Swollen itchy eyes and lip rash/sores

[Danni0099]

For the past 10 years I have had really sensitive lips and have only been able to use one type of lip balm. As anything else - lip sticks of glosses give me little sores on my lips and cause them to puff up and get little scabs and peel contantly - i also get dry patches under my eyes and eye lids. When I visited a doctor they told me I may have an allergy to nail polish and an ingrediant in lip glosses/balms its also happens when I were nail polish. After removing it it usually clears up within a week.

Recently I havent even be able to use my usual lip balm as my lips react to that as well and my eyes are puffing up and getting extremly itchy and stinging. I was heading overseas for 3 weeks and the doctor have me some tablets to take to clear up my lips as she said they looked like they had a staff infection. Whilst I was OS all my symptoms cleared up completely and within 2 days of returing home everything started up again!

A week after I had been back,I woke up in the monring and my eyes were completely closed over and extremly swollen. I visited a doctor and they said I might have hives or some type of allergy. I was put on antihistmines and a course of panafcortelone, which helped with the eye swelling and the lips alittle. but now i have reduced the amount of panafcortelone I take daily as I am at the end of my course, as have been told it isnt something I can take long term and my eyes are becoming more irrated and puffy and my lips sore are getting worse.
I havent changed any make up lately or products like toothpaste, washing powder.

Does anyone have any sugguestions what it might be, as its dirvinbg me crazy!!!!

[TearSarBear]

Hi There!

I have tried Claritin and it doesn't help with these particular symptoms. Eliminating dairy, however, helped drastically!

[heidinardo]

I just got my first bout of this as well.  The only think I've changed is that I started drinking green shakes in the morning.  They are packed with kale, fruit, chia seeds, almond milk, and coconut oil.  I have looked into a nickel allergy because the symptoms from that allergy cause contact dermatitis.

[Yikes_2015]

Thank you for this information.  My PCP doctor also mentioned "today" to wash my face with baby shampoo.  I'm desperate, so I'm going to try it.  I also saw where someone on this site mentioned using a diaper rash cream A+D ointment and it worked for them.  I pray this works for me too.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Thanks again for all of your great info!

[ThiaRose65]

just over a month ago, while having a horrible bout with another allergy of a very itchy rash all over my body, my lips also got sores on the corners and became very dry.  all cleared up except for the dry and tender lips, which "exploded" just few days ago with swelling, blisters, itchiness, soreness.  The swelling has gone down after eliminating all lip balms, due to the advice of my allergist, but the corners are still very sore, cracked, and get yellow crusty like scabbing, as well as a couple other random spots on lips.  Of course I am also currently under some stress, as well as suffering greatly from the spring seasonal allergies in WA state, which forecasts had prewarned it would be an extra bad year for allergy sufferers. Anyhow, today I had Dermatologist testing patches put on for chemical tests, and I have an appointment set up with the allergist the end of July for the other things such as food and grasses, trees etc. allergies, it definitely is a process to get things narrowed down.   I do have a terrible allergy to Nickel, may even be bad enough to have to change the way I eat, which is unfortunate because it's high in a lot of the foods I love, but it would be well worth it if it helps me not to get Acute Contact Dermatitis on my hands and feet.

I do wonder though if any of this has to do with Yeast.  In my research there is a lot that has to do with too much Yeast in our bloodstream, once there it can give us all kinds of problems, including skin, our lips are still skin!  We are all so unique, and can try so many things, that could actually make matters worse or prevent them from getting better.  I am beginning to believe we are all so unique that the best way to deal with this, besides getting information on good sites like this is to get both Dermatologist Testing and Allergist Testing done, and maybe treat ourselves for Candida caused by Yeast.  Being proactive and working together for a solution, will work towards a solution!

[sdiaz15]

I tried Claritin, but had no relief.  I have had this for years and it seems to be getting worse- but my stress level is also at a fever pitch.  I am going to try to regulate what I eat (I have food allergies) and exercise more.

[EmilyMcI]

Hi Hampus,

I've read through many of the comments here and found yours to be one of the most helpful. There seems to be some commonalities amongst us, but with so much information it gets quickly confusing. I like how you've tried to summarize things.

I wonder if there is some way we could all fill out a survey, does anyone have any expertise in this area, in terms of the types of questions we should be asking (with the goal being to discover things that my be common to all of us). i.e. are we all women, a certain age, certain similar exposures, North American, white?

I'm new to this forum and don't know how they work necessarily. If someone posts a comment do they automatically see all follow up comments?

Here's a few things I've gathered after reading all this.

