DRY CRACKED SKIN ON EYELIDS

I have had dry, swollen, cracked, peeling skin on my eyelids which has become progressively worse over 7 years.  Have been prescribed cortisone but only is an overnight cure.  Is this exceme?  or psoriasis?  or allergies?  How can I get over this???  HELP!!!

[plantman88]

I have the same problem!
Dry, cracked skin that I have to peel off of my upper eyelids.

It comes in waves. It might be bad for a week and go away for a month, or vice versa. It seems to be worse when the weather is hot or dry, but sometimes that makes no difference. And sometimes it cracks so badly it bleeds, like chapped lips.

I went to my doctor and he said that I had a "skin condition." I'd never wanted to beat someone so badly. That's like diagnosing somebody in the ER as "sick" or having some sort of "wound." He gave me fluorometholone ophthalmic ointment. It sort of worked for a little while, but eventually became no more effective than neosporin. Both seem to only temporarily moisturize the area. Now I just use vasoline. It doesn't do anything to cure it, but at least I can walk around for a few hours without looking like a leper.

The most frustrating part is that nobody (including my doctor) knows what this is. I've searched all over for eyelid disorders and nothing even mentions dry, cracking, peeling skin. There's gotta be a dermatologist out there who has seen this and knows what to do. Please help.

[hawkify]

  I have the same problem with my eyelids.  Here is the condition, it only happens when I am in a certain area and sweat a lot.  I only get it when I go over to my grandmother's house and where I train.  I am allergic to something there.  When I left for a while, it was gone and didn't come back until I went back to her house.  So try getting out of that particualr area.  High amounts of dust, feather pillows, or even environmental.  I left for Iraq, where I sweated a ton, however it never bothered me getting sweat in eyes unless I am at my grandmother's house.  Vacuum a ton and try keeping ice packs on it when it is swollen.  Use a different detergent on your clothes and even change your cologne.  You are allergic to something.  I still don't know what it is for me, but when I eliminated everything by moving..... it cleared up for over a year without a breakout.  Now that I am back home at her house, I have had it for 3 months straight.  I am looking for a house to get my own "CLEAN" space.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

Hi,

Eczema is a  persistent skin conditions  that presents with swelling, dryness and recurring skin rashes which  may itch  or bleed. There is no known cure for eczema, thus treatments aim to control the symptoms: reduce inflammation and relieve itching.  However, it is difficult to diagnose without direct examination of your eyelid.  It will also help if you have this checked by an eye specialist or opthalmologist for further evaluation.

Take care and keep us posted.

[pollysue123]

My son has the same problem and he has had it for years and we been to lots of doctors and know one can tell me how to help him hes only in 6th grade and everyone always asks him whats wrong with his eyes there all red and peel where his eyelashes grow out from both top and bottom sometime so bad they start to bleed . I've try everything that you can put on the eyes and nothing helps .I feel really bad cause I know kids at school can be mean about things that are diffrent. Please Help . And tell me what I can do for him.

[sherwood67]

I've struggled with this also, the thing I've found that works is going on a sugar free diet,  I've come to believe it's a yeast infection.  Don't blow me off, I'm serious, my son had the same thing on his neck when he was a new born, it would peel and crack.  I've also found boosting my immunity with vitamin c and drinking lots of water and don't forget your b vitamins!

[TheRoot]

How many of you were Military? I have had the same problem, it started as dry skin on my hands at the web between my thumb and index fingers, then moved to behind my knees, and on my feet, my toenails did not grow well either. I also now have issues with candida or yeast and when it hit my eyelids, I looked like a Racoon, I used to think it was an allergy to polyester, but the more and more I learn I am finding that the POLIO Vaccine and others in the Military were failing tests and they tried to get rid of it by selling it to third world countries, when they were refused they had so much invested in the study that they had to send the vaccine through, now its causing all sorts of skin issues with soldiers and their children, this problem is actually now in our DNA and will determine how we form in the next mellenia of human evolution.

[Johnstons]

I joined today to reply to this thread about itchy, bleeding and cracking eyelids. I am non-military but like hundreds of millions out there I was vaccinated as a child. I had this problem a few years ago. I went to the University of Minnesota and had it biopsied. ( I wish there was a spell checker in here) Afterwards I was told it was some type of soriahsis(sp) and given a very powerful steriod ointment. It turned my eyelids into leather and I stopped after a month. I also had it spread from my eyelids to the back of my knees and to a sensitive area below the belt and as a guy it was not fun. I am not sure what made it stop but after reading a post from "hawkify" above I realize that I had a down comforter for years and finally threw it away shortly before the problem stopped. I always take allegra for general allergies which I think helps but back to my point. Two months ago I started using a new down blanket and pillow but I also started a new exercise routine and I started taking new vitamin pills. So I will try and keep an update as to the staus of my issue but I am focusing on the down and vitamins, hard for me to believe my body would be so reactive to its own sweat. I will get rid of the blanket and switch off the vitamins for a few weeks and post back.

