itchy red swollen eyelids,,,not Blepharitis - please help me!!!! - Eye Care

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itchy red swollen eyelids,,,not Blepharitis - please help me!!!!

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teresa122863

Apr 20, 2012

To: All

I have been on prednisone 3 times since beginning of the year for swelling, redness, itching around the eyes...Doc says its allergic reaction....I thought it was laundry detergent but most recently I had started using my old dryer sheets (I put them away after issues in January).....This last time, I had injection and 6 days of steriods and then within a few days eyes are swollen, itchy and red again...I was taking Zyrtec and benadryl daily...Yesterday, I started taking allegra and it seems to be working!!!!!! And Neosporin has new product...eczema essentials body wash and moisterizer which are the only products that don't irritate my skin around eyes...

Ladie510

Apr 21, 2012

To: worried..

For about a month now my eyes have been extremely dry, swollen, and have had green gooey stuff that has an odd odor that kinda smells like onions.. Every morning my eyes are so swollen and crusty that I literally can't open them unless I force em open with my fingers.. It extremely hurts and has caused me to have close to no eye lashes left :( im at the point where I wont go out in public anymore and this has made me so depressed all i do is lock myself in my room shutting out the world due to embarrassment.. I try to hide my face even from my 8 & 9 yr old daughters.. PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND HELP ME GET BETTER!!

scQue814

Apr 21, 2012

To: Ladie510

Sounds like a MAJOR eye infection to me! There's a delicate balance between needing the health-care professionals and taking care of things yourself. Unless you're living in a sci-fi Blade Runner universe... you only have one set of eyes! Right now, I say to SEEK A PROFESSIONAL!

tootired10

Apr 23, 2012

To: Ladie510

I hope to God you're a troll. If not, see a DOCTOR STAT.

achillea

Apr 23, 2012

To: Ladie510

Go to a doctor. Today. This is serious.

becky2001

May 05, 2012

To: cc12368

I found something at Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday that gave me great relief! "Vitamin E stick" by Reviva Labs for $3.98. The package says "all natural". You never really know what that means for sure, but it has vitamin E, olive oil, castor oil, beeswax, and some other ingredients in it. Soothed my eyes immediately.

achillea

May 05, 2012

To: becky2001

It's good that it is working for you, but watch for signs of an allergic reaction to Vitamin E (as experienced by another poster on April 17, above).

Vitamin E applied to the skin is a fairly well-known allergen. You can google this for more information.

tlba

May 06, 2012

To: All

Well, I thought my itchiness went away with a 2 days of steroid cream. Came back, and am sticking with Steroid cream for at least a week this go around. Has anyone ever been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. My doctor said it could be possible that this is my problem when he takes into consideration my other health factors: allergies, asthma, and small rashes on my legs and behind my knees throughout childhood. I also have a very dry scalp....

Tam5423

May 07, 2012

To: djg045

I felt like this was me writhing this I am 45 I have had this for over a year now. I have been to a dermotologist and an allergist I am allegic to a lot of stuff fragrance wise so I got all fragrance free stuff and it has done nothing I still have the red itchy swollen eyes along with the symptoms you mention on my neck and around my mouth. I find it really weird that so many of us have th same symptoms and no one can diagnose what it is. I have no idea what else to do it's driving me crazy!
Tam in Missouri

vetmp17

May 12, 2012

To: all

My patch test revealed 7 allergens that I reacted to: paraben, fragrance, nicket, black rubber, potassium dichronate, Mercapto mix, and Tixocortol-21-Pivalate. I am symptom free for the most part due to being aware of these allergens in my products, and trying products like Vanicream and Free and Clear for lotions, shampoos, conditioners, etc. My dermatologist also sent me a list of makeups, etc. that they say are safe for me. I also am using the Selsun Blue medicated shampoo twice a week which I think helps with the overgrowth of fungus/yeast which my opthamologist recommended. I also have switched to fragrance free/sensitive laundry detergent, softener, and dryer sheets. I am being very cautious at this point because I do not want another break out. I also am using my Nasonex every morning and zyrtec at night. I hope everyone finds a solution to their situation and I hope my input may help someone.