WHAT IT CAN'T BE FOR ME:

- avoid non-natural soaps / makeup / detergent / cleansers (I've been doing that anyway for years and my issue started afterward)
- avoid dairy (I'm vegan, and have been well before symptoms started)
- change sheets / pillows (switched to hypoalllergenic and no change yet)

WHAT IT COULD BE (what I'll try next):

- avoid cinnamon (I eat a lot of it - it goes in my coffee grinds every morning)
- take 1000mg of Vitamin C
- take a probiotic (there's a vegan one available, I'll try it)

There's so many more tips and tricks in the above, but will start with a few in case it helps to identity. Any ideas on how we can make some use of all this info in the comments would be great!

Thanks everyone, and I hope you're finding solutions that work for you.
Sending healing thoughts to all.

Emily

[jj1234567]

Has anyone ever found out any information about this??  I am 20 years old and i have been having eye problems for 2 years.  When it first started i had a viral conjunctivitis which i was put on steroids for.  Even after that was cleared up i was still on steroids for about 3 months because of the swelling of my eye.  For a few months my eyes were fine and then my eyes became swollen red dry and itchy.  I would also get a lip rash and really dry lips.  I used make up to cover it for a few months until my skin was so dry that make up wouldnt go on even anymore because of the dryness.  I went to both the regular doctors and the eye doctors and they both had no idea what was wrong.  I then went to a dermatologist which diagnosed me with contact dermatitis.  She prescribed Fluticasone Prop 0.005% Ointment for my lip rash and also TobraDex eye ointment for my eye lids.  The rash cleared up within a few days.  I stopped using the medicine and also continued to not wear make up.  After a few weeks i went back to wearing makeup but an all natural one this time.  After a few days the rash was back so i stopped using make up all together.  I havent wore makeup for 3 months now.  I switched my soap to dove for sensitive skin as suggested by my dermatologist.  The last few weeks my eyes have been getting worse.  I started using the medicine again that i was prescribed but it does not treat the symptoms anymore and i dont know what to do. any suggestions??  

[lisa36122]

I am 47 years old and never had an allergy, eat right, exercise...etc. I began having an "eye allergy" last Oct. 2012 in one eye and then reoccurring in March 2013 in both eyes. Started out so red and dry and seemed worse when driving through rural areas and times of stress. The eyes are now not as deep red and watery but rather itchy and now the entire area around the eye has become a problem. Nighttime is when it rears its ugly head with severe itching and comes on all at once. As soon as it seems to be healing it flares up again yet worse each time. It had now spread to my lips, chin and a little of my neck area under the chin. I do believe that it is an immune system problem and a result of an underlying health problem and stress makes it worse yet. I have been dealing with kidney stones and the stress issues would get anyone. All within a year in this order, Lost my mom, got a divorce moved 1200 miles away from family, fell in love, got my heartbroken all the while looking for employment. Yay. I now have a job and I work online thank you God because I am so hideous I just can't imagine having to work with the public. I haven't even gone to the gym in two weeks because the redness and swelling is so bad. I would like more info on the Kenalog shot. I need to be able to get out and enjoy life and any break by a shot would be so welcomed.

[medg]

I recommend going to a rheumatologist and getting blood work done. I think it has to do with autoimmune disorders of some form or fashion.
I've been having the same issues for the last couple of months and thought maybe I was finally suffering from "spring allergies", but it is still happening.
I notice it occurs when I drink alcohol (especially red wine) and when I get sun or that combo. Not good with summer coming.  Am still trying to figure out the actual cause and plan on going back to my rheumatologist after my vacation to check on my psoriatic arthritis and lupus status....
Sorry to read about the sufferers, but glad I am not alone and crazy!

[Loriey]

I am miserable...get a itchy,tingly feeling in scalp,lips,tongue throat and random area on my body.A breakout on shoulder and center of back...I know I have allergies but nothing showed up on tests...corners of eyes and end of my nose is driving me nuts.Claratin helped for maybe 4 hours with some of the symptoms.My ears feel hot at some times and I walk around in a fog.From not getting any sleep.

[rashlady52]

I'm back and am embarassed to admit that I have discovered the cause of the rash (see my previous posts).  I have known for years that I am allergic to sodium lauryl sulfate and am shocked to find out it was in my toothpaste.  I did check the tube and it only showed the "active ingredients" with fluoride, however when I was at the store recently I checked the box and there it was; "Inactive Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate".  I immediately stopped using and the rash has gone.
I now make my own toothpast with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil.
Good luck to all of you.

