Facial eczema

[Lougle]

DD2 (14) has eczema on her cheeks and eyelids. I would do an e-consult but our GP has closed e-consults for the moment and are only dealing with urgent health problems because most of the team are helping with the vaccinations.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips? I can take her to the pharmacy but I'm sure people here will have good ideas too.

Moo goo scalp cream. It’s incredibly gentle and can be used around the eyes. I had horrible eczema for ages on my face and it has been the only thing (apart from strong steroid cream) that has worked and keeps it away.

I've struggled for years with eczema on my eyelids and underneath my eyes. Can't even put E45 on them as they're so sore. Steroids on the face are frowned upon but an absolute no around the eyes. I was at my wits end and then someone suggested Clinique all about eyes rich. It's totally changed my life! I used to use it morning and night but only use it at bed time now. I can put it on open eczema and it doesn't hurt.

Dermatologist told me to keep eyelids moisturised all the time.

You'll find you can start to cut down after a while.

Could it be a make up or skin care allergy? I got terrible eczema on my eye lids at that age and that’s what it was (thanks Body Shop!)

Another possibility is aural/oral dermatitis (which GPS often misdiagnose as eczema, which is unfortunate as steroids make it worse.)

I’d start by taking all the products away. Get some gentle eczema friendly cleansing and moisturising stuff from the pharmacist. Use it 2 or 3 times a day without fail. See where you get to.

If that doesn’t work, and you can afford it, I’d do a private online dermatology consultancy - it takes ages to get an NHS referral, and GPS are very untrained in this area.

… As PP says.. Clinique is good, but pharmacy should have cheaper options.

It’s not true steroids are a total no no around the eyes. A short burst is OK, but it needs to be under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Thank you for great suggestions. DD2 doesn't use anything on her face apart from water because everything makes it flare. She doesn't wear makeup.

I had some great advice from a pharmacist a while ago. I do the following:
Moisturise before a shower to keep water away from the eyelids (water can dry the skin) then wash eyelids with baby shampoo just before getting out of the shower. Eyelid hygiene is really important.
After a shower apply vaseline that has been warmed in my hands so that it isn't too hard to spread.
Apply vaseline twice a day. I dab it off with a tissue to avoid looking shiny!
Wash with baby shampoo after exercise to remove sweat, which makes me very itchy, and apply vaseline.
Every two or three weeks rub very gently with a soft flannel to remove any dry skin that has built up.
Occasionally use hydrocortisone cream for five days, with the doctor's blessing. (I would definitely speak to a doctor before doing this, as your daughter is so young)
I have sometimes needed antibiotics if my eczema gets infected, and I find it very hard to tell if I have an infection. For me my skin just gets slightly redder, and it's pretty red anyway. The antibiotics work wonders when needed.
Good luck to your daughter, eczema is awful, especially for a teenager.

Just another couple of thoughts, I have to avoid touching my face if I have used hand sanitiser as it really irritates, and I also avoid tomatoes as I realised they cause my eczema to flare up.

You could consider an anti-allergen pillowcase - they’re fairly cheap and easy to try, and work really well for my daughter’s facial eczema.

I also wondered about trying a silk pillowcase for added gentleness!

Wow, great ideas, thanks. I'll start looking at this with DD2 tomorrow to see what she would like to try.

I bought this (hopefully the link works)

Dr.Konopka's Regenerating Eye Cream, 20 ml www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0793FCZFJ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_8PTTAV94731TV2CHD4BW?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

It has done wonders for my eye lids and I have extremely dry, sore skin on my eyes to the point I have also been prescribed a hydrocortisone cream for my eyes and face too.

Hope you find something that works

Something else (sorry, I keep thinking of things!) I take an antihistamine every day, sometimes two. All antihistamines are not equal, some are better for skin conditions. I suggest speaking to a pharmacist to find a good one. I prefer piriton, but I am lucky that they don't make me sleepy.

Moogoo eczema cream worked wonders on dds hands

I suffer from eczema on my eyes & found reducing/ eliminating dairy from my diet really made a difference. There's a lot of research on gut health being linked to skin problems.
I also use Kiehls avocado eye cream every day to help keep skin moisturised. So many products irritated me further, it's trial & error 😢

Forgot to say, dermatologist advised me to use La Roche Posay products. I use the cleanser and it's really good. Doesn't sting at all.

I was also categorically told never to use Vaseline as it acts like a barrier cream, not a moisturiser which can make your skin around your eyes puff up.

That's interesting @WhatIsThisPlease. My doctor did suggest to me years ago that vaseline wasn't great, although he didn't give a particular reason, just said it was a bit too thick. Maybe the fact that I apply it and then dab it off helps? For me it's the only thing that doesn't sting. Perhaps be cautious with vaseline then OP.

@Notnowthankyou

It's odd isn't it? I suppose we can only use what works best for us. He told me that Vaseline prevents the skin from breathing as it forms a sort of waterproof seal over it.

Most important thing that I was told by the dermatologist and the GP was to keep skin moisturised.

Well I bought some MooGoo as recommended - was made suspicious the big display of it in our tiny rural chemist but paid £££ for it optimistically - and now my skin is burning and itchy after applying it 😥. I think I've fallen for vital marketing, so beware folks.

I get eczema on my eyelids and eye socket ridge. I started using Epaderm cream. Just needs a little swipe before bed and it works a treat. It's about £3 in Boots.