[LadyA65]

about 4 months ago i started with a small red scabby look above my left eyelid as the time went by it is spreading on my eyelid, it looks red and flakey and yes it itches sometimes, it looks horrible and i want it to go away, it makes me sad because i love wearing makeup and i have stopped do to the look, i also thought it was the makeup doing that but i am not sure :( - i dont know what to do - and i just started this new job and cannot afford to take off for a dermatoligist until i complete my 3 months ,,urggggg i am so sad
From LadyA65

[sky90]

I will definitely try getting a new down comforter or even new bedsheets after you had mentioned this. I'm a typical college student whose last thing on my mind is bedsheets. But I am currently experiencing the same exact thing as you were. I've always kinda had dry skin all over my body. But recently I've realized my eyelids are getting progressively worse and I'm starting to scratch the back of my knees, which have by this point turned red, scabby, and scaly. I'm also experiencing some dryness down below the belt as well. Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try using your suggestions!

[Terese61]

I also suffer from this and it only flares up once in a while but this last time it has been so bad just couldn't stand it anymore.  So I went to the store and bough some destin and started using it at night the redness was gone overnight but still a little dry and cracked but going to contine to use.  I have eczema on other parts of my body but that seem to itch more than what I have on my eyelids.  I did try my medication for my eczema on my eyelids and found no relief.  I would suggest giving the destin a try.

[jasminegreen]

I just recently had this problem flare up. I was unsure of what it could be, maybe allergies or something else. I didn't bother with a dermitologist because the last thing I needed to hear was that I had "dermatitis". I find that to be a complete cop out. When I was looking up causes/treatments, it was interesting for me to read about someone struggling with candida because I have had a rash on my neck flare up in the past and the only thing that helped was going on a sugar free, low carb and low acidity diet (no vinegar and no artifical sweetners except something natural like stevia). It ***** and the diet is very restictive but the rash did clear up. I am going to go back on it to see if my eyelids start to clear up as well. Reading these responses has helped me tremendously.

[daddyofthree]

This may be caused by a condition called blepharitis (check spelling) which is a condition with your eyelids that causes redness of eyes, eyelids, etc.  Dry skins is also a symptom.  I was diagnosed with this last year at my eye appointment and told to use baby shampoo.  At the time I did not have the dry skin, but recently this started to happen.  I will have my yearly eye exam and ask the doctor more.

[amrodri]

I had the exact same condition a few years ago. It would crack, peel off, and then it would be ok for a month, then it would come back again. I went to see the dermatologist who diagnosed some dermatitis herpetiformis, basically gluten allergy. I ran all tests including a gastroscopy and they all turned negative. However in the mean time I moved out of my apartment, and it never happened again! Since there were clear signs of water infiltration in the old building (paint peeling off in some apartments, in mine even though I had painted it all new less than 2 years before, the paint started to bubble in some areas of the apartment), I think it could have been a reaction to mold or another bacteria in the apartment. I would suggest trying to put hepa filters at least in the bedroom to see if that helps.

[beccabuns]

hey i have this problem too and the only thing that has ever worked for me to get rid of it is a aveeno baby lotion, its called Aveeno baby daily moisture lotion. there's another aveeno baby lotion for ecsema (eczema) but it doesnt work, however the regular one i mentioned complety cleared it up for me

[kms337]

Try Burt's Bees Hand salve. It has almond oil, lavender, rosemary, olive oil, and bees wax. I have the same problem and the hand salve got rid of it in a couple days. Smells good too. No burning. Best thing i ever tried!

K.S.

[BrilliantC]

HI

the Burts Bees Hand salve WORKED!!! I have been using it 2 times a day since Friday.. and it has improved by 95% and today is only Monday.. so I will keep using it!.. But I also have stoped using makeup or makeup brushes around my eye area...also refrained from touching the area, I didnt realize how much I would touch/scratch/rub my eye area when Im stressed...just something that I wanted to share.

[chaznw]

I have had this same problem for several years. I saw someone post about Mario Badescu Control Cream and decided to give it a try.  Best $17 I ever spent.  It worked and within a couple days my eye lids had improved tremendously.  I had tried prescribed anti-biotic cream, Cortaid, Eilidel (do not use this product it is poison and very expensive).  The Control Cream worked and soothed my eyes from the very first use.    

