At the end of my tether with under eye issues, not sure what else to use or can be done

[Redruby2020]

So I have posted on here before about this but it was more to do with appearance of eyes. I know that age and lots of stress etc has had an impact.
But since this year, I am not sure if it even started before this year.
Over time this under eye issue has developed/got worse, I have been to the GP, and they then asked me to go to the minor eye clinic, checked all fine, they said it was a skin issue and the GP needed to look in to it further. Went to see a GO again, useless, just basically in a round about way saying you just have to live with it.

So it’s basically the left side, gets swollen on the outer side of under eyelid, red, dry, itchy. Looks almost red/purple ish at times. You can see quite a difference. Almost like you could think I got hit in the face.
Previously I thought it was from possibly getting hairspray in my eye/it falling on that area.
And then different eye creams etc. Which some of the ingredients in these creams will have probably irritated things.

I use the same mascara I have used for years, and the pink Garnier Miceller to remove it.

I have gone back to more basic eye creams. But now only using Epimax eye ointment as it was recommended by a pharmacist. I am now not sure if even that has made it redder.
I now see a bit of it on the right eye, and eyelids just above are getting red and dry.

I think some of this is due to stress if I’m honest. Which has been unavoidable to an extent. Hoping some things will improve now, but still not near the end of the added stressors.

I wonder if my pillow is also worsening things, I changed it this year, not very good. Hoping there is nothing in that causing any allergy, also I do find it uncomfortable, and it may be causing some swelling around the eyes, although I guess this can happen anyway when you wake up in the morning, especially in 40’s, and I’m thinking depending on diet etc too.

I did return to the GP recently and was booked in with a Paramedic of all people, they do this now, instead of booking you with a doctor. They actually seem to be better and do more as I found out before.
And they booked me on the service pathway with Dermatology, which is quicker as you get a video/telephone call so you are not having to wait to be seen, and I guess from there they will assess whether I need to be seen further.

But any advice or similar experiences will be gladly accepted.

@Redruby2020 Had something similar, saw an eye specialist and had operations for dry eye to correct no effect. only thing that worked was taking a daily tablet of doxycycline and washing eyelids and lashes morning and evening with baby shampoo.

Thankyou 🙏 no i don’t have gel nails. I also agree that once it starts it can just escalate and everything upsets it. This is what is happening with me too I think.

Yes sounds like blepharitis to me (but am not a dr). My eyes get sore, can’t tolerate contacts any more, eyelashes have thinned and can get styes more often. There are treatments that can improve this.

You need to get on top of the skincare ingredients issue, above all.
(I flinched when you said you used that Rose Micellar Water to remove eye makeup, for example)
Every product you buy has the ingredients listed on it, and once you identify the main offenders re reactive skin, you’ll be an adept in no time.

The information is easily found online, in varying degrees of detail, but as a matter of urgency, strike out any product containing sodium laurel sulphate/SLS, perfume and essential oils, and urea. Loads of other things can set a person off but these are main offenders.
(Watch out too for alcohol: if the word appears alone, as merely ‘alcohol’, then it’ll be drying at the very least and is never used in the most beneficial skincare ranges. Alcohol will appear in other forms though, often as a neutral wax, and non-irritating. These will have a prefix such as ‘butyl alcohol’, and they are fine)
Parafin/mineral oil: it wasn’t til I abandoned this in skincare many decades ago that my skin really healed for good from hyper-reactivity. In itself, it’s harmless stuff but it also prevents any good bring transmitted or absorbed, as it just sits atop the skin.
Silicones: dimethicone is in many moisturisers and it too just sits there as a film, serving only to feel silky to the touch. I see it as a (harmless) total waste of space, and prefer ingredients which can actually do some good! These are plants. Botanical is best, in my experience.)

But here and now you want to halt irritation, introduce calming, and generally treat your skin extremely gently.
I’d try brilliant Balmond’s products (Boots has them), or the Trilogy Gentle range, and the HyloForte range of moisturising eyedrops is terrific.
You can buy eyelid wipes for blepharitis which will soothe a lot, or just swipe with original Optrex on cotton wool.

The important thing is to stop using stuff you haven't scrutinised for potential irritants, given this bad reactivity, and wait while things return to normal. (Wont be long) Skin likes calm and gentle, and repairs itself well. keep everything perfectly clean of course, and never use biological washing powder on your bedlinen, as its ferociously irritating. (Does sound like a bit of irritation was allowed to pick up a little infection via a mascara brush, or a pillowcase for example)

Steroid cream, the low dose OTC type, is useful but not near the eyes, and only ever very rarely. Soothing drops will help your eyes (and you can also use eyebright tincture on your tongue)

I’ve got an eye mask from boots I heat in the microwave that the optician recommended. itchy skin can be due to declining levels of oestrogen affecting collagen - it’s been really noticeable for me. Think HRT patches would stabilised and top up the levels that’s what I meant.

i tend to think with skin you’ve got topical treatments and then the underlying cause - hormone imbalance etc. I have no medical qualifications whatsoever it’s only my experience of this. Of course the pmt swings etc of peri can also lead me to over consume sugar too.

Hi, thankyou for your reply which has lots of useful information and things to consider, and what to look at excluding.
I use the Garnier pink top miceller water, so the original one, fragrance free it’s supposed to be for sensitive/dry skin. Not the rose one, no j wouldn’t use that one on the eye area. Even though I think all of the many miceller waters that Garnier sells, says suitable to use on eyes.

Didn’t think about using things like Optrex that’s a great idea, I have used drops but own brand you know you get ones for various ones, tired eyes, dry eyes etc.
So when would this be used, where you mentioned putting on a cotton odd and wiping over. Would this be a daily thing and when.

Yes I agree re the Oestrogen. I would like more help with this, it’s getting further with the GP I am struggling with, but will keep trying.

Do you have any menopause specialist gps or centres in your area? Ask to see someone who is the hrt expert in the practice. We have one GP that specialises in it near me who is good.

This form of blepharitis is called interior blepharitis and causes depend on your age. There is no quick answers. Cleaning is a must and best done with natural soaps etc. I use olive oil soap. Firstly, go to amazon and get Optase Cleanse and protect. Amazon is artificially intelligent and can guide you. The Cleanse and protect lasts for a week. This will reduce bacteria in the eye lid area. Then soap your hands and wash face and closed eyelids twice a day. Heat can help but is fiddly. I you have a bath then you can droop a hot face flannel over the eyes daily. Use optase wipes afterwards. Use comfort eye drops four times a day and gradually it should get better xxx

I have upper lid blepharitis and it is generally under control with cleaning twice daily using blephasol solution (I find the gels too fiddly) and a blepharitis eye foam from Boots that I use in the shower so the heat hopefully also helps the oil glands work a bit better.

I had something similar last year! Think I had developed an allergy to my best selling brand cheapie eye make up remover. I switched to Bioderma micellar water which seemed to solve the problem. But it was horrible while it lasted. I do wonder about the brands where the lid is not sealed or tamper proofed.