mrw55

May 28, 2012

To: All

Hi, I've had similar issues for about a month now. I woke up one day and my left eye was swollen and red. The outer corner of the eye felt like it had been bitten by a spider. I soaked with a tea bag and it the swelling gradually came down. The skin on eye lid and below eye was flaky. After 4 days, it was almost back to normal, then I awoke with the same exact thing in my right eye. The odds of being bitten in the same exact place on each eye seemed a bit long,,,This time the skin issue spread to the cracks around my nose and on my chin. Doc put me on steroid pills and at first the swelling came down but after 7 days I was hit with both eyes and more cracks in my skin. I've tried many remedies from this site. Selsun Blue worked for everything but the swelling, but after some improvement, I had another flare up. Tee Tree oil mixed with Castor oil burned and aggravated, as did Oregano oil/Castor oil. I'm now on J baby shampoo at least three times per day. I can't believe this is yeast related because I gave up sugar and anything that turns to sugar 4 months ago. I was thinking mites, as I have a dog and a cat and the second flare up followed an intense itching above my eyes. It felt like something was under my skin,,,,,,I too am avoiding doctors, (I spent 200 for an eye doc to tell me to go to a skin doc,,,,wish I'd told him where to go) Anyway, I'm on the mend with the baby shamp and Mario creme is due in soon, but I'm wary of a flare up. I appreciate all who have posted and I will continue updates. I'm a 57yo male with no history of allergies.

stephnickie

May 28, 2012

To: All

Hi, my name is Stephanie. First of all, I want to extend my empathy for he people suffering from this problem, it sounds truly unbearable.
I also have some suggestions of a different sort. 70% of the time that I have a physical problem, I resort to natural cures. I do this because I feel that pharmaceuticals tend to be a scam, causing more problems than they claim to fix. most of the time I am able to find a natural cure to my ailment (and my dogs too) by googling homemade and natural remedies. I also swear by acupuncture. you can literally use acupuncture for every human ailment. if your insurance does not cover acupuncture, yu should be able to google a 'low income' or working class acupuncture clinic in your area. they are hundreds of them through out the country. I very highly suggest this to anyone suffering an ailment that they just can't seem to figure out. I hope all turns out for the better for anyone suffering.

mrw55

May 29, 2012

To: all

Update. I had some swelling around my left eye last evening and this usually leads to an attack. I took 2 benedrylls and all is well this morning. Mario creme comes today and I'm going to see what non.drowsy clariton does. Hope all of you are mending!

penny4619

Jun 01, 2012

To: djg045

I have exactly the same symptoms and in the same places. I'm a little confused though as everyone is talking about a low immune system when mine is overactive.

scQue814

Jun 03, 2012

To: penny4619

Not your immune system per se... but your overall health. For instance, a "gluten attack" for someone with Celiac disease could throw the gut flora out of balance and lead to a bout of SIBO (small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Does that mean that otherwise you're otherwise uhealthy? No, but if enough dominos fall, you could get there quickly. Also remember that an over-active immune response can exert stress on the body and start those dominoes falling.

mrw55

Jun 04, 2012

To: all

Mario cream definitely helped with the cracked skin. I continue washing with both Johnsns baby shmp and once a day with selsun blue. I had a little swelling last evening and took a clariton non drousy before bed. So far so good. I'm getting some acupuncture on Wed (they say liver is involved) Thanks for everyone's help on this post. Without it,,,,,,,,,, well, thanks!

Tubac

Jun 04, 2012

To: All

Regarding Mario cream, I think its great but not for your eyes. I use it for my dogs persistent anal itch. Its the only thing that seems to work. My oriental rugs are thanking me. My wife and I tried it (we both have blepharitis) and our eyes swelled up like overinflated party balloons.
I finally traveled to the American Eye Institute in LA (Cedars Sinai) where I was instructed to use warm compresses and massage the lids twice daily finishing with Johnson's Baby Shampoo (the clear kind, green bottle, not the gold one) on a Q-tip scrub using the antibiotic steroid drop Tobradrex (1 drop 2X a day at the end). 6 weeks to clear up I'm told, then continue then regimen sans the Tobradex. After 1 week, they are improving. Mine at least is bleph.

bethfrenchteacher

Jul 12, 2012

To: fellow sufferers from eye problems

I am 53, and up until I developed this eye problem, looked young for my age! :( I have been reading all of these posts for the last hour, and I just don't know what to try. There have been so many seemingly good suggestions. My symptoms are: red, puffy, itchy eyelids. I honestly don't know what to try. I have some olive oil, so I think I will go put that on right now. I will buy some fish oil capsules, and I guess I will take this list of creams and oils to the health food store, and see what I'm inspired to try. I will report back here, if something helps. I would also appreciate any suggestions from anyone, too....thanks...Beth

mrw55

Jul 12, 2012

To: bethfrenchteacher

Hi Beth, I used the process of elimination. Tea Tree oil made my face blow up. I tried acupuncture and it was working but it got too expensive as they wanted to see me twice a week. I'm pretty sure mine is an allergic reaction, but to what I don't know. I'm using the gold Johnson's baby shampoo and would try the green if I could find it. Also using Selsun Blue and taking anti-histamines at night. I use the Mario creme and it works for me. These steps are controlling it but my eyes water constantly and that dries out the skin,,,,,best of luck!

