Bloody eczema!

[Coldcoffeekindamorning]

Not really AIBU but I've had mild eczema since early 20s (now late 30s), literally not had any bother with it for the past 10 years (avoiding wearing jewellery and products that agrivate it).

A couple of weeks ago it's flared up but this time on my eyelids where I have never had it. I went to the chemist and they gave me some hydrocortisone cream. I've used it very sparingly as I've read so many stories of steroids being bad for your skin and especially with it being round my eyes. It's just getting worse. I know I should probably go to the GP but it's so hard to get an appointment and I don't want to have to use more steroids. I feel so stressed about it. I usually wear a bit of eye makeup, not loads but it makes me feel much better about myself and now I feel awful with my puffy red eyes. It's also beginning to get sore.

Can someone tell me if there is something else I can do before last resort of going to the GP?

Ive had this. It was from my ear, side of face and then on eye lids. I was only using one cream all over my face morning and night. I asked chat gpt to help and im now using roc retinol eye cream, then a droplet application of loreal collagen, then face cream. I thought to myself the other day its disappeared

I hope your skin improves soon OP - eczema is a miserable condition. People often don't understand how much it impacts your life (sleep, pain, mental health, etc.) unless they suffer from it as well.
I have chronic eczema and have done all my life - to the extent I have been hospitalised, so i understand how you feel.
Call your GP - eczema needs to be nipped in the bud, and they may recommend a range of creams (e.g. emollient, soap substitutes, zinc based creams, and potentially a mild steriod).

That being said, I don't like how steroids are demonised. They are sometimes a necessary tool, and have provided me with a lot of relief over the years, and have also ensured I have avoided further hospitalisation. Like all medications, there are side effects to them and should be used appropriately in line with health care professionals advice.

Some of my relatives have this. They use zinc cream or ointment and try keeping the skin moist, not using soap, not being in the sun - would wearing sunglasses help give you some protection?

What you eat may also come into it. Lecithin has been said to help provide a layer of protection under the skin - it's a type of fat that you get in some foods, e.g. sunflower seeds. Supposed to be 'good' fat. I think you can buy it as granules in health food shops. Another thing I've heard said but don't know what to make of it, is to avoid eating apples because of something to do with the pectin. Drinking water is supposed to be helpful. Try increasing that if you are not usually much of a water drinker. Perhaps regular small amounts rather than going to extreme consumption.

Buy a pot of Balmond’s Skin Saviour Balm (and if funds permit, other items by the brand such as moisturising lotion and mild cleanser.)
But the balm alone will work the miracle just the same. Inexpensive, all plant extracts, miraculously healing and nourishing.

It really should be on the NHS, because sticking with all pure botanical potions is the way to vanquish eczema and dermatitis, not the revolving door approach doctors and derms have, of pharmaceutical creams which soothe but do not prevent recurrence.
Eczema doesn't need to be ‘managed’, because it really can be eliminated.

OP I would try the milder suggestions from PP first but if you have no luck you need PROTOPIC ointment.

You will need this from the GP, and they might not even really know about it so you'll need to be firm that that is what you want. When I went they tried to give me steroids again I said no this is what I want and when they tried to fob me off I asked what the difference was/why I couldn't have it he had to search on his little computer. I think it's pretty new and not front of mind for lots of GPs. Eventually agreed because I'd tried everything else.

Just insist you do not want to put steroids on your face long term.

It's strong stuff and the first few days is pretty uncomfortable to use (causes a burning/itching sensation until you get used to it) but has changed my life. My face got to the point where it was like crepe paper, red, flaky, itchy, so so sore. Couldn't wear make up at all.

After a week of use it went back to normal completely. Then I used a teeny tiny amount on weekends as a prophylactic and now I don't need it at all except in the case of a rare flair up. Might start weekend use again this winter to keep at bay.

Hope this gives you some hope OP, eczema is shit I've had it my whole life!

i feel your pain sounds nadty on the eyelids i thankfully grew out of it but still remember on cold mornings with deep cuts on finger joints and the back of my knees i used zinc based ointments and took homepathic tablets and ate alot of omega 3 best of luck

We’ve used CeraVe cream (big round pot) with success on DD2s eczema. Might be worth a go and would be gentle on your skin.

GP is not a last resort, you are allowed to go!

I'm on biological injections and am eczema free. (Dermatology etc)

Are you certain it's not a fungal infection? I'd try to see a dermatologist.

I second the above PP - Protopic ointment

i have had eczema since I was little, now 50
Steroid cream works on my hands and body when I need it (but I now have awful thin skin on my hands as a result)

on my face it gives me peri oral dermatitis which takes months of Lymecycline AB’s to shift (I have accidentally touched my face with steroid cream recently)

managed a referral to an NHS dermatologist way back in 2019 and he prescribed tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment - it’s the only thing that works on my facial eczema

does have a side effect of making your skin feel a bit warm (but it just the feeling)

I dropped dairy and it really improved and also stress has a massive effect

the sun also helps but make sure you have non bio detergent I would also use Vaseline a lot

Also be aware it can get infected so it’s very worth while to see your gp

My hands are so wrinkly from all the years of steroid use since a baby! I'm only 34 and my daughter's nursery friend told me my hands were just like her Grannies 😂

Glad protopic also worked for you too - miracle stuff

Check your shampoo and face wash for sodium laureth sulphate and fragrance. I get massive eyelid eczema flares from it. I can only use faith in nature fragrance free shampoo