[busymeof4]

I can't believe so many people have this.... I also have it on my eye lid and under my eye area. It makes me look like I have SO many wrinkles and I really don't. I thought maybe I got it from the eye make-up remover I was using. I used some A&D ointment and that helped a lot, took a lot of the redness and burning away. I do have Burt’s Bees hand slave so I'm going to try that right now and I'm going to go buy the Mario Badescu Control Cream that someone recommended. I want this to go away so I can put my make-up on each day. This is ridiculous. It's been almost 2 weeks with this situation and I went to the dr. they told me to take Benadryl and wanted to prescribe a steroid but I'm 8 mo pregnant. That could be the reason I have this ... who knows.

[Diyana3xx]

Unbelievable how many people have this problem. I have the same, and had it for 3 years now. However, it keeps on getting better and going worst from time to time. It bothers me a lot. I will need to try some of those recommended products, because so far I tried a lot and nothing worked.

[havb]

No. You guys are all doing the same thing I was. If the weather is dry and you are washing your face in the shower, in the morning, at night, stop. Completely. Wait about a month or two when your skin has healed, and then only wash your face, DO NOT GO OVER YOUR EYELIDS WHEN YOUR EYES ARE CLOSED! I went to several dermatologists had skin samples taken, took all sorts of prescription meds, none worked. And then I realized it was my hygiene causing the problem and I stopped. Never had this problem since, not once. No vaseline, no medicines. Literally, stop washing your eyelids in dry weather. Easy solution that makes sense and works.

[Loglen]

I have had dry n cracking eye lids fir a few mo the now. I ride a bicycle 4-6 times a week for fitness. I usually drink coffee right before but about 3 months ago started using caffine tabs instead. I started taking just a half but found better performance taking a whole about 2 weeks ago and my eye lids have gotten much worse in the same time. I am quiting all caffine intake to see if the prblem persists. I also started taking a half a multi vitimin at the same time as caffine tabs but if anything have taken less over the last few weeks. I will repost if this seems to remedy my issues. Just my thoughts about dry eye lids

[nickivee]

try pure virgin organic coconut oil - i have had this condition for about the last 2 weeks and hate going to the doctor when i don't have to (and after reading all these posts, clearly the doctor isn't helping resolve this issue for most)

i have been applying it liberally right before bed and minimally in the morning (still wanted to be able to wear makeup and too much will be too oily to allow makeup to stick) and within 4 days it was almost gone!  it has been 6 days now and this morning i woke up with a very tiny dry patch barely even noticeable. i plan to keep applying it in small doses at night for a while to be sure it is fully healed.

hope this works for everyone else as well as it has for me!  :)

http://www.candida-cure-recipes.com/benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

[Loglen]

I am sorry for the spelling in my last post as I am posting from a phone and I could not proof read b4 I posted. But my dry itchy cracking eye lids/face is not from caffine as I thought. I am allergic to soy. Seems strange I am 34 n never knew but have been exposed to high amounts recently I started drinking higher amounts of soy milk. Now even small intakes cause a reaction with in hours. I am becoming more sensative to soy the more I am exposed. Anyway just what I found out about myself hope it's helpful

[KyleeAlyssa]

I have had the same problem for the past 2 months. It started as just a little scab on my right eyelid, but started flaking and looking gross after only a couple days. After about a month it spread to below my eye and to the other eye as well. I'm a makeup artist and not being able to to wear makeup to work was horrible! I need to figure out a cure for this, it's so irritating!! I have to peel my eye before I can put makeup on. I've been using Clinique's All About Eyes as a mask, but it doesn't go away. Sometimes it cracks so much that it bleeds and I have to put neosporin on it.. I just want it to go away!

[Romeo_Oscar]

I have this same upper eyelid redness itchiness problem for more than 10 years now. It comes and goes. One thing I noticed is that the red swollen areas are exactly in the path of where I rub my eyes. So I conclude that rubbing makes this problem worse or starts it. I also think that skin dryness causes this problem. I have recently purchased this organic coconut oil from Nutiva ******* (15oz Coconut Oil - COC601  $11.99) and this stuff is fantastic at moisturizing skin ( and smell great, Coconut!) and you can eat it if you want too. I use it on my hands and my hand skin looks awesome! I used to have my hand skin badly damaged in the winter but no more. My hand skin go to perfect in about 2 days. For my eyelid redness, I have been applying it for a couple days and I noticed that the skin that was not damaged is now looking perfect, the areas that where only slightly irritated got better, but the areas badly irritated are not recovering as fast, and might get more irritated. So I will definitively use this organic coconut as maintenance for natural humidification of skin.

[Szerin]

Just to clarify - vaccines to not modify the sequence of our genes (somatic cells or gametes), and the antibodies produced in response to those vaccines are not passed on to our progeny.  There is no evidence that vaccines alter the genetics of future generations.  