[rashlady52]

I just wanted to add that I had this realization ; I think we would all agree that these are all some type of allergy - doesn't really matter to what, whether it be food, environmental, chemicals or whatever but taking it to the next level I ask the question: Why are we suddenly allergic to these things we were not allergic to before, and came up with the answer "Because our immune systems have weakend and we can't combat these irritants any more".  I believe we need to strengthen our immune systems.  On that note I also believe that high sugar refined carbohydrate diet creates yeast infestation and lowers our resistance.
As I said earlier I am in the process of cleansing my system and reducing yeast promoting foods.  It's only been a couple of weeks but my rash is in a waning stage at present.  I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Any other ideas on strengthing the immune system?

I feel for all you - take care.
JC

[rashlady52]

Just realized your post was 2011!  Wonder how you are doing today?  I also am early 60's and got this thing for the first time in my life about one month ago.

My symptoms: dry patchy, itchy, red around the eyes, neck and upper chest, lips that felt like cold sores developing all over them (I had cold sores since I was in my 20's dues to stress), then burning, itching and dry, and eventually peeling, also had heavy rash on my shins of my legs in the beginning but that seems to have cleared up and it's just the eyes, lips & down the laugh lines of my face.  I look like a 95 year old lady!!!

When it first occurred I woke up and my lips were swollen and my eyes were puffy, red & itching.
I  live in California and thought it was the dry winter air at first. I went to a doctor and they gave me stearoids to take for 6 days and Benadryl which  seemed to ease the rash for a couple of days but then it came back and has been coming and going for the past month to 6 weeks.  

I decided I needed to do something radical as my diet had been bad and I was eating a lot of fried food, chocolate, cookies, sugar for a long time and so went on a 4 day liver flush/cleanse and it all went away and my skin looked beautiful for a couple of days then it started all over again.  

Mind you I have stayed on a very healthy diet since the cleanse and have stopped eating chocolate, cookies, sugar, dairy products, and significantly reduced my wheat consumption (so hard because I love my toast/bread/pasta/sweets, etc.). I will try eliminating all the "yeast promoting" foods and see if that helps.

Other than a sulfur allergy that I have had for years I have always been very healthy. I have always avoided any products with sulfites, shampoos, conditioners, body wash etc., and red wine (unless it's made with organic grapes). I exercise by swimming, dancing, yoga, and I meditate regularly.

After reading all the posts what I'm resonating with most is the YEAST overload, the HORMONAL changes (or lack of them to help immunity) , not to mention STRESS.  It sure is a mystery and is also driving me crazy because I don't want to go out and socialize.

I have to mention for the record that I have done Pranic Healing classes and although I have not been practicing much I decided on the day I began the liver cleanse to do a session.  The next day I felt better and the rash cleared up but of course it's been coming and going since.

Thank you all for sharing your stories and I hope we will get to the bottom of this eventually.

Blessings & love,
JC

[adabs]

I have read all these posts in attempt to find the reason for my own red itchy scaly eyes and lips. i have had this going on for more than a month and i have realized some patterns. it seems as though we have been getting it in the winter months while under huge amounts of stress. our immune systems are down and the cold virus is out. I have tried vaselines and antibiotics but they didn't help. i eventually tried natural methods and they seemed to work the best. i would use flax seed oil for under my eyes and areas around my forehead throughout the day. for my lips the best remedy was rapeseed honey in the morning and again at night. the lips will get a tingly sensation and the honey will melt a little bit. it went down significantly. now an old Indian man told me to use lysine+ for my face as that has more antiviral herbs in it and i look and feel like my old self :) i also am keeping my immune system up and eating right. good luck.

[Aka502]

Before my skin issue was out of control, i saw a legitimate psychic.   She said "when you get around it quitting milk will really help you".For 4 months i had the same eye and lip problem.  Somehow I never connected my skin problem to milk (I probably didn't want to quit ice cream and cheese).  So when I finally decided to quit milk my skin irritation totally went away.  It only comes back when I mistakenly eat something with milk.  Try eliminating all dairy for a few days to see what happens.  My symptoms went away with a couple of days of stopping all milk.  

[mraeb]

When I was young (middle school age) I remember having a terrible lip rash that they diagnosed as a yeast infection.

At about high school age eczema appeared after my mom switched laundry detergents. I experienced a rash after going into the ocean in the bahamas around this age as well. I was diagnosed with an allergy to fragrance and avoided all cosmetics and laundry detergent with added fragrance and this cleared the problem.

In my early 20's I started having and upset stomach after dairy, sometimes it was extremely sudden. Also, my lips would itch after tomato, and citrus. The same with melons except that the back of my tongue would itch as well. I was diagnosed with environmental allergies, grass, pollen, dust mites...as well as food allergies. Soy and dairy caused stomach issues where as tomatoes, citrus, melons caused lip or tongue reactions. Tomatoes pretty much gave me swollen, almost scabby lips. Extreme discomfort.

