Recurring peri orbital edema with rashes

[NeneMellin]

I keep having bouts of peri orbital edema (always left eye) with seemingly non-associated rashes on other parts of my body. My intern and dermatologist are stumped and state it's a contact dermatitis. It usually happens while I'm on vacation at the beach but now it's happened at home. Have ruled sunscreen/lotions as a cause.
Could it be stress related? (I have a big family wedding in less than a week.)
Any suggestions, please?

[NeneMellin]

   Thanks for your continued interest. My contact testing revealed that I am sensitive to Balsam of Peru which apparently is in practically everything I use including the Dr. Pepper and Chai Tea that I drink.
   I have figured out on my own that my reactions could have been triggered by my use of Nair or Veet as a hair removal system before I went on vacation. My daughter told me that pregnant women are cautioned against using it so I suppose that it can be absorbed and possibly cause a reaction?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Sometimes even extensive testing may not pick up any allergen. It could be systemic, as there are no local elements which are triggering the reaction. Also, I assume your eyesight is good. You could try to maintain a diary and note down what is triggering the attack, like say food, temperature changes or cosmetics. This will help to narrow down the cause.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[NeneMellin]

Thanks for your input. I'm having contact patch testing in two weeks. Could this be a systemic allergy? My dermatologist seems convinced that this is an external contact allergy since we have ruled out any meds that could cause sun sensitivity.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The swelling could be due to angioedema. This is swelling of the deeper layers of the skin due to an allergic reaction. The reaction occurs more commonly on the face around the lips and near the eyes. Therapy lies in identifying the allergens and avoiding them and antihistamines. An allergy specialist can help identify the allergens and desensitize you.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.