This patient support community is for discussions relating to eye care,
cataracts,
glaucoma,
retinal detachment, eye infections,
misaligned eyes, intra-ocular implants, refractive surgery (
LASIK and CK), glasses, contact lenses,
amblyopia, eye injuries,
dry eyes, ocular allergy,
eye pain and discomfort, pediatric eye disorders, eyelid and tearduct surgery, poor eyesight, and eye surgery.
You will need to make an appointment with an Eye MD physician-ophthalmologist to work through the causes.
While waiting you can use warm compresses to the eye and get some Refresh-PM which you can apply to the eyelids and eyes at bedtime to moisturize them and for day time use preservative free artificial tears (they come in individual twist top vials).
JCH III MD
Incidently, my eyes have improved hugely over the last 24 hours after the use of some eye drops... I'm thinking it might have been blepharitis as the eye drops I used were supposed to heal it.
Thanks again.
Alex.
JCH III MD
People are work have started to comment on my eyes which is starting to get to me. I am still wearing make up and eye shadow, mainly to cover it up but I am starting to believe its eyeshadow (although this doesn't explain the dry patch on my cheek). I am bridesmaid for two of my friends next May 09 and I really want to get it sorted out - I look like something out of Thriller with zero make up on! Its starting to affect my confidence.
I can't think it is any different products I am using, my doctor has only prescribed me Alphaderm steriod cream but that just burns (when it gets in my eye) and makes the skin custy. I will do the above but what is causing this to us all?!!
My doctor told me to start washing my eyes with baby shampoo instead of eye make-up remover and that has helped reduce the puffiness and itchiness. My dermatologist also prescribed a steroid cream but I'm reluctant to use a steroid cream on my eye.
ONyx 600- What is the name of the eye drops that helped the blepharitis? I'm want to try that next.
I am 28 years old and developed the sympoms you all described around September 2008. The only thing is that I never had a drye patch next to my mouth. I wore any brand/type makeup all my life and I used cosmetics, parfumes and detergent all these years without any issues.
I saw an eye doctor first back in September 2008 who prescribed Alrex (steroid eye drops) and Optiva (moisturizer). Alrex worked like a charm, in two days I was back to normal. After my prescription was done in about 6 weeks I decided not to refill it and in about 2 days all symptoms came back. I refilled my prescription and in 2 days I felt relived again. In November 2008 I saw my primary care physician for full physical who asked whether I use any medication and I said Alrex. After primary care physician learned that I have been using Alrex for 3 months, she advised that I see an allergist or go back to an eye doctor since steroid medication like Alrex is not recommended for prolonged use and can lead to complications.
December 2008 I saw an allergist and was tested for sesonal stuff, dust and cat dog stuff- all the usual. None come up - none. The allergist confirmed that I am not allergic. I was given eye drops to relieve itchy red eyes and was advised by the allergist to avoid using Alrex, which allergist suggested is not a cure for the problem.
For 2 weeks I was fighting the symptoms, with and without the eye drops, Allegra, Claritin and other Allergy and Dry eye relieve drops - none of it worked - none. Lubricants didn't do anything either- my eyes are dry and puffy, red and bumpy. Regardless of whether I use or don't use makeup some days I wakeup and can't even open my eyes.
January 2009 I went back to see the allergist and begged him to prescribe Alrex to me. I was reminded that Alrex is not a solution to my problem, but rather a temporary relief. I was told that I will not be prescribed Alrex. I was offered a test to see whether I am allergic to common chemicals in products, and in the meanwhile I was told to make an appointment to see dermatologist. So, here I am sitting scrathing my eyes and wondering whether the patches on my back will bring any results - follow-up is in 2 days. At this point I want to be allergic to something, anything, so I can get a medication that works.
The plan is: if test comes out positive than I will know which chemicals to aviod. If test comes out negative I would have to see a dermatologist and the eye doctor again.
I hope that all of you got some kind of relief and bring my sympothy to all of you, since I know exactly how it feels....:(
If any of you found a solution please post it here so we can hopefully find a relief.
Thank you.
and typed in my favorite hand cream. Low and behold there was the ingredient Methylparaben with all the hazards it causes and it causes skin irritation $ to eyes as well as other horrors. Check it out for yourself and be ready for some shocking information.