M

melis488

Jul 15, 2012

To: mrw55

You mentioned acupuncture. Did you go? What was the outcome?

jaysta36

Jul 16, 2012

To: melis-488

you guys should try cutting out caffeine worked for me allergy thing

ganafbby

Aug 06, 2012

This happen about 2 weeks ago. The past 2days i thought it went away. And I got my itchy burning eyes back. I wash my eyes with baby shampoo. But that's doesn't work completely. Took allergy pills. Doesn't work completely. I mean it helps a little. But at this point I'm annoyed. I haven't been wearing makeup since. Wearing my glasses. Same moisturizer for years. Maybe its outside allergies. But idk. Sneezing also. Allergy runs in the family. I mean why are they constantly randomly itching. I never had this problem. Also been gettingstyes. Its just painful. I'm 20 yrs old. I wanna be able to wear my contacts. And mascara or concealor atleast. I'm fair skin with tan dark circles. Idk. Hoepefully I find out the issue and find a relief to these swollen itchy dry crusty burning stye wanna rip out my lashes!!!!! After I itch them. They become moisten then the oil glands clog up I'd. Its weird. Let me know what ya done. Doctors appointment in Sept

laceydrawws

Aug 08, 2012

Ive had this problem for about 5 years with a total of 10 flairups....alot of people mention moisturizer as part of their lives....I only have a breakout when i use one with spf! I cannot have oil of olay spf 15 for sensative skin any where on my face or my eyes breakout which lasts for a week with me treating with j&j natural head to toe wash on my whole face then dabbing on aquaphor with a warm wet wash cloth. Its very depressing time but it passes and my eyes are like new after because of the skin sloughing off LOL *alot of water proof mascaras also have spf but I have usually used them when i used sunscreen so I dunno if it contributes or not

achillea

Aug 08, 2012

To: ganafbby

You say you've been using the same moisturizer for years.  Surprisingly enough, that could be part of the problem.

Our immune system has to have "met" something before in order to form an allergic response to it.  You can't really be allergic to anything without having been exposed to it before.

Since allergy runs in your family, it couldn't hurt to try a new moisturizer, one that is totally bland, without any vitamins, plant extracts, sunblock, or perfume.  Some people have good results with Cetaphil or CeraVe, for example.

Here is a study highlighting the ten most common allergens in moisturizers:
http://www.jcadonline.com/moisturizer-allergy-diagnosis-and-management/

jenpap

Aug 09, 2012

To: All

Hello fellow sufferers, I feel your pain!! I am stunned there are so many of us!!
I'm 28 and have had the same sort of thing for past three or four months, started off just itching in left eye then gradually the skin around the inner corner got rough and scaley, raised and red and the redness started to spread up my eyelid, more recently it has started to swell in the morning and stays pretty swollen throughout the day. This last week it has appeared in my right eye also, the scaling is not so bad but it swells all along the lash line and is very itchy and flakey, it also started to become red and flakey underneath the bottom lid too. I tried the hot compresses and cleaning with baby shampoo etc but no improvement. I thought it would go away but it has not, so I have just seen my dr today and she says it is eczema!! I am not totally convinced because of the swelling but she says that is just a blockage in the glands which she prescribed flucloxacillin for, i will update you on my findings with that but in the mean time for the last few days i have been applying aqueous cream (very cheap, available at all pharmacies) and the redness and flakey ness has greatly improved, my left eye looks almost normal. Also, Apparently, I have heard from several places that if you take one to two tea spoons of olive oil a day (gross i know) it does wonders for dry skin, eczema and various other dry skin conditions, you can also dab it on to the wrinkled areas which i also have, and it makes it appear less so. It must be the good stuff though - extra virgin, cold pressed, I'm trying Fellipo Berio, don't know if you guys have that in the states, I'm from uk.
Hope some of this is helpful to some of you, good luck!

jenpap

Aug 14, 2012

To: All

To update my earlier post - the flucloxacillin has worked, my eyes are no longer swollen or red! So it must have been an infection. The skin does still itch and flake slightly but there is new soft skin appearing now so that's gotta be good!! As to what I said about the aqueous cream, don't use it! I stopped after reading a lot of research on line about it thinning the skin and as eyelids, especially inflamed ones are already very delicate, this is a bad idea. I have been using oatmeal paste - made at home, plain oatmeal and warm water, to soothe the itching and redness and also as a daily cleanser as it cleans the area without irritation and then applying the olive oil to the area and it is all working so very pleased! Hope some of you are having success also.

