eczema on my eyelids- help

[KWL51]

no where else but really dry itchy eyelids.
I've not changed anythign and no more stressed than normal. I have no idea what to do about it or how to soothe it.
I have now gone without makeup for three days to see if that helps, but no improvemewnt and i look awful.
Help please.

[vjg13]

Buy some 1% hydrocortisone ointment from Boots and use sparingly. Don't say it's for your face though as they are told not to sell it for use on face. It should look much better in the morning if you put some on before bed.

[flipflopflap]

I get eczema around my eyes, and the only thing that works is hydrocortisone, you're not supposed to use it on your face but sometimes I have no other choice. I also switched products which has helped, sparkly eyeshadow makes it much worse, and I switched to natural eyeshadow and liner, which keeps it at bay for a while.

[thereinmadnesslies]

I got this and the nurse suggested mixing hydrocortisone cream with E45 cream. It took a couple of weeks to go. It turned out that I was reacting to Clinque eyeshadow - I'd used them for years without problems but I replaced one and the ingredients must have changed in some way.

[KWL51]

oh wonder if benefit have changed the formula of thier mascara then? its the only thing i can think of.

thanks for the suggestion, i will see if the chemist will supply me with the cream.

[Sheila]

Don't want to be a scaremonger but please go to your GP before you start sticking steroids on your eyelids - they can cause glaucoma.

Also, you may have Blepharitis, which may need antibiotics

I get flakey eyelids in winter and a really good moisturiser usually sorts it out - try your E45 first.

Hope it gets better soon :)

[KWL51]

Ive been using aveeno and e45 but no signs of improvement yet. Maybe i am just impatient?

[jellybeans]

One of my DC has it and hydrocortisone ointment is the only thing, sometimes you need it mixed with antibiotic or fungal-maybe try canesten. You should be careful around the eyes though and not use it too long (my son's max was 10 days but really they advise 3 and very thinley spread). You could see a pharmacist but they usually say see a doctor for anything on the face or near eyes/steroids etc in my experience.

[HipHopOpotomus]

I've got this before - down to stress in my case.
Have you tried supplementing with a good quality fish oil?? It works.

[LadyEmmaHamilton]

Yy to hydrocortisone, for face doc will prescribe but dont bother with the prescription. Will cost you ££ and it can be bought off the shelf for much cheaper. Just don't tell them it's for your face. So long as the soc has actually prescribed it it should be fine.

[thepureemporia]

I would suggest be very careful aorund the eye area. You dont want to damage your eyes. You may want to look at your eye makeup remover and your makeup as the cause. Many contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin even if you've used the same one for years. (skin changes, ingredients change etc). Go for an oil based remover a it is much less harsh than alcohol based ones and try to use mineral makeu - it works with your skin. Also use a gentle natural moisturiser to help your skin recover.

[mousymouseprice]

you can get hc cream over the counter at the chemist. be careful not to get any into your eyes. and moisturise moisturise moisturise. and avoid make up until it's better.
I hate it when that happens to me I look like racoon just not as cute

[pipsy76]

Sounds like Blepharitis to me, as a pharmacist I am horrified with the advise to lie to the chemist to get steroid cream for eyelids without proper diagnosis. Look as NHS direct site for advise on treatment of Blepharitis it certainly isn't steroid cream!

[BettyBathroom]

I put argan oil on my eyelids - it helps to alleviate the dryness, calm down the skin too, makes make up easier to apply. Moisturisers are even a little too harsh for the eye area - I think they tend to puff up your eyes making the situation worse. Would really try to aviod putting steriods on my eyelids - it thins the skin and on your eyeids that's the last thing you want.

[ameliagrey]

You can use hydrocortisone on your eyelids but don't say it's for that when you buy it.

You should only use it for a few days and apply it thinly.

I used to use it and ended up with wrinkly lids.

The instructions for selling steroid creams are very OTT- all my family have seen dermos and experts about skin- eczema - and they are much more relaxed about steroid cream than GPs or pharmacists- who have to follow the guidelines which are there to cover the product licence- in case anyone goes mad with it and does really silly things and ends up with thinning skin.