I read all ingredients now and buy carcenagen free ingredients in all my makeup and creams and my eyes are way better!. I am not a doctor but no doctor I have been to knows what this eye problem I had was, and I have been to four doctors even an eye doctor. SO, what I am saying is, this ingredient may or may not be YOUR partticular problem, but I know my skin around my eyes are not itchy or burn and red anymore after eliminating products with Methylparaben in them! Hope this helps any of you. My heart goes out to you all, for I have suffered for a year and a half with this too. All my thoughts and prayers to you all. .
i have had this problem for 4 months now and nothing i do seems to make it go away. my mother is convinced it's stress related as i have had a lot of exams to deal with recently, but no matter how much i try to relax, no matter if i moisturise daily and wear absolutley no make up, my eyes remain red, sore and very itchy.
its so ugly! i have loads of wrinkles under my eyes where i have swollen up so many times and been rubbing my eyes. my eyebrows are thinning because i keep rubbing them (though i try so hard not to!) and i feel rubbish. i went to a GP about it and he gave me some antihistamines which haven't done anything, and some hydrocortisone, but because its on my eyes i can't put it on for more than a week. its obvious that it hasn't been very effective!
i have noticed that salt water seems to make the problem worse. for example when i sweat or cry, my eyes sting really badly.
please! does anyone know what could help me?
phoebe
x
I am also in Canada so that rules out that chemical you have in your products that starts with M since we don't have it here but we do have this puffy eye syndrome, redness, stinging, sunburning feeling. Mine are also peeling.
Don't know what to do either. Your posts let me know that I am in for a run around. Thanks for the heads up.
Glad you posted,
Amanda
I am 34 and I woke up one day with a huge puffy, red, stinging, burning eyelid. My initial thought was allergies as I do suffer from them, but no antihistamines have worked. It normally lasts 4-6 days at a time but the strangest thing is that when the welling finally goes away, my eyelids actually get almost scabby and start pealing. It burns and is miserable. There seems to be no consistent behavior that brings it on either.
I went to a homeopathic doctor who told me it was perhaps hormonal. I had blood tests which were fine as well. I have kept food, activity and medication logs for 3 months and there seems to be no correlation to any of it. I am starting to really freak out that there is something serious going on and no doctors want to take the time to figure it out.
I am starting to wonder if perhaps this is a side effect of some kind of mold I cant see. I need a "Dr.House"....is anyone out there that help us poor women.
Hope this helps anyone,
Im just tired of being ugly, without makeup :/
Hi Alex ------ READ CAREFULLY:
I have experienced the same problems as you for a while. Checked out on the internet and followed some advice: e.g. I bought "MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream" from the Bay ($36 + tax) - but it didn't help. I couldn't find avocado oil, recommended by someone on the internet.
The doctor prescribed me Hyderm Cream 1% - (or Hydrocortisone Acetate 1%)" to use twice a day (morning and night). Plus, at night, he said I should add (don't laugh!) Preparation H (which is for hemorroydes) on top of the first cream; he said this would reduce the puffiness within a week. I followed this treatment for 3-4 days and my eyelids went better, but not 100%. I still felt some dryness (it's like letting egg white dry on the sking...)
What has made me feel REALLY BETTER is this:
1. Use a "beauty mist" or a 'face spa' - you can buy it from any cosmetics department (for about $40-50). Add 2 camomile tea bags in the water and keep your face (especially your upper part) in the steam for 10-15 min.
If you don't want to spend the money on the spa, a cheaper method is this: boil water in a saucepan, add 2-3 camomile tea bags, take the saucepan away from stove, keep your face over it with a towel covering your head and saucepan, so that you capture all the steam onto your face.
2. Apply this excellent Eye Repair Cream around your eyes: "Obsessively EYEWITNESS Organic" produced by 'Kiss My Face Corporation'. It costs $16.49 + tax at SuperStore in the organic section of the store.
For the first time after a long discomfort I have felt relief and my eyelid skin gets to normal.
It is essential you don't rub or touch your eyes with dirty hands and do throw out all your makeup and start fresh with quality items (doctor recommended MAC).
