Bumpy, itchy rash around eyes when outdoors - Allergy?

[stickygotstuck]

For 2 or 3 of winters now, whenever I go out for a walk, I come back with a very itchy rash around the eyes.

• I say a rash, but it looks more like bites in the sense that they are slightly raised. They make my eyes look swollen but it's cleary just on those spots
• They are always on or around the eyelids
• They appear half an hour or so into the walk and they are very itchy
• The itch is only slightly alleviated by washing my face with cold water as soon as I get back in the house
• The swelling and itching go down gradually over an hour or two
• They appear when outdoors in winter (or in cold weather in any case)

I don't suffer from asthma or hay fever or any other allergies that I know of. I do have eczema (long standing but mostly under control).

This is the second or third winter this happens, and walks are not as pleasant as they should be because of this!

Anybody has had similar?

Does it only happen when outside?

Sounds like hives. Cold urticaria. Try an antihistamine before going out?

Thank you both.

myothercarisaskoda, (great name!) - yes, only when outside.

RebornRebound - An oral antihistamine? I've never taken them and I like to avoid most medication (within reason!) and taking a pill every time I step outside seems a bit excessive, but I guess it's a possibility. Is there such a thing as a cream antihistamine, I wonder? Off to Google!

Just googled cold urticaria. Could be but doubtfull as washing with very cold water makes it better. Plus it doesn't have to be very cold for it to happen, it just doesn't happen in Summer or Spring. Hives could be it but it's not really red, more like swelling.

I was thinking it could either be light or cold sensitivity (I have an intolerance to light and sun), but since you saying that it doesn't happen in Spring or Summer, it sounds like cold sensitivity.

What puts you have trying a tablet every day? Also, there must be a cream that you can use!

*what puts you off trying a tablet every day

I'm just generally anti excessive medication if I can help it. For instance, if I have a moderate headache and it's near bedtime, I'd rather have some water and go to bed, see if it's gone in the morning. If not, then I'll have a paracetamol in the morning. If it's a throbbing headache, I'll take two there and then! So not unreasonable .

I have seen there are creams. I may have a go, but I'll have everything crossed that it doesn't make my eyes react. They are extremely sensitve, I've only ever found two moisturisers that don't make them water or itch...

Maybe a chat with the pharmacist may be a good idea.

Does it happen no matter where you walk, eg a walk in a city centre as well as countryside?

It's not because you put mascara on when you go out or something like that?

Take 1 antihistime a day for a week and you can see if it makes a difference

I see what you mean re taking the medication by the way, but taking a daily antihistimine due to the way you've described how your eyes get wouldn't be excessive to me, it would just feel necessary. Depends how much it bothers you I suppose. You could also try eye drops.

Thanks SouthOfFrance

Yes, I'd say it's the same wherever I walk. I haven't had a lot of city walks lately with covid and I live semi-rurally in a small town (since long before the onset of this). But it is the same whether I go down a tree-lined, muddy lane or around town with a friend for coffee.

No, it's not mascara - I almost never wear makeup, it makes my skin/eyes react. Eyes would water and itch.

Yes, I think I'll have to try the antihistamines. No idea how you take them, maybe I can I take one just on the day I am planning to be out for quite a while. I WFH so I normally have advance warning.

Do you use creams or make up with SPF ? I find that when I do and I go outside my eyes water and they go red if I've used them near my eyes. Weirdly its worse in winter.

Thanks Adatwistscientist

I do, but I am extermely careful chosing them as, again, there's only one or two that don't make my eyes go exactly as you say. Any cream seems to be 'absorbed' by my eyeballs. It's just weird!

I doubt that's it because I wear the same cream whether I'm at home or going out. And it doesn't happen at home.

I seem to be getting hay fever a bit now. Tree pollen. I never used to get it at all. Seems early tho.

Always itchy eyes

Thanks Nitgel.

Tree pollen has been suggested to me before, and the fact that late-onset allergies are apparently a thing! I also thought it was a bit early for pollen though. But maybe?