[itchyguywithredeyes]

I have the same problem. One thing that I KNOW causes trouble is the combination of dry weather and certain laundry detergents.  My pillow case, as well as my sheets and pajamas, when washed in the wrong detergent, make me itch like crazy, and it's much much worse in the winter.  My eyelids get all dry, flaky, and terribly itchy at those times.  Vaseline makes my eyelids red, but at least a tiny bit of it keeps the flaking down so I don't look like a lizard that's shedding. I have tried applying a tiny single drop of pure 100% lanolin, too, on certain spots to control the flaking. That's helpful for me on really bad days. My dermatologist prescribed Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate in a mild form that is OK for use around the eyes; it seems to help a bit, but does not get rid of the problem.  If you are searching for possible causes of the problem, I'd suggest changing your laundry detergent to the mildest thing you can find to see if that doesn't help.  Also, do NOT use standard moisturizing lotions around your eyes.  I've made that mistake; the alcohol and other ingredients in the lotion only made things worse.

[superwendy]

I have had this problem for well over a year now. I lived in Florida until March where it is humid and California where it is very dry. This has persistently gotten worse in Cali. Late last year when I had health ins. I went to a dermatologist that prescribed to me (2) different expensive creams that only made it worse. My Mom had the same problem and gave me "Desonide," which is a steroid, and as you know dangerous near the eyes. This didn't help either, or if it seemed it would, it would come right back, and it would later cause awful pain directly in my eyeball. So I'm not using that anymore, can't be good. Right now it is awful (looks like a cigarette burn on my eyelid). I have this mostly on the middle of my right eye and the side corner of my left eye. I have read so much about this and am so frustrated. I picked at the dry skin a few days ago, and then it just hurt for days. Stinging, raw, itchy eyelids and irritating the inside of my eyes constantly.  One comment from a reader above was to stop washing and going over eyes when washing your face. I think this has helped quite a bit. It has helped it to dry out, instead of being sore, raw and stinging. I have read advice here and elsewhere about the Mario Badescu control cream; which I am desperately awaiting for it's arrival in the mail since I could not find it around here. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow and I will report back. Good Luck everyone!

[HopefulinNY1018]

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I was desperate, depressed, my confidence was down and I felt helpless with the repeated abuse of my red, irratated, gritty, cracked eye lids. At work yesterday I just wanted to go home as it is hard to look people in the eye when you know and feel as we who suffer with  this condition feel. It is desperate and it is trying at times. I have suffered with this condition for serveral years.  It does come and go but it never really goes away tototally and more time it is active than not. I have severe allergies. Dust mites is my worst allergy to the point my allergist has me carry an Epipen. I also have asthma. I can deal with just about anything and I have a strong spirit but when it comes to my eyes, feeling, and looking as they do I can become so desperate and depressed. The itching is unbearable at times. If you are reading this I am sure you feel my pain. When I found this thread I read every post. I saw the posts about people who tried Mario Badescu control cream. I have never heard of it before yesterday.  After several doctors appts for my eye issue, 2 drawers full of steriod creams, eye drops, you name it I have it! I decided that after so many people with this condition seemed to get good results with the Mario Control Cream, I decided to head right to the store and get it. I live in NY so it was available at Ulta. I purchased a 3 piece set that inculded the control cream a mask and a cleanser. I got home and told my husband say a prayer that this works for me. I used all three products. I put the control cream around my eyes. I was expecting the usual, burning, redness and irratation and gues what?  that did not happen! The control cream felt good!! My eyes started to feel better.  I went to sleep and overnight they healed even more. This morining I washed my face with the Mario cream soat and applied the control cream again and then again tonight I cleand and applied again, Could this be my miracle I have been waiting for? I will continue to use this product and I will continue to post my results. If you are suffering from this condition please give this cream a try. Today I have hope and hope is a good thing!!!  Good luck to everyone!

[winniethepooh29]

i've been having this problem with my eyelids for like 3 months now they get red and they peel i used to wear makeup but i stop because i thought that the makeup was the reason this was happen it stop for awhile but then it came back i put hot water on it and some eye cream it makes it stop peeling for a few hours when my friends ask me whats wrong with my eyes and i say its my allergies when they ask me i feel bad because i hate how my eyes look thats why i aviod looking people in the eye i need help how can i make this go away HELP ME :(

[AzNative928]

I am relieved i am not the only one suffering with his horrible condition. It is embarrassing to have and not be able to look people in the eyes. I have tried all the creams at the drug store, I even consulted the doctor i work closely with and she recommended Eucerin. Which i bought, but it seems to have made my eyelids worse. Yesterday morning I woke up with my eyelids super swollen and flakey. I ended being sent home from work because i couldn't keep my eyes open because of the itching and burning. I went to the clinic and was prescribed allergy meds, antibiotic eye drops and steriod cream. I tried getting in with my eye doctor, but he was out for the day. Reading previous posts, I will most definatley buy the Mario Badescu control cream. I hope its my saving grace.  I just want to be able to not avoid peoples gaze and wear my make up once again.