I personally have difficulty in finding a good makeup removal. Remaining makeup cloggs the pores and over time it creates this eyelid problem. That is why, 'beauty mist' steam is extremely beneficial, as it does an in-depth skin cleaning. A little makeup break or very little use of makeup is also good for your skin.
I hope this helps (in fact, I'm sure it will help you)! Good luck!
DD
SD
might go to the docs but reading all your posts possibly a waste of time, like normal. I'm in the UK so can't be thay ingredient and I haven't changed anything either, and it's only on one eyelid. Mysterious.
My problem is I get an itchy, swollen, red, eyelid on my right side when I wake up. This occurs about every 2-3 weeks. Then I also get almost like an acne rash on the right side of my mouth, lower jaw. I also get a nose sore, again on my right side.
I went on-line to see if this has anything to do with allerigies, that is what I was thinking about. Cremes sting like crazy when I put on my eyelid when it's inflamed. What is going on? I am 33 and this all started about a year ago. Very frusterating.
Give it a go it works for me.
I've went through this entire thread and there seems to be a lot of conflicting causes and varying symptoms. I don't wear make-up and have been using Lubriderm on my whole face since I was 15 (I'm 32 now). I suddenly developed "the eyelid problem" about two months ago.
It started with dry, stiff upper eyelids and then progressed to redness, lines and puffiness. Putting lotion on would offer some relief in the first month, but now this problem has moved to my lower lids and the skin is looking kind of like "aligator" consistency (ie- wrinkling that's in squares, instead of just lines across the lids). Putting lotion on now actually stings mildly and the skin still feels stiff, despite the lotion. Plus now it's itchy.
I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow, as I can't take this anymore. Has anyone who's not a make-up wearer experienced what I'm describing? This is absolute misery and looks terrible!!
Thanks and I hope we are all able to find some resolution to this problem soon. I'll report what I find out from the doctor's tomorrow when I get back.
I too am currently suffering from a flare-up of very red, itchy, dry and sometimes swollen eyelids. I get this every once and awhile, and for me i know is caused by allergies. Sometimes when i start getting those irritated itchy eyes from allergies i end up rubbing (and sometimes even scratching - BAD, i know!) my eyes like crazy which later turns into inflammed bright red, itchy and puffy eyelids. This eventually turns into dry, scaling and then peeling skin on my lids. Then once the redness subsides i am left with a brown colouring around my eyelids (like what your skin looks like after sunburn). Anyway, i have searched the internet looking for an answer to what this condition acually is, and believe that (for me personally) it is due to (allergic) contact dermatitis of the eyelid. Here are just a couple of sites that may be helpfull to some of you:
http://www.parkhurstexchange.com/node/5136
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1197726-overview
**Please note that in no way am i suggesting that this is the answer to any of your problems, and if you are really concerned then you should definately consult a GP, Dermatologist etc. to get a definate diagnosis.
Anyway, the only way for me to treat my problem is to follow these steps:
1.) Itchy eyes: First and foremost do not rub, scratch eyes as this will only lead to more irritation, redness and swelling (possibly even an infection). For really itchy eyes i find that for me personally the best thing is to refrain from touching my eyes as much as possible (no matter how itchy - even if it drives me crazy) and to apply a cool compress which seems to help eleviate some of the itching.
2.) Swollen puffy eyelids: For this i usually use a cool compress which i apply to my eyes several times a day. You could also use cold tea bags which are great also.
In the past i have also suffered from bacterial conjuntivitis which i experienced similar symptoms, one of which being massive swelling of my eyelid which would last for days (usually it only occured in one eye, though sometimes it would spread to both.) as well as severe redness and burning in my eye, for which i consulted my doctor. For this i was prescribed some Clorsig ointment for my eye and sometimes also antibiotic tablets if the case was severe. Therefore if you are experiencing some massive swelling and soreness of your eyelids it could be a sign of an infection, so you should consult your doctor so that they can prescribe some antibiotics or meds to help soothe the problem.
3.) Dry, Red eyelids: Ok, there really isn't much you can do to stop the redness other than not rub your eyes or apply anything which will irritate your lids even more. The only thing i feel safe applying to my already irritated lids to help with the dryness is 100% pure Vitamin E oil. It can be a little sticky and feel a little strange but it doesn't burn or irritate my eyelids and it's great for burns, rashes and abrasions, aswell as dry, cracked skin. Anyway, it seems to work for me.