JenMcB

Aug 14, 2012

To: ADVChic

Thank you for that information- so like my condition.

gillian121

Aug 20, 2012

To: all

I was told that my blepharitis was connected to a bacterial mite on the eyelid. Like others I tried baby shampoo which only made things worse. I have no wrinkling on the eyelid but eyes very itchy and red along the eyelash line which looks as if it has dandruff. Then I read how someone cured their blepharatis with honey. So I gave it a go. Put a tiny amount along lash line twice a day and woo hoo it worked.
Gillian

lenachristina

Aug 21, 2012

To: cc12368

I have a suspicion it might be eczema related to the scalp. Try different shampoos and see if that helps. Baby shampoo does not work for me. The fragrance is not good. I used Dessert Essence shampoo. My Dad used to use a dandruff shampoo (stronger than head and shoulders). Experiment with the shampoos and avoid hair sprays and other hair products for a while. See if this helps. In addition, try to avoid eye makeup for a little bit as your skin heals. Then you'll be able to go back to it.

tlba

Aug 22, 2012

To: lenachristina

I have started to buy "natural shampoos" with tea tree oil in them, I then add a few drops of tea tree oil to the bottle; this has seemed to help my itchy scalp. I don't doubt that it is all connected. I also had adult onset acne that one doctor believed was related to all the problems as well!

Welly10

Aug 24, 2012

I USED to have the itchy, red, scaley eyelids. I posted on here a couple years ago and thought I should share my results in casse it could help others.
I have always had hayfever since a child. I am 47 now.
For the last 3 years my sypmptoms had progressed but only with my eyes/ eye lids.
Here is what WORKED for me...I now take 12 Claritn almost year round. I can get by with less in the winter here in MN.
I ONLY use Almay eye shadow. (since its hypo-allergenic)
I have NOT had any issues for a little over a year now. Maybe this will help someone else out there!

Welly10

Aug 25, 2012

To: Welly10

opps, ^ I meant to say 12Hour Claritin.

scQue814

Aug 26, 2012

To: All

Flucloxacillin is anti-fungal.  Also keep in mind that if you have a localized infection, that other problems can piggyback and complicate things.  (Meaning: you may have more than one infestation co-habitating.)

This is why I had success: I attacked the problem from many different fronts.

Do your research (after reading this ENTIRE forum post, from beginning to end) and treat the problem like it's fungal, bacterial and demodex overgrowth.  If you don't you're only attacking part of the problem. You may help in the short-term,. but in the long-term the symptoms may return.

My solution:  Swab the eyelids and eyebrows with 3:2 mix of Castor Oil + Tea Tree Oil.  Do this for 3 days on, 2 days off.  Also, wash the hair and face with Nizoral shampoo, allowing it to rest on the affected area for several minutes before rinsing.

Every time you feel that tingle on your skin (like a microscopic bug just crawled across your eyelash)... start the process over immediately.

Eat lots of yogurt (and many brands) to keep the gut flora diverse.  This does contribute to overall health.

Also remember that if you do suffer during different allergy seasons, these times will stress the body in such a way that your skin infection can return.  Take special care to maintain your regimen during this time.

Finally, be aware that allergy meds can stress the liver.  If you tend to drink, beware of mixing time-released meds with alcohol.  This can stress the liver... which trickles down to other biological systems, effecting the body as a whole.

scQue814

Aug 26, 2012

To: scQue814

Oops. I said anti-fungal. I meant anti-bacterial.

zorro72

Aug 26, 2012

I had this problem that seemed to get worse during the fall and winter seasons. I actually tried a remedy from a blog that I was following to try and get some relief and it worked. I treated it as a yeast infection and put Monistat cream on my eyelids. At first it burned then flaked but it was getting better. My dermatologist then prescribed Cloderm cream which helped sooth it further and Protopic ointment. I only occasionally use these products as Fall arrives. Other than that I have been symptom free for 1 1/2 years.

leepeters

Sep 19, 2012

To: Lee

i used eyes n mites lotion, tried few other things for itchy eyes, it turned out that have demodex mites in my eyelashes so this lotion is helping s far. they say if you got the mites on your eyelids and eyelashes don't apply any antibiotics, it makes it worse. hope it help

