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Original poster

Suddenly developed eczema on my eyelids

24 replies

ihatethecold · 14/07/2020 07:34

I’ve been away last week staying in a holiday let down south. Eyes were fine. This weekend I got eczema on my eyelids. It looks horrid and I’m really trying to not touch it.
I want to get some cream for it but I don’t know what to try that’s safe for my eyelids.

I’ve read online (nhs website and eczema website) but I still don’t know what to do.

I can’t think what’s caused it.

OP posts:
missmouse101 · 14/07/2020 07:41

I get this as a first sign of hayfever. I used to think I'd become allergic to my eye makeup remover but it's hayfever, no question for me. Loratidine antihistamine tablets, one a day helps greatly and I just use vaseline intensive care cream thinly, to moisturise.

missbunnyrabbit · 14/07/2020 07:49

I randomly got eczema on my eyelids earlier this year. Ive always had eczema but not on my face. It lasted ages until I put vaseline on it at night and it cleared up.
I don't have any allergies.

thedevilinablackdress · 14/07/2020 07:50

Speak to a pharmacist for advice.

Original poster
ihatethecold · 14/07/2020 07:58

thanks, I was wondering if I needed to get a low dose hydrocortisone cream or just try with an emollient type cream.

I have seen Cerave in Boots, has anyone tried that?

OP posts:
dun1urkin · 14/07/2020 08:12

I developed eczema on my eyelids and on my eye bags after a period of extreme stress, and since then it’s come back during stressful times even if the stress is not so bad. This was as an adult having never had eczema as a child (or hay fever or asthma)

Saw a pharmacist and bought some cream, which helped a bit but didn’t do the trick. Was taking antihistamine every day to try and manage the itching.

I went to see a nurse at the GP in the end, it took me weeks to go and I wish I’d’ve gone sooner. I was prescribed some cream that cleared it up in days. I can’t describe the relief!!

Also (sadly for me) very rarely wear any eye makeup any more, as it does make a flare up worse. (I miss eye makeup, I did enjoy a bright eye colour!!!)

Go to the Drs. I can’t tell you how much I wish I went sooner than I did.

Lurchermom · 14/07/2020 08:16

Cetraben is my life saver - you can buy it in the supermarket or pharmacy. I used to have diprobase but that's heavier and a bit oilier. I look like a guppy fish when I don't use it as the skin around my eyes gets so itchy and tight and swollen. It really really helps after a few applications.

minniemoll · 14/07/2020 08:18

I get this, my GP recommended 1% hydrocortisone cream but the pharmacist refused to sell it to me when I said it was for my eyelids! I did some research and decided to buy some elsewhere and use it very sparingly, and it does clear it up. I use Oilatum the rest of the time which doesn't aggravate it.

refriedbeanstalk · 14/07/2020 08:22

My trigger is the pill if that rings any bells for you. No eye make up here either Sad get some hydrocortisone on it.

Destroyedpeople · 14/07/2020 08:23

It could be an allergic reaction to the waste of the demodex mites that live in your eyelash follicles. Same as 'rosacea'.
I often people about this but they usually ignore it as the truth is so gross.
At night they crawl out and creep over your face, shit ting.

Gwynfluff · 14/07/2020 08:27

If it’s Blephartis , washing your eyes each night with baby shampoo will help.

If it’s higher up your eyelids, when I got eczema round my eyes, I realised it was my shampoo (after chucking makeup and replacing my mascara) - did you take anything with you when you went away or wear a sunscreen?

Original poster
ihatethecold · 14/07/2020 08:58

I am on HRT but i've been taking the same medication for 20 months so thats not the cause. It's only on one eyelid which I think is strange.

I used to have eczema as a teen on my legs but thats long gone. Not stressed so I cant blame that either.

weirdly though, I did have an awful migraine at the beginning of last week following a particularly hideous period.

I will get some hydrocortisone today and maybe some Lipikar from le Roche-Posey as a moisturiser.

OP posts:
Original poster
ihatethecold · 14/07/2020 08:59

I didn't use suncream last week. I was in Cornwall so it wasn't that hot. The water was unbelievably soft compared to home though.

OP posts:
flashbac · 14/07/2020 09:05

Did you use a different soap or facewash?
I got this after using some homemade soap. Switched to sensitive soap and been fine since.

mrslol · 14/07/2020 09:07

Ok this is a weird one but I thought I had eczema on my eyelids but it was actually contact dermatitis from my eyelash curlers! It was the nickel in them.

BrandNewShinyThings · 14/07/2020 09:07

My DS was prescribed diprobase for his eczema around his eyes, you can buy it over the counter, its an emollient

BrandNewShinyThings · 14/07/2020 09:08

Sorry posted too soon. Be very careful using steroid creams around the eyes, even a mild one should only be used for a few days. Try the emollient route first.

AudacityOfHope · 14/07/2020 09:14

Don't put hydrocortisone on your eyelids.

Steroids thin the skin which is obviously bad where your skin is so thin.

I've had this on and off for years and eventually had to be prescribed something called Protopic cream by my consultant. It's not a steroid so doesn't have the same dangers.

I sympathise, I found it so very painful. Go to your GP!

Spam88 · 14/07/2020 09:17

I'd try moisturising before trying a steroid cream (a steroid cream should only be used on your face if advised by a dr). Probably best to see what cream/emollient a pharmacist recommends with it being so close your eye.

EmmaJR1 · 14/07/2020 14:00

I get this with my hay fever. I use the original cold cream from Nivea (in the blue tub) it's the only thing that helps without aggravating the rest of my face! I swear by it nightly.

Also a good high factor face sun cream every day.

Original poster
ihatethecold · 14/07/2020 15:35

We have some nivea in a blue little pot.
I’ve been to boots and got some creams.
I’ll see how it goes. I’m hoping it disappears as quick as it arrived.

If not my best mate is a GP who specialises in dermatology. I just don’t want to ask her unless I have to. Not that she minds.

OP posts:
AudacityOfHope · 14/07/2020 15:52

The only cream that didn't irritate my eyelids was this one: m.feelunique.com/p/Papaya-Gold-PAWPAW-25g

Beware: most moisturisers made it WAY worse to apply very little at the beginning to see how it feels.

Rodders92 · 14/07/2020 21:54

I get eczema in the creases of my eyelids when stressed it has been fairly constant over the last couple of months ,the Cerave moisturiser Infind very good, most other emollients make it worse

jalopy · 14/07/2020 21:59

If it's only on one eyelid, could it possibly be shingles,? Get professional advice anyway.

Lucy8901 · 15/07/2020 20:19

I had this I do have excema /dermatitis in other places to but I suddenly developed it on my eyelids and around my eyes it was really sore.

I went to the doctors and they told me to use the emollients I usually use for my other excema on my eyelids.. it’s really greasy and thick and I couldn’t use it during the day but I used it at night and it soon cleared up. I use hydromol ointment but it does also come in a cream

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