Well thats pretty much it. it's not a miracle cure, and it does take a few day for results to settle in. I know it won't be the solution to everyones problem, but i hope some of this information will be of use to some of you.
I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) and at night I would take Advil if needed. We were in Hawaii on vacation and my legs were bothering me, so I went to take some Advil. I forgot to bring the Advil but I did bring Aleve and so I took that instead. After about 1 hour my eyes started burning and itching like crazy. Looking back I realized that all the times before when I had this problem I had taken Aleve. When I got back home I went to the doctor and he said that I was allergic to naproxen which is in Aleve. If you look up naproxen on the web you will see that it causes rashes, swelling, itching, etc. I am now very careful not to take any medicine that has naproxen in it. This was 3 years ago and I have not had a reaction in 3 years.
I have read through everyone's comments on this thread. A lot of people have been talking about make up that may be causing the problem. Many have talked about using different lotions to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. They really need to keep track daily of medicines, foods, lotions, etc. to see what is triggering their attacks. It is definately an allergic reaction and the only way they are going to stop this is to find out what the root cause is. The cause of my allergic reaction was naproxen which was taken internally - not from anything external.
I don't know if anyone else has takien Aleve and have had these same symptoms. I hope this information helps others.
Age is not a factor as we have ladies of all ages.
The past 4 days I have been treating it like a fungus and have had major results. I think I developed this during the winter months when I was snug in a warm bed (we burn wood in the winter) and heat rises to our upper level. I'd wake up "sweating" from the room temperature being way too warm. (Not hot flashes!)
My last major flare up came last week after doing yard work on a hot day and I was "dripping". My eyes took no time at all to become red, swollen and sore again. (Mind you ... between major flare ups, I never truly went back to normal, always a mild pink tone with peeling.
I started on Tinactin antifungal cream for ahlete's foot this past Wednesday. The redness and dry flakes went away following the first treatment. I actually wore a little eye shadow to work yesterday for the first time in weeks without any problems. My doctor said that this is a safe product FOR ME to use as long as I do not get it in my eyes. (I apply with a Q-Tip) Infact, since this started I have used Q-Tips so that I do not spread it anywhere else. He said I may have to use this twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks...applied very "lightly". I have no problem with that as long as it goes entirely away. If not, he also said we could try a corticosteriod. .. which I would rather avoid doing.
I would appreciate hearing back from Jesizadie and any others that have solved the problem for any length of time. Good Luck to you ALL!!!!!
I had been to the doctor and he recommended 1% hydrocortisone cream, which I was reluctant to use because he said not to tell the chemist what I was using it for because they wouldn't give it me as it is not supposed to be used on the the face especially not close to the eyes.
I then spoke to a dermatologist acquaintance and she said use the hydrocortisone cream, just putting a small amount on the affected areas twice a day, then when it had cleared it up to GRADUALLY wean yourself off it, use it once a day and then every other day and then every two days, otherwise the condition could come back. If this didn't work she said to go back to the doctor and ask to see a specialist.
Anyway so far IT HAS WORKED and my eyelids are now back to normal. I can't tell you how relieved I am, although I know everyone who has this problem will understand. Perhaps many things cause these symptoms and so the same cure won't work for everyone, but I hope this helps someone.
1) Putting a special cover over my pillow (a zippered one that goes over the pillow before you put the pillowcase on) and washing it and the pillowcase frequently has helped.
2) Warm compresses
3) A touch of Cetaphil to the dry corner of the eye.
Good luck; I am awaiting any more news from all of you.
Rang doctor and he said use the hydrocortisone cream again, which I did and it has cleared it up, but don't want to have to keep using it, as skin will thin and veins bulge.
Am now trying Graph 200 homeopathic pills, and vitamin E oil on the eyelids.
I think it might be eyelid eczema, which can be caused by low self esteem, which would fit at the moment. I think this is a chronic condition that you just have to manage. I'm going to try and raise my self esteem!
