Sore red dry skin around eyes

[Krazykitty]

I’m 49 and peri menopausal. Recently the skin around my eyes and eye lids has become red, inflamed and sore. I’ve tried various creams and even the most gentle ones (Aveeno) make no difference and sting when applