply foundation, eyeshadow, etc....do not let anyone else use your makeup.

You are going to have to lay off the makeup and heal. If you can't do that then get new makeup and keep it as "sterile" as you can. Do not use your fingers.

Wash your face as soon as you can to let it heal. Go get the Cetaphil cleanser. That stuff is magic and moisturizing. I would not use Vaseline but use something more gentle like Eucerin cream.

He is odd, believe me. He explained the allergy testing would be on my back with strips of different stuff & I couldn't shower for the 3 days having that on there he said.

He did recommend the Cetaphil to wash with, which I've been using.

I actually bought some new hypoallergenic make-up because I've been wondering if it's something to do with the mineral make-up........possibly being allergic to nickel, which is in it. I haven't used it yet though because I thought it could be the make-up brushes also.

I was trying to eliminate everything & then introduce one thing at a time, which is why I tried the mascara a few times.

Seriously.......I can't not shower for 3 days, so I'm trying to be my own Dr., but I'm not sure if that's going to work!

 

[Bonniec]

I would recommend seeing an optometrist since it's around your eyes. It could be as simple as blepharitis or you could be having an allergic reaction to something.

 

[Aneille]

My daughter had minor eczema as a baby and it went away. Then around 7 it came back on the inside of elbows and behind her knee's. We solved that problem by wearing Under Armor during hockey.

Fast forward to 9 years old and she started getting eczema on her face. Very minor but it wouldn't go away. She also starting having very minor asthma symptoms when doing sports.

We saw an allergist and she had some minor allergies to dust mites etc but the eczema continued as did the asthma. The eczema got worse, the asthma remained unchanged and at times seemed better.

At 9.5 years old she got sick. Turns out she is a Celiac. Since she went gluten free (about 7 months ago) she has been asthma free and her eczema completely went away. She never needs an inhaler now and her skin is perfect.

I'd see an allergist. We tried creams etc and nothing worked well except removing the gluten from her diet. I think your going in the right direction trying to find something that you may be allergic to.

 

[Gigi22]

If it is on your eyelids, it could be contact dermatitis. You can use OTC cortisone cream (1% strength) to clear it up. You should not use any eye makeup while your eyelids are inflamed--makeup remover will also irritate your eyelids.
If your dermatologist wants to test you for allergies, by all means go ahead with it. Have a "bird bath" in the morning to clean up, and wash your face carefully with just warm water. You'll live.

 

[KimR]

I used to get a horrible rash on my eyes and I'm fairly certain it was caused by certain dyes in my eyeshadow. Purple shadow was the main culprit; however pinks, greys and browns occasionally caused problems for me as well. I also noticed that once I had a break-out my eyes were hyper-senstive for a while afterwards and even shadows I was able to wear previously would cause a reaction. I had to go without makeup for about a week or so to allow my skin to recover before I could wear anything at all. Even foundation would cause swelling and itching.

Fortunately I eventually found a brand I can wear that does not cause any sort of reaction whatsoever - I can even wear purple eyeshadow now.

 

[Theta]

At 9.5 years old she got sick. Turns out she is a Celiac. Since she went gluten free (about 7 months ago) she has been asthma free and her eczema completely went away. She never needs an inhaler now and her skin is perfect.

I'd see an allergist. We tried creams etc and nothing worked well except removing the gluten from her diet. I think your going in the right direction trying to find something that you may be allergic to.

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.

 

[EMom]

I have had the WORST eczema this year and none of my usual prescription creams took care of it. I went to the dermatologist and she said it's been the worst year for eczema around the eyes for lots of her patients. She prescribed Cloderm cream 0.1% and the eczema was gone in no time flat. Ask the dr. for that. Better yet, a sample. It's expensive. Good luck.

 

[disfan07]

I think I may have eczema around my eyes & slightly on other facial area, but most noticeable around my eyes.

I have discontinued make-up for the last 2 weeks , which was really tough for this vain individual to do! I did try to put on a little mascara twice during those 2 weeks & it seemed to flare up, but not always only when I wore the mascara.

I have been to the dermatologist and he said he would do allergy testing but I wouldn't be able to shower for 3 days & I am not willing to do that.

I looked online & it seems as though it might be eczema. Any tips or information from anyone that has experienced this. The dermatologist told me to use vaseline, which I've been doing at night. I also have some Aquaphor cream that I just purchased.

Any other info would be appreciated.

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!

Usually an allergist or a dermatologist could do the patch testing. I have had it done once by a dermatologist and twice by an allergist. But if its a contact dermatitis issue, a dermatologist would probably be your best bet. (I have both an allergist and a dermatologist so I see both on a regular basis and they work with each other for the best treatments)

 

[Tinijocaro]

Google Omega 3 deficiency and eczema. Taking cod liver oil for at least 8 weeks can improve or cure it. You have to take it twice daily. this way you aren't using any steroid creams and it is a healthy, natural remedy.

 

[hambirg]

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