--Started over Christmas break 2008/2009, so about 8 months ago. We always spend X-mas at our old fashioned lakehouse with a wood burning fire place. It can get hot at night under all the blankets and my room is on the top floor where heat rises. I woke up one morning with red, puffy, dry eye lids and red, puffy dry skin right under my eyes. I had just started using a new eye cream from Clinique, which I promptly stopped using. Obviously, I wasn't stressed over X-mas break, so I thought it might be the eye cream or just the dry cold air from winter.
--It starts to happen every 2 to 4 weeks all during the spring semester at school. I tried to think of common things that happened each time.
*I thought it might be the sun, bc I had been going to the tanning bed, which I promptly stopped doing (it's
horrible for you skin anyways). But then it happened one morning after it had been raining the previous day,
so I ruled out the sun.
*I thought it might be my laundry detergent on my pillows, bc it always starts in the morning, like I'll just wake
up with red, puffy, dry skin all around my eyes. I thought i might be allergic to something in my laundry
detergent, but then I started using the non-allergy kind that is #1 recommended by dermatologists and it still
kept happening :(
*I thought it might be my makeup, but I will go days without wearing my makeup and then it will just randomly
happen.
I finally go to the dermatologist, which starts my endless co-pays with no results! She told me to use Cetaphil facewash and moisturizer, which the face wash has the methylparaben (which is apparently banned in Canada and UK but not USA). The face wash is ranked 7 out of 10 on the hazard scale on the www.cosmeticsdatabase.com website and is considered high hazard... thanks dermatologist!! (complete sarcasm)
She also gave me a steroid based cream to use the first couple times I went, but she said that can't be used long term, so I when it kept happening, she said to come in for a skin allergy test...I did the whole patches on my back thing for a week and the results said I am severely allergic to nickel which we decided is probably in my eyeglasses frame, so I bought plastic glasses...and it still happens!!! Arg!! So, the dermatologist gave me this eczema medicine that is the consistency of vaseline that literally burns the **** out of my skin and makes it itch a million times more!! So, now I am at an ultimate complete loss for words, my frustration level is high!
Just out of curiosity, how many of you guys have some form of red hair and fare skin?? B/c I have Irish in me, and I have a red tent to my hair and am definitely fare. My family worships the sun and I always felt like the odd ball out, so i would just end up getting really sun burned a lot. I'm 21 and really wonder if I've done permanent damage to the skin around my eyes!!!!!! I'm terribly afraid!
Maybe it is the fungus, bc i do wear contacts and am probably not the best about washing my hands before I put them in/take them out, but then wouldn't my actual eye ball get messed up?!? All I know is it is frustrating as anything!
I am at a loss and i hate it. Makes me look old and feels terrible.
My doc basically told me to slowly stop using everything. That helps. Not.
I am going to see my dermatologist soon but don't feel hopeful that she will find the answer.
I wish someone could just tell us what the heck it is. : (
On 19th August I went to see a woman who specialises in getting rid of allergies. I was at my wits end, I just couldn't get rid of the problem, basically I was keeping it controlled with cortisone cream, using it as little as possible, but having to keep using it.
This lady uses a technique called NAET, she confirms your various allergies using kinesiology and then clears them with NAET.
I went to her every week for 5 weeks, and she gradually cleared my allergies one by one and during that time I had to use the cortisone cream less and less and the last week I didn't use it at all, and I haven't used it since. During the treatment I used Aqueous Cream to moisturise my eyelids and occasionally I use it now but less and less as time goes on.
My eyelids aren't back to their normal colour but they are not dry at all or itchy and definitely not swollen, so I'm very happy.
The lady said it was caused by an allergy because it was cleared by cortisone.
Hope this helps someone.
Keep posting your stories, maybe we'll figure this out for ourselves!
types of eye drops and creams. The one that really worked was Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream 0.1%.
After two days of using it twice a day, the red and puffiness cleared up. Hope this helps
That worked but then he started basketball practice and everyday after practice it would flare up big time...again the baking soda worked by morning but again flare up everyday after practice. I decided the sweat was irritating it.
So I thought it might be fungus also, so instead of using a fungus cream that I felt might be risky on the eye, he is using organic apple cider vinegar...the vinegar will kill bacteria and change the ph. It stung the first time but as it healed no longer stung. After the vinegar dried he puts organic coconut oil on it, since coconut oil has properties that kill bacteria also.
We just started this a couple days and its working so far. I hope it goes away for good.
good luck