JM2752

Nov 02, 2012

To: all

A solution that has helped me ; if you use hair dye and rub your eyes afterwards (even up to a couple of days later) i got the same the same eye reaction. Do not use vaseline as that causes bags under the eyes and use a eye ointment ( i use optrex), and dont touch your eyes with your fingers , carry around a hankerchief and just dab the eyes.One more thing do not put moisturiser on your eyelids, the eye ointment worked for me use 3 times a day and my eyes cleared up within a week. This works for me and only came back when i used the hair dye even then it cleared up thanks to the eye ointment. IT WORKS TRUST ME!

chacha740

Nov 30, 2012

Yay! yay! I'm so glad I found this thread. I've been dealing with this off and on for a year and a half. The first bout I tried to wait out, which led to a full blowout on my face two weeks later. My eyes started to swell shut, and my face blew up like a balloon with an oozy itchy rash. I was the star of the ER that night. I was told I had a massive staff infection, given anti-biotics which seemed to calm things down, only to have the symptoms come right back 4 days later. Second trip to the ER was a drip IV of anti-biotic and diagnosed with ringworm. Prescribed expensive creams that did nothing. Third trip sent me from the ER to a dermatologist (after a 4 hour IV drip), and was told contact dermatitis. I was given a shot of cortisone and sent on my way.

I sit here now, over a year and many episodes later. Both eyelids itchy, right eyelid swollen, and the rash is returning to my face. I narrowed it down to ... wine, mold, rats (in the chicken coop... grrr!), or the down comforter on the bed. The one thing that I keep noticing that seems to be present is rain. This last flare up started a day or two after a day of rain. Yesterday day brought more rain and everything has worsened. I'm going to go out on a limb here, and please excuse me if I offend or put off anyone, but since this seems to be a relatively new phenomenon (with in the last several years) could there be anything in the 'cloud seeding' compounds that the planes lay out that we could be collectively reacting to? I spend a lot of time in the yard clearing brush and whatnot. Just a thought. Off to take another benadryl. Sigh.

achillea

Nov 30, 2012

To: chacha740

Cloud seeding usually involves either silver nitrate or dry ice.   According to wikipedia, there have been a number of very detailed studies indicating that silver iodide is not very toxic (it's used as a wound dressing) unless you get a massive exposure, and the amount they use in cloud seeing is teeny.  As for dry ice, well, it's just carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale.

Anyhow, what you're describing is pretty clearly an allergy of some kind, rather than a reaction to a toxin.

The fact that it's much worse after rain strongly suggests an allergy to mold, and apparently you have chronic exposure to that because of a rural life style, what with chicken coops and brush clearing:  mold is present everywhere, especially in soil and on plants, and farming-type activities really put those spores into motion in the air.  Of course, a damp house and certain foods are bad news, also.

Here's a long and excellent article on the how-and-what of mold allergies, the symptoms and how to deal with them:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/mold-allergy

You may benefit from oral antihistimines before working outside (every single time), using a facial mask, and showering off immediately after outside work, as well as taking off and washing your dedicated  gardening clothes every day, and keeping them in a mud room or someplace that keeps the spores from getting into your living quarters.

The keys, though, are to limit exposure and control your environment as much as possible, and solving your problem may involve a major change in lifestyle, since you are clearly quite sensitive.

anthonysgirl

Dec 11, 2012

Hi all,

Its been about a year since I last posted, I've been meaning to do so for ages to be honest. Happily, oh so happily, I am now cured! Just as a recap: from summer 2011 I had really bad flaky, itchy, swollen and sometimes bright red eyelids almost always. It also spread to the bridge of my nose. I tried the following:

- Aquaphor (about 70% effective but I had to pile it on all the time)
- Rue Fennel tincture (no good for the eyelids but excellent for eye infections. Unfortunately Herb Pharm has discontinued it now)
- Lamisil (no effect)
- Tea tree (no effect)

I had started a yeast free diet, thinking that this was based on having a yeast overgrowth or something, but in the first few weeks I also ordered Mario Badescu Control Cream. I know this hasn't worked for everyone but hell yes it worked for me. Within two days my eyelids were perfect. PERFECT. As though it had never been there. I've never been more shocked - to be honest the creases of cracked dry skin under my eyes and on the lid had been so bad (even bleeding once or twice) that I thought the lines would never actually go completely, even if I found a 'cure'. I couldn't be happier! I used it religiously as a night eye cream for months, and now only if I feel the risk of it coming back - the only mild flare up I had was over the summer when I had been rubbing my eyes a lot due to allergies - it got a little flaky but the control cream took care of it again.