[ameliagrey]

BTW- if you go to your GP they can prescribe 0.5% hydrocortisone- which is ironically script only, despite being weaker than the 1% you can buy OTC.

You can use it on your face but again, use sparingly.

[ameliagrey]

I thought blepheritis was inflammation of the rims of the eyes and maybe the eyelash follicles? it is totally different to eczema on the eye lids.

[JoantheFennel]

Throw away all your eye make up and buy new when its cleared up. Do you use touche eclat?

[TitsForBrains]

I have the same problem. The GP told me to get hydrocortisone cream OTC which I use when it flares up and I use Aveeno moisturiser every day which helps minimise the number of times it happens. I have been using this approach for quite a while and have checked back with the GP who tells me that my approach is fine.

[HelloShitty]

I get this regularly - usually at this time of year too. Yes, hydrocortisone works quickly, but as others have said, it is not the right thing to put on your eyelids. The skin on your eyelids is thin enough without rubbing steroids into it. I use calendula cream which takes a little longer, but is effective over a few days. It tends not to reoccur for a while after either.

[squifflybobs]

Hello I get this and it's awful. Agree Eczema on actual eyelids and blepharitis are totally different. My DP is a GP and gets me to use 1% steroid applied very sparingly, and only for a few days at a time. In between I now use diprobase daily and don't ever wear eyeshadow, am saving a fortune on expensive eye creams and make up. I haven't had a flare up for ages- at first tingling I tend to slap on loads of diprobase and hide in the house and 9 times out of 10 that does the trick ( realize this may not always be practical' sunglasses also helpful)

[harbingerofdoom]

HipHopO Heard about fish oil but not tried them.Do find that extra Vitamin E supplements work. I think that both may help repair the skin from 'the inside' as such.

[thejaffacakesareonme]

I get this too. The GP prescribed 0.5% hydrocortisone which I do use sparingly as per the instructions on the packet. I also use vaseline or waitrose baby bottom butter on my eyelids between applications as I find the hydrocortisone is absorbed and my eye lids itchy hours before the next application of cream is due (the baby bottom butter has never been used on my kids!). The GP is fine with this. I tried using E45 but found it made my skin sore which made my eyes water, exacerbating the problem.

[puggirl]

I have had the same problem the last few weeks, not sure whether it's eye make up remover causing it/cold weather/stress at work?

Had been going easy on the eye make up and using rich moisturiser at night ( either dermalogica skin smoothing or waitrose bottom butter) mixed with a few drops of clarins face oil for dry skin ( got sample size free from nice clarins counter lady).

It's clearing up a treat. I wore eyeliner yesterday for the first time in over a week

[BettyBathroom]

I'd be careful about trusting the advice of a GP - many don't know very much about eczema, what's it to them whether your eyelids wrinkle quicker than the rest of your face - their assurances are cheap! Even dermotologists can talk a load of guff - I've seen plenty and over the 40 years I've had this condition....have yet to meet one with a solution and plenty who speak a load of nonsense.

[KWL51]

I don't think it's blepharitis as no funky or crusty bits and nothing like the pictures I have googled. Gp can't fit me in until latter part of next week as a non emergency appt. so will go and see chemist tomorrow.
I think the e45 and aveeno may be making it worse as they sting after application.
I use soap and glory facial wash and moisturiser at the moment and have done since Christmas as got an overload of them as presents. I usually use elemis moisturiser and clarins gel cleanser.
Make up wise I use garner under eye highlighter/concealer, Chanel vital lumiere foundation a mineral powder to set, usually just an eyeliner and mascara. Bourjois bronzer. I've not changed brands for a while as even though I buy and swap and change brands and products I tend to stick to one until its finished except my benefit mascara as for some reason it doesn't (usually) irritate my eyes. Mascara sometime makes my eyes it by but this is my eyelids closer to my eyebrows than my lashes.

Thanks for all the suggestions.