Red, Cracked, Itchy, Cracked eyelids

[turemcture]

Ok, so i've searched many sites and threads regarding similar issues but i figured i'd start my own b/c it seems that it  may differ from other issues. This issue has been bothering me for over a year now. What happens is the skin around my eyes, above and below becomes very red. The skin all around the eye becomes dry, flakey, and itchy, and the upper eyelid eventually becomes cracked and, for instance, when i run, the sweat makes my eyelid burn.

I don't wear any makeup and for the better part of the time ive been washing my face with Cethaphil facewash. If i use any lotion on my face its Neutrgena oil-free for sensitive skin, but a the same time i try to avoid the area around my eyes. I also take daily claritan and vitamins. I've gone to the doctor several times for this and i was told it was an allergy to something. Tried changing soaps, detergents, monitoring my diet, and the other standard reccomendations to no avail. I recently moved to Japan a couple months ago, and have completely changed pretty much anything i've previously used on my body, as well as my diet so i hoped that maybe that what was agrravating me before would no longer be present, but that is not the case.

My doctor once prescribed a steroid ointment, Desonide. It does help clear it up temporarily. The instructions say to stop using it once the condition has cleared up, but only a day or two without using it and the condition pretty much always returns. I would love any advice anyone may have.

[Evol_Girl]

I am SO happy I found this...
For about 7 months now I have been in agony.  I too have dry eye lids, under my eyes and around the corners.  It comes and goes, but is always there a little.  It will get so dry and cracked that even washing my face with water hurts.  I've tried every type of eye cream, moisturizer, etc.  I've gone to the dr and they prescribed a steroid cream and said it was an allergy.  I don't wear make up, I switched to Cetaphil, etc. etc. etc.  I've been going CRAZY.  Sometimes its so bad and my eyes get so swollen I can barely see.  I found the Mario Cream and the EMUgency stick online and am having them both sent to my house.  I can only hope I get some relief... I hate being in pain like this all the time - not to mention, its extremely unattractive :)

Thank you so much for the advice and I'll keep you updated if anything helps!!

[craig309]

I had the same problem.  My eyelids looked like they had burn marks on them
and they were cracking.  After trying a steroid for skin near the eyes it cleared up but came back as soon as I quit using it.  I tried Mario Badescu control cream after seeing it in this thread.  It cleared up after 3 days and has not been back.  Thanks for recommending it.  I found it on Amazon.com if someone can't find it near them.  The other thing that helped was putting a humidifier in the bedroom for the winter.  Thanks again.

[bigbinco]

Hi:
My eye doctor diagnosed my condition as Blepharaitis, but I have not seen a symptom that I have described in that condition.  My upper eyelids are redish \ purple and it looks like there are microscopic tears (by tears, I mean cracks, not fluid from my) in the lids.  The  thin cracks that look sort of like paper cut size and slightly glisten like open wounds.  These cracks would probably not be noticeable except when I put my face close to the mirror or if an eye dr. was examining me.

My eye dr. prescribed erythromycin and that made no difference whatsoever in the condition.  Likewise, sterilid two or three times a day made no difference at all.   I have also tried burts bees medicated lip balm on my eyelids to no avail.  My problem is cosmetic only and does not itch.  Before trying another eye dr., I figured I would ask if what I am describing is in fact a common symptom of blepharaitis.   Next on my list of things to try is artificial tears to see if somehow added lubrication to the eye will help the lid. I live in a dry climate.Any other ideas?  Thanks for your help!  I appreciate it.

[evange54]

OK.  so I got my Mario Badescu Control Cream and I used it .. after just 3 days all is well - no dryness, no redness, no itchiness, no swelling.  I no longer have the burning that the Selenium Shampoo-Selsun Blue (recommended by my doctor) - game me. Eucerin did absolutely nothing for the dryness ..but this Control Cream did the trick.  It didn't burn or irritate at all.  I initially used it about 3-4 times on the 1st day .. then less and now .. just a week after getting it . I really don't need to use it at all.  I'm afraid of mascara so I've yet to use the hypo-allergenic Allmay product I purchased, but I do use an eye pencil for color.  I do use the same moisturizer I was always using on my face, making sure to avoid the eye area.  All is well.  The little jar was about $17,but it will go a long way.  And if this ever comes up again, I will definitely get it again.  Thanks to all who recommended it..

[Lbliny]

Mario badescu control cream...I read it on a thread and after six months of anguish it worked within two days. I am so grateful that I have to post on every site with the same affliction to help others. You can order online for $18

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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