What is going on with the skin around my eyes

[Nic165]

I've had this for many months now. I do suffer from eczema but this is not so much dry, but really red and sometimes itchy. I haven't changed my make up and haven't taken anti histamines or used steroid cream as I'm pregnant. Anyone know what could be making my skin like this? It's only my eyes that are affected and really getting me down.

My DSister has this for a long time. She was advised to cut out dairy to see if it cleared and and it vanished within days.

Might be worth a try?

Just seen that you are PG. Congratulations!

If you do cut out dairy, make sure you take a really decent Calcium & Vitamin D supplement and eat loads of green veg

Could it be blepharitis? That can manifest on the eyelids like that sometimes. I suffer with it and it flares up for a number of different reasons, mostly because of a product I am using. I've found that products and facewashes often change their formulas so I have to be careful of that, and I also have to be very careful not to bring any moisturiser near the eye area at all as it causes irritation. Do you use an eyelid primer? They are also a main culprit for me.

Now that I think about it I have started using Clinique make up remover which I haven't used in years (didn't have a reaction before but things can change I guess). And I used to drink a lot of almond milk but went back to cow's milk over the last few months. Also I had a cheese toastie for lunch today and my eyes (and face and neck in general) have been so itchy and red ever since. I don't know if it can have such a quick effect but definitely worth stopping dairy to see. Thank you for the advice!

Yes, it can definitely have such a quick effect. Sorry OP

Hi @Nic165 how are you getting on with your eyes? I've had similar for months! Changed my bed and mattress incase it was dust mite as it seemed to come up overnight the worst. That didn't help. I'm already dairy and gluten free (cos of other issues) but I got rid of any fragranced products, including naturally fragranced shampoos etc (although I didn't have many anyway). That didn't help. Also I stopped using tissues to wipe them when sore (sometimes my eyes water), as I discovered they are impregnated with chemicals, and have switched to hankies and reusable cotton pads. 0.5% hydrocortisone from the GP willl clear it up very quickly, usually completely gone in two days. But I don't want to do that long term. I didn't use any hydrocortisone last week, put on a tiny amount over weekend ('maintenance' therapy), and today I've woken up with sore eyes again. GRRR! Anyway, to cut a long story short - do you wear glasses? I worked out back in October that it had flared just after I got my new prescription glasses (and that the same thing had happened a couple of years ago, so a very nice optician ordered me organic lenses that did not have polycarbonate or anti-glare in them. They worked great. So he then ordered me some glasses with organic lenses but also anti-glare coating on top. I wore these yesterday!!! (also wore them a few weeks ago and eyes flared, but I could not be certain it was them). Anyway, I think I may have got to the bottom of it finally. So, if you wear glasses, this could possibly be a cause....? Its very frustrating, I know!