I don't know what it is about the Control Cream that works so well, but I wonder if it might be to do with the Carageenan in the ingredients? This seaweed is a microbicide. I don't know really - just throwing it out there.

I hope some of you can have the same relief! Best of luck!

Tubac

Dec 24, 2012

To: vetmp17

I followed your lead and painted on the Selsun Blue. After about 3 days the lids swelled up like two balloons and I ran off to the eye doctor feeling pretty stupid. I've been told numerous times by eye doctors familiar with blepharitis that it is the "gift" that keeps on giving. I'm going back to my old regimen of Tobradex drops twice a day which seems to keep it under control, though sadly, it never goes away...
Also have you noticed how many people have recommended the Mario Cream? Very suspicious!

achillea

Dec 24, 2012

To: Tubac

About the Mario Cream: I haven't used the stuff, but if you do a web search for reviews, a lot of people (more than could likely be 'plants') actually seem to find it very helpful. One caution overall should be that it contains Balsam Peru, a resin or sap that for some people is soothing or medicinal--but for others is a real allergen, as described here:

http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/balsam-of-peru-allergy.html

tlba

Dec 31, 2012

To: chacha740

My experience is slightly similar, in that the reaction crept up on me innocently until the morning I woke with my eyes swollen shut. I definitely have a reaction to product with Vitamin E (typically reads Tocopheral on ingredient list). That has been proven once again when I went for a facial and she must have forgotten and used a product with Vitamin E (usually she is very careful).

I have taken a close look at the ingredients in products, if Vitamin E can cause a reaction, then what about all those other ingredients that aren't as natural as Vitamin E? On a whim, I purchased the Wen Hair Care System by Chaz Dean a few months ago (I got suckered with the commercials), what I noticed was that my dandruff and itchy scalp happened to disappear--- didn't even realize it until I didn't use it for a few days and itchy scalp came back. So, I began to use it on dry patches behind my ear (they disappeared) and then I began to use it on my eyes (very very small amount). It seemed to work well and the puffiness, discoloration, dryness, and flakiness has subsided substantially.

Most recently I read an article about using castor oil and olive oil and coconut oil to wash my face (love PInterest!) and I have been doing that for about a week. I also started to use sugar and lemon scrub, and honey as a spot treatment for the cystic acne that persists on my chin. Crazy as all that seems, I have not used any face lotion, nor have I had to, and I don't have dry patches on my face or lids. I am going to assume that if you google some of that stuff or search it on Pinterest you will find information on what to use and how much. With the oil I only wash my face at night--- I don't even have to wash in the morning, no new zits have come out and cystic "underground" ones have moved to the surface. You do have to watch natural ingredients b/c you can form reactions to them--- as I get reactions to Vitamin E and I formed a reaction to Tea Tree Oil (used to be my go to for spot treatment). However, not to have to use a steroid cream on my eyes (the only thing that got rid off my itchy, puffiness) is huge in my book!
Good Luck!

Maidinheaven

Jan 15, 2013

To: Kwinn

I get the same problem & although not officially proven I think it might be to do with lack of sleep and stress. I have some mobility issues at the moment which at 45 was unexpected and stress me out plus not sleeping well due to pain. For me the problem seems better when I sleep better. Also if you're run down maybe some vitamins, that's my next thing to try. Good luck. X

jaysta36

Jan 21, 2013

To: Everybody

I've had this problem for over 25 years,recently tried flaxseed oil from health shop tea spoon in morning and 1 tea spoon at night,as well as that i use simple night cream small layer rubbed on close eye lid before bed,wow! noticed a massive improvement ,almost gone,and eye don't feel dry and sore so keeping this going on a daily basis works!

cck83

Jan 26, 2013

To: All

I have the same problem for years. When my eyelids are red and swollen it is so uncomfortable and looks awful. It is draining and not fun to live with. First let me say, I have a lot of allergies and asthma, besides that I am pretty healthy and just turned 50. I have tried everything. Changed shampoo, soaps, creams, laundry detergent and mirad of other things. I have increased water consumption and elimated from my diet any potential food that I thought might be the culprit. Do you know what really works? Predisone. When my asthma flares and I am put on predisone my eyes are perfect. The topical cream works too but the pill is even better... and that is also the bad news. Who wants to take that stuff! My problem is even made worse by drinking. I don't drink a lot so I have can definitely say when I consume alcohol, approx 1 1/2 days later my eyes will flare horribly. First it was wine (dropped that), then for a while it was fine, now even vodka causes the flare. I have basically stopped drinking totally. As i have tried every other treatment, teabags, baby shampoo, allergy pills, you name it, I have tried it. Now i am looking for a herbal predisone. I have added tumeric to my water (anti-inflamatory). Has any one tried an herbal predisone or is there a herbal type predisone cream? This comment is for the people that have already tried everything else ever even suggested that might help.

scQue814

Jan 27, 2013

To: cck83

cck83, your comment was by far one of the most helpful I've seen on this thread in quite some time! People who draw connections over the course of long periods of time are the folks who will actually help figure out what the problem is!

