Eczema around the eyes

[AnythingPecan]

Hi,

Recently, DD (aged 9) has developed eczema around her eyes. She's prone to eczema but recently has had quite a horrible flare up. Was treating with hydrocortisone 0.5% for about 4 days and it was clearing but then she developed a horrible cold and wham! Back to full blown puffy itchy and dry eyes.

Has anyone else had kids go through this? Going to book an appt to see a dermatologist as I'm concerned that the 0.5% hydrocortisone around the eyes is quite strong to reduce flare ups and was hoping for something non-steroidal but something that is a longer term cream I could use?

Plz no scary posts as I suffer from anxiety! Thanks

I had this as an adult, though I've had eczema since childhood.

The last time it flared up my eyes were so sore.

I eventually saw a locum doc who said it was better to use a high strength steroid cream for just a few days, rather than low strength for weeks on end. (Though this may be because it's eyes).

So she prescribed me a gigantic tube of Betnovate. It's like magic. Literally two days of use and my skin is back to normal.

I must've used about 5ml of it in the last 5 years. That tube is a lifetime supply!

However, not all docs think the same way. I swear this locum was the only useful doc in 40 years of eczema.

Do be persistent. A lifetime of poorly treated eye eczema has left my eyes looking prematurely old (though I'm catching up with them now). It's also much more painful than other areas, and impossible to hide, so not great for the self esteem/confidence.

Have you tried aveeno? It got rid of my DS's eczema. I was also recently told about an eczema treatment developed by Liz Earle. It's a drink not a topical treatment, not sure if it can be used by children but may be worth a Google x

@Exhaustotron thank you so much. Reading your post has really reassured me. I suppose it does make sense that a short burst of high potency steroid cream prescribed by a doctor would be less damaging than one you would have to use longer term.

@Velmasglasses thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately Aveeno or anything with perfume in it makes her skin worse. She's super sensitive.
I'll look into the Liz Earle treatment. Sounds interesting.

My dd is suffering a big flare up at the moment especially around her eyes. Betnovatd helped a bit, strong antihistamine tablets stopped the itching for a while, approderm cream has been most helpful but its maintaining the eczema rather than clearing it. She washes with oaty water which helps too. She's currently in the middle of a course of antibiotics as some patches are infected.
Anxiety is a major trigger for my dd so we're working hard to encourage her to be calmer- not easy with a 13yo.

I bet it as an adult around my eyes when I’m stressed. I second zapping it with Betnovate.

I had this. It's horrid. It took a few tears to find out what cause the eye area to get so sore. Mine was liquid hand soap. I protected my eye area with La Roche Posay eye cream (the face and eye is also fine). Then avoided all soap on my hands except Original Source shower gel, coconut. This sorted it. Never had it back. I also avoided nail polish. But I'm pretty sure liquid soap was the main culprit. The sort in public toilets is the worst. Good luck.

I had this when I was wee, and I still can get terrible flare ups. I’ve had some luck lately with using Bepathen nappy cream as a barrier ointment when it gets really sore. The optician recommended it to me. It seems to take the redness & swelling down although not sure why. Might help to put it on after the steroid cream has absorbed and see if it makes a difference? Hope you get it sorted, it’s no fun.

@Tidypidy isn't it odd that it's both happening around now? Do you think it could be the weather going from a warm house to the cold outdoors?

@Temporarything thanks will see if the dermatologist will prescribe it. Seems quite a miraculous potion!

@Mapless I've heard some great things about LaRoche Posay's eye cream. Is it scented? If it is it probably won't suit her.
Thanks

@EthelBeavers that's a really good suggestion. I've spent a fortune on all sorts of creams but willing to spend a few more quid on this as a nappy cream should be sensitive enough to use under the eye too. Will try it out. Thank you!

Bet I ate us a really strong steroid though. You’re not really supposed to use it around eyes but it’s the only thing that works and I use it only occasionally.

Betnovate

@Temporarything yes. I reckon if I went to a dermatologist they wouldn't hesitate to prescribe it but because GPs are reluctant due to pharmaceutical licensing etc they don't usually do so.

No worries, I tend to have really bad reactions to perfumed things too so hopefully it’ll suit her and soothe them a bit. Off to google this Liz Earle thing now, am intrigued!

@EthelBeavers did you use the Bepanthen Nappy Cream or ointment? Just so I grab the correct one!

@Temporarything

Bet I ate us a really strong steroid though. You’re not really supposed to use it around eyes but it’s the only thing that works and I use it only occasionally.

Same here. In fact, I think I've only used it twice in the last 6 years, for 3 days or less.

The doc was very clear that I HAD to stop and come back if it didn't work almost immediately. Fortunately it was the magic bullet I'd been waiting for.

She also recommended Aveeno cream (not lotion), which I've used ever since.

Good luck

I also use betnovate when I have any flare ups. I've found my flare ups are something to do with the type of water I use. I've added a water filter onto my shower head and got a brita filter for drinking water and the only time I have any problems now is when I'm staying away from home.

@Exhaustotron thanks for this. Really amazed to hear all the reviews about this medicine. Will see what the dermatologist prescribes. I don't want to be experimenting at this stage so if there's something that works and is safe then it sounds like it's sensible to go with a higher potency to clear it up and do away with it for as long as possible.

@dottyrobin did you have a test that diagnosed the cause of the irritation or was it you ruling things out? I'm no closer to any conclusion. Finding it so hard to narrow down what could be causing it.

I’ve had good results with betnovate too on my face - prescribed by a dr who was really good with my eczema. I think it only took a couple of applications very thinly spread. Eumovate ointment also works, I think it’s one step down from betnovate so might be worth a try first, the ointment is better than the cream. I also recommend Vaseline once it’s cleared up - it works as a barrier from the cold air and seems to keep it moisturised. That isn’t a dr recommendation though just something that works for me! Lifelong eczema sufferer here, I really hope it clears up for your daughter soon

@AnythingPecan I didn't have any tests, I only managed to narrow it down when I was travelling to and from university a lot. The only thing changing was the environment and not food or the shampoo / washing powder etc.

It’s Bepanthen ointment, they do a wee tube and a bigger one I think. Good luck with the dermatologist.

My dd has been self isolating for last two weeks and the eczema initially improved but has since plateaued. Could well be cold to hot to cold again.

No scent in La Roche Posay.

I've never had any proper tests. I have a recollection of seeing some kind of alternative person as a child (my parents must've been desperate!) who suggested an allergy to tomatoes, milk, eggs and orange juice.

A childhood on soya milk didn't make any difference and I mainly grew out of it. (Just inner elbows at least once a year and the last time my eyes flared up was years ago).

The only thing that does seem to be causal is the heat in the summer which makes my inner elbows flare up.