adult-onset eczema

[EmmaBemma]

hello! I never had any eczema as a child but since becoming pregnant with my younger daughter, now 18 months, I've had chronic eczema on my hands, which I put steroid cream on and moisturise. It went away for a couple of months but is now back, and the patches are growing.

This is annoying but not overly worrying, however for the last couple of weeks I've noticed spreading patches on the creases of my eyelids. What do you do with eyelid eczema - has anyone got any experience of this? I've had a read online but there's the usual baffling array of conflicting information. I don't think you're supposed to put steroid cream on; the stuff I've got for my hands is quite high potency so I know that wouldn't be right anyway.

I don't think it'll be a contact allergy. I did think it could be my washing powder, from having my face on the pillow, but surely I'd have eczema where my clothes touch me too. At the moment I'm putting on vaseline, on the basis that it's a barrier against irritants, but I don't know how sensible that is either.

Has anyone got any experience of this?

Lots of experience- sadly. had this for years and so does my son.

You can use very weak 0.5% hydrocortisone which you have to get on prescription. even so, it can make your eyelids a bit wrinkly- mine are!

I think Vaseline is more likely to irritate TBH. I'd try toe weak steroids first but if it gets worse ask to see a dermo as there are other creams that are not steroids- they are immunosupressants which work on skin level- but only a consultant can prescribe.

Hi amelia - thanks for replying. Sorry to hear you've had it for years. Can I ask a couple of questions - are there times when you get flare-ups and then times when it isn't as bad? Does it seemed to be linked to anything in your diet or surroundings?

Thanks for the advice about the dermatologist. it seems quite mild at the moment, at least the patches on my eyes are - but what worries me is if it gets worse.

Mine is deffo linked to stress, lack of sleep and worry!

I did go through a phase many years back now of having very bad eczema all over my face- and i took Chinese herbs which cleared it. Long story but you cna PM me i f you want. They don't work for everyone but I was lucky.
Not to be taken for mild eczema but I'd had it for 10 years.

I don't eat wheat or dairy as both seem to aggravate my skin.

thanks amelia - I might well pm you if it gets worse, I'll see how I go with a mild steroid first.

I was afraid you'd say that about wheat and dairy - they are the cornerstones of my diet! I suppose a trial of abstinence wouldn't hurt, though I dunno how long I'd have to give it to see if that's made a difference.

Mine flares up at times of stress etc. I haven't noticed a connection with diet.

Hi Emma, I first had eczema on my eyelids about 6 months ago I'm not sure what triggered it, I used zinc and castor oil cream (from the baby section in boots)
It was instantly soothing and the eczema cleared up a few days after I started using it.

The eczema came back a few weeks ago, I'm using zinc and castor oil cream again which is helping.
I just smear it on quite thickly whenever possible and try not to scratch it.

I've also found Pure Potions Skin Salvation Eczema Treatment Cream helpful, but the zinc and castor oil cream seemed to be more effective for me.

Hope that helps:)

mine flares up with stress and when I eat too many citrus fruit.
you need to find a moisturiser that suits you.
for me that is weleda skin food plus hc 45 when it is so itchy I can't keep my hands off.
touch wood havn't needed it for a while now.

I have it in my hands too, it used to be a lot worse (cracked and bleeding) when I worked in an office so I put it down to cleaners etc on desk, I had allergy tests and none came up, the only thing that works for me is Aveeno as it cools and doesn't feel greasy and soaks in quick.i can't use steroid creams as they just burn. I get Aveeno on prescription and also a bath oil.