I have cc'd my bio-/botonist friend on this. Please do not hesitate to provide updates!

tlba

Jan 29, 2013

To: cck83

Hi,
See my post from 12/31/12. I was in a similiar situation where the steroid cream worked great, but who wants to put steroids on there eye lids! And it comes back if I don't use it. Since I have been washing my face with oil and I use coconut cream for a moisturizer, and honey as a spot treatment (for acne). I have not one problem or anything close to a flare up!
Good luck, I know we are all different!

orchidluv

Feb 01, 2013

To: everyone

I have had swollen, scaly,itchy, wrinkled eyelids with the creases opening up and painfully scabbing. When I realized this was eczema, I remembered my two month old daughter having it years ago (all over her face). I went to the health food store and they recommended EPO (evening primrose oil - an essential fatty acid), calendula lotion and probiotics. I took the EPO and probiotics myself and she got the remedy through my breastmilk. It cleared up within days. So now, remembering this, I tried the EPO starting on Wednesday night (I used a super potency 1300mg - 117mg GLA -GammaLinolenic Acid w/ 949mg LA cis-Linoleic Acid), took it 3x a day for just 6 doses so far and the improvement is pretty remarkable - almost back to normal. Thought I'd share what worked for me. Good luck to everyone who is dealing with this.

orchidluv

Feb 02, 2013

To: everyone

Please if you want to consider using EPO as posted above check out the cautions from the medline website (esp if on anticoagulants or medications like anti-inflammatory pain relievers that may cause bleeding). Here is the link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1006.html#Action

jrios143

Feb 02, 2013

To: everyone! helppppp.

Please help ... Eye lid is driving me crazy!!!! Itchy, swollen, red eye lid comes goes away and comes back. I went to the opthamologist and he prescribed me drops and told me it was an eye allergy. At first my upper right eye lid was very dry and flaky with no itching. Then it gradually started to swell up, turn red, dry up and itch like crazy. I've never had this issue and its lasted a month already! I am not allergic to anything and have been using the same make up as I always have. I would put herbal moisteriser on it and it would go away after a couple of days. After it goes away I would apply make my make up lightly with foundation, powder , and mascara and I am fine the whole day until after I take off my make up with makeup remover tissue that I've been using for years and wash my face ...my eye lash line becomes very itchy at night and by the time I wake up my eye is swollen, red and itchy! It goes away after no use of makeup but comes back after I use mascara or anything around my right eye lid. I've never had make up allergies in my life! It's driving me crazy and it been going on for a month now and ONLY my right eye, on and off please help!

achillea

Feb 02, 2013

To: jrios143

You say " I am not allergic to anything and have been using the same make up as I always," but the key to allergy is that your immune system absolutely must have had exposure to something beforehand to develop a reaction to it.  Therefore, something you have 'always used' is the most likely candidate to trigger a reaction.

You also say you have you have used "herbal moisteriser".  That's the thing:  Living plants--herbs--use their powerful, natural ingredients to repel pests.  They make a LOT of chemicals to deter bad things from eating or bothering them--and those are the very things likely to cause a reaction, because the plant has developed these compounds to discourage other things from eating them.

I'm so sorry, because it takes time, but it's necessary to go back through many, many posts here to figure out what your *particular* problem--your very own problem--is.

In the meantime, I'd suggest no makeup, no foundation, and no moisturizer beyond perhaps a little vaseline.  Cetaphil or something like that to wash your face at night.

But read what others have said and see if it could apply to your condition.

scQue814

Feb 03, 2013

To: all

Just chiming in with an update: I've had NO RECURRANCE of symptoms in several months! I reiterate my approach: treated it as if it were simultaneously allergy, demodex overgrowth AND either fungal or bacterial infection.