In my late 20's I was able to start eating tomatoes and citrus again with NO reaction. Still afraid to try melons because of the tongue itch. Started to eat dairy again. Some cheeses caused less upset then others. Any boyfriend I had had to switch to fragrance free detergent and soap or it would cause discomfort and/or infections.

Now at age 31...started with a patch of eczema on inside of elbow after a trip to the beach a few months ago. Then I started getting small red bumps (tiny pimple like on arms, stomach, under chest and back) This turned into eczema patches. Along with this came the lip issue again, as well as burning around eyes, with red rashes. This occurs on and off on my neck and shoulders as well. I went to med express and they gave me a oral steroid which cleared it up quickly but it made me moody and very anxious. It was terrible. Since then I have had skin tests done for environmental factors and blood work for foods.

Results:
- dust mites, grass, pollen, 3 molds, trees, ragweed
-wheat.
ALL of my previous food allergies tested negative. The allergist did give me an interesting list of foods that coincide with evironmental allergies. Such as ragweed and tomatoes. Apparently these foods contain the same or similar proteins and the weed and can cause reactions as well.

This Wheat allergy is quite an adjustment. I had a flat bread last night and woke up with blisters on my lips and a rashy eye. I have to start a strict diet to see if the symptoms go away.

I have learned that this is all a process of elimination. A frustrating one. It is hard for me to believe that it is JUST the wheat all of a sudden causing this reaction. I did just move into a new apartment a month before this, AND then a boyfriend moved in with me a month later. SO many factors.

I wish everyone well with finding the cause of their reactions and I will try to post again when I figure out more triggers.

p.s  A journal helps. Record food and environments daily.

[buttercupps]

Hello Dear,

I', m still thinking of food allergies,for all of us  , as when I leave home base,I feel comfortable with surroundings,no itching and so,but when it is home time again,all symptoms revert to negative... :-(
I imagine it may be the diet we eat elsewhere ??
I have the same questions like you: environment.pets,food,bedding,immune system..etc...it can be anything to trigger. Keep your emergency cream at times with you...

[buttercupps]

Hello Dear,

So interesting to read all the columns on allergies,as I also have  developed a sort,that cannot be identified.  No allergy test done  yet,as I still believe to find reactants in my surroundings....must be the citrus fruit,as we are living amongst these heavenly  bushes .I  do live by trial and error...and somehow still cannot trace the allergy by name. sudden Swollen lips,blistering and scabby  healing within 14 days ...just to trigger off again. My sister from OS has commented on blood type and diet allergies,but in my poorer country,we have to rely on ,what comes on the table. BUT  crede Coconut Oil  used externally and internally may help to de -acidify the body. Hands and wrists blistering,extreme with itchyness maybe to  contact dermatities or is it the allergy to acids ? and only ointment Hydrogalen can calm the impulse to scratch and spread .How can I obtain a list of foof-stuff to identify it's acidity ?

[em11215]

Thank you for your very informative post. I have been on a gluten-free, dairy-free, no eggs, no peanuts diet for the last two months and have seen great improvement on my usually swollen itchy flaky eyelids and upper lips.
Yesterday was my son's 2 year old birthday and I ate cupcakes and drank white wine. Woke up with a big fat lip and itchy everywhere.
Time to go back on the diet, and I'll check out the products you(DeeDeeBee) mention in your post.
I'm working with a homeopathic doctor in NYC who's approach is mainly dietary. Anyone have anyone else in NYC they recommend, allergists, dermatologists, etc? I would love to be able to narrow in on and identify specific triggers.
So frustrated and at the end of my rope with this condition. Thanks.

[starlightblue]

I'm glad that I found this forum and can relate to most of you and your symptoms.  I have the super itchy, dry, peeling lips. My eyes itch terribly (especially on the eyelid of my right eye).  I also get the red and dry patches of skin above and below my lips.  I didn't go see any doctors so far hoping that these symptoms were seasonal and will go away, but they haven't! (it's been almost two months now, not that long compared to some of you guys).  Anyways, my aunt noticed the skin around my lips and she made me try a steroid cream called Mometasone Furoate.  Her daughter had dry itchy patches of skin all around her body (apparently an allergy to dust mites).  The cream healed all of her skin.  For me, I tried it around my lips for two days and seemed to have improved A LOT.  I'm skeptical to try it on my lips and around my eyes as these are sensitive areas.  
Like many of you I wonder what really is or are the causes of these symptoms?  Is it environmental?  Or can it be internal, hormonal, health, stress related?  Does it vary from person to person?  
I live in NYC, but when I went to Vermont for 4 days, I noticed that my skin improved dramatically...lips and eyes were not crazy itching or peeling, and all around skin was ok too.  I took the steroid cream with me just in case and I didn't even have to use it!  A day or two I come back to NY and immediately started to feel the difference, especially on my lips!  They were starting to crack, itch, etc, etc.  Over in Vermont I was using the same lip balm and make up and nothing happened.  It is frustrating to not know what causes these problems, but I will try some of the things that you guys mentioned above.  Thanks for sharing and take care everyone!  

