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

[kwinn]

here i go....so for the last 6 months i have had itchy eyelids...my eye doctor told me it was due to mild allergies and prescribed eye drops which didnt help in the least so i turned to over the counter allergy medicine which hasn't helped either (so i dont think it's allergies) and in the last 3 weeks not only are my eyelids itchy but when i wake up in the morning my upper eye lids are bright red and swelled up so bad that its embarassing!!!! i have switched makeup brands, stopped wearing makeup all together, changed pillowcases religiously, done the compresses, used mild baby shampoo on my eyes to clean them now, i take my vitamins, gone to the dermatologist who again prescribed more allergy medication (hasnt worked) went to an Ophthalmologist who said he didnt think it wasnt blepharitis but really wasnt sure what was going on so he prescribed me bousch & lombs neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment USP to apply to my eyelids which if anything in the last 4 days of using it has actually caused the swelled upper part of my eyelids to burn...typically the swelling goes down thru the day but by the time night hits theyre back to being all swelled up again...im 25 and done as much research as i can...this is literally killing me...(and i hate not wearing makeup!!!) please oh please if you have any ideas of what i may be doing wrong or what i can do to help my poor eyes let me know!!! anything will help at this point!
thanks
~~k~~

[scQue814]

@jojocat19:  Yes, I live in the mountains of central-PA. My problems started in July, though. And I seem to be sharing symptoms with others who have auto-immune diseases.  (I do suffer from Celiac as well.)  Still, I'm not convinced not it's not fungal in nature--topical or maybe blood-bourne.  

Nizoral seems to show dramatic improvement.  Also, the rash's tendency to "migrate" a bit whenever a find a topical treatment that shows some degree of success.  

@MamaBear52: Methinks we all need to reevaluate what we consider "presentable".  Make-up is so unnecessary--though fun to be sure (I used to love to pile it on before hitting the goth club!).  But then, I've got my hair product that keeps me either all spiky or smoothed-down, so I guess I'm not one to talk.  

[jojocat19]

I noticed you are in a colder climate.  My symptoms begin whenever I take a trip up our local mts.  It is colder and dryer there!  And yes, Benadryl helps, but be very careful and use different applicator (I use Q tips) on each side, not to contaminate!  Would like to hear from others if climate (dryness, etc. ) are factors!

[MamaBear52]

Sorry have the same issues but I am in northern Canada.  I was thinking it was from red dye or colouring in makeup, then started to think it was the brow shadow my sister-inlaw just started me using.  Now I am not sure about anything, only that for the last few weeks I have been very uncomfortable.  It's the holiday season and your in and out visiting, meeting and greeting, need to look presentable.  Work starts on Tuesday, going to be a mess, just tried the Benadryl and some eye drops feeling some relief, but like everyone else would really like some answers????

[kvl424]

I am so thankful for coming across your post! I have had this condition now for 3-4 years. Each year, it gets worse. It starts as soon as fall hits, and runs its course until the summer starts. Considering I live in Western Pa...that is a long time! The eyelids usually start to become inflammed in the late evening, are very pink and swollen in the morning, and the itching is unbearable! I have tried eyedrops, allegery meds, different ointments and creams. However, when I tried the Johnson's Baby Shampoo in addition to Walmarts version of a Benadryl cream (Equate's Extra Strength Anti-itch Cream), I have been free of this condition! It's amazing! I still wear limited eye makeup and I have to be sure to apply this cream after each face washing. If i DO forget, I WILL experience a flare up. So, try the combination! THANK YOU!

[scQue814]

(Sorry again about that post above.  The conversation I was having with someone cross-pollinated into my post--wish they had an edit button.)

But I've been thinking overnight... and I really can't rationalise which is more logical:  going in with all guns blazing then backing off... or doing a rotating treatment, alternating different products every few days.  

Is anyone familiar enough with immune response (and tolerance building) on a medical level to answer that?

[scQue814]

Please ignore the last line of that last post.  The point is that developing an immunity to the treatment will only lead to further conditions.  Do the "on again, off again" treatment and you should show some degree of trackable success.