Like Achillea stated: read and re-read all the previous posts in this thread. Be diligently methodical and logical while trusting your quiet intuition. You can make sense of this!

tlba

Feb 05, 2013

To: jrios143

I would suggest not using anything around your eyes! what you describe is similar to the redness, flakiness, dryness, itchiness that I suffered. You can develop reactions to ingredients you have previously used. I would stop using things, let it clear up and then one by one work in your make up routine to identify which product works. Also, just b/c these symptoms go away for a few days or even a week doesn't mean its gone for good. I stopped using all products (I wash with olive oil and moisturize with coconut oil) and until I did this I the symptoms for over a year before I had to cut out everything.

Everyone has their own suggestions, so you will have to sift through them to figure out what works for you..... there are many suggestions! Good Luck.

Cakulmom

Feb 07, 2013

To: tlba

How do you wash with olive oil?

tlba

Feb 09, 2013

To: Cakulmom

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

This is where I first read about it ( pinterest is awesome) I then googled it and learned more! I primarily use olive oil, and about once a month use olive and castor oil. The castor really draw zits and black heads out, but I don't want to use it daily. An important thing that some of the information doesn't include is that you should splash your face with cold water following the cleanse oil. After rubbing the oil you steam your face with a hot wash cloth to open pores, the cold water helps close the pores....

briwnie

Feb 22, 2013

same issue staryed last winter. again same time this winter. I moved into abnew housw heaged with NG. 4 octors said contact dermititis. Maybe menopause. I just don,t know. It is yncomforable and looks horrible. bI get some relief from OTC eye ointment and eye drops with anahistiminw.

briwnie

Feb 23, 2013

To: briwnie

sorry for all the typos. cell phone touch pad and tired.

holdsworth1

Mar 07, 2013

To: Tam5423

I have the same symptoms for the last six months and cant figure it out. The only difference is that I figured out I am allergic to Polyester, found in almost all clothes. I simply have almost given up, I hve dry itchy red swollen eyelids and undereyes, and have tried all over the counter and th like. Ugh.

diamonds01

Mar 10, 2013

To: All

I have very sore swollen eyes that itch like mad.I also have red dry skin round my forehead,on back of legs and arms. Can anyone tell me what it is and how to get rid of it please

tlba

Mar 16, 2013

To: diamonds01

You are probably allergic to something. Those are the spots that would typically get me. For me it is Vitamin E (tocophoryl on an ingredient list), and tea tree oil. I would check lotions of bars of soaps that you use. I would cut out anything you use in those areas, one at a time, to see if it clears.

jtoverdrive

May 02, 2013

To: diamonds01

Thought I would post my experience. A little over 2 weeks ago I also came down with itchy eyes...then the redness and swelling and scaling (sandpaper) came to follow. Went to the dr who prescribed Tobrex..used the drops for 7 days and no make-up...cleared my eyes up, but 3 days after I stopped using the drops..my eyes flared back up again. So I got on the internet and started searching..found this site and guess what I am not alone. Read alot of the posts and this is what I did for the last 4 days and my eyes are 90% cleared of this mess. With every treatment I washed my eyes with Johnson's baby head to toe wash morning and night. First night I used monistat vag cream on my eyelids..next morning eyelids were more swollen..used it again that morning. About 4 hours later used Burt's Bees soap bark & chamomile deep cleasing cream..on my eyelids..just put in on with a q-tip..this stuff has alot of the other things people have tried all in one bottle. Used this cream 1 more time..then at bedtime. Next morning eyes looked a little better...used cream again...waited about 4 hours and used the cream again. Another 4-6 hours later used a baby wipe and removed any cream and mixed a 1000mg flaxseed oil capsule with tee tree oil..half and half (in a small cup) and put it on my eyelid with q-tip. Used the same thing again at bedtime except I also used neosporin lip health as well. Put the oils on first..and the applied the neosporin on top with q-tip and rubbed together. That is all I'm doin now morning and night..I have some peeling and a little redness in the corner..but that's it. Hope this helps somebody out. Remember if you only have one eye infected treat both eyes, but use clean hands and q-tips..dont cross contaminate. Also use a clean q-tip every time..once you touch your eye..throw it away and get a new one.

RB222

May 30, 2013

Benzalkonium Chloride is the culprit!!

Thank you everyone for posting. I've been suffering from the same symptoms which began with pink eye then progressed to the itchy, red, puffy upper and lower lids. I'm anxious to try some of the suggested remedies.

Thanks to reading through the comments I'm 99% sure that my symptons are occurring because of the antibiotic drop I've been using because of the preservative Benzalkonium Chloride that is found in it. My eye is having some sort of reaction to it. The things we've been prescribed to help are actually making things worse because I bet many of them contain this ingredient.

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