[jzipfel]

I use protopic and locoid for my lips and eye lids and it helps a lot.  Yesterday I went to another dermatologist ( I have been through 3 allergy testing including patch test of my make up and products) and she told me nail polish and gold! She also gave me a shot of prenisone.  No one has even said anything about this.  It has been a frustration as no one can figure anything out!  I will see if this helps!

[jtee_]

Dove soap has fragrance (parfum) as an ingredient. I strongly recommend you discontinue use and stick to cetaphil wash, especially with your reactions!

INGREDIENTS IN DOVE SOAP ARE: Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Slearic Acid, Sodium Palmitate, Aqua Lauric Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Parfum, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, zinc Oxide, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Alumina, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool.....

[08of10]

Medicine that works!
I have had the same problems as others: itchy,peeling, crusty lips and eyelids.  I tried using my eczema meds on my eyelids  which made things worse!  Prescription eczema creams designed for legs/hands are way too strong to use on eyelids and the lip area.  After a week on a strong antibiotic prescribed by my Dr (who said I would need to be on it for 2 months!), nothing improved and I went to a dermatologist.  He prescribed meds which helped immediately: Protopic (tacrolimus ointment).  I also try to avoid certain foods (pineapple) that seems to cause the itchy lips. If my lips/eyelids start feeling itchy, I apply just a little Protopic and it clears things up right away.  I wear very little make-up now to avoid flare-ups but can get away with wearing Almay products.  The dermatologist suggested Vanicream Moisterizing Skin Cream for my face (Vanicream makes a sunscreen as well) and Dove soap.  I  also avoid all things that have added fragrance, including laundry detergent.  Every so often I have to switch to Free and Clear Hair products because my scalp will get itchy bumps/scabs from regular hair products. Hope this info helps.  

[clare1982]

Hi everyone - I'm so glad I found this thread.

My problems started literally overnight back at the beginning of December - severely swollen red eyes and unbearable itchiness, and extremely sore, dry, cracked skin all around my eyes  (the dry top lip has only started within the last couple of weeks).  I went to the docs who prescribed antibiotics for conjunctivitis.  Naturally these didn't help at all and the problem steadily got worse until one eye was swollen to such an extent that it was shut tight.  

I'm lucky that I work close to Moorfields Eye hospital so after a couple more unsuccessful visits to my doctor I took a trip to the Eye hospital A&E - they immediately diagnosed the problem as allergic rather than bacterial and prescribed steroid and antihistamine drops as well as diprobase cream and hydrocortisone cream to help with the skin irritation around my eyes.  This did help slightly but by no means solved the problem completely.

It's now been three months and the steroids are becoming less and less effective and I'm miserable!  I have an appointment with an allergy doctor on Thursday next week - I had to be a bit aggressive with my GP to get her to refer me but eventually she agreed, and I've had to wait eight weeks to get my appointment.  I've been told to come off all my medication for a week prior to the appointment so they can get a good picture of the effects so I'm off the steroids now and am struggling to cope with the pain and discomfort - I'm just gonna have to grit my teeth and bear it until Thursday.

Also, when I went into work today I burst into tears infront of my boss because it all got a bit too much for me (that's the first time anyone at work has seen me cry and I think it surprised me just as much as it surprised everyone else!) -  I think my boss now realises just how badly this is affecting me mentally in addition to the obvious physical effects - so he did the most amazing thing:  He's paid for me to go on the firm's private medical insurance policy so now I have an appointment with one of the UK's leading allergy specialists next Friday afternoon!  I still can't believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing boss!

So anyway - now I have two appointments with allergy doctors, one on Thursday and one on Friday (I'm not going to cancel the NHS appointment - some people might think that's selfish of me but I'm so desperate to find a solution to this, I want to see as many doctor's as possible!).  I promise I'll come back and let you all know what happens - all your posts have been so helpful to me, I really hope I can come back here with some encouraging news.

I've been taking notes as I've been reading all the posts so I'll be going to the docs armed with all sorts of ideas for possible causes/treatments!

Take care everyone - here's hoping we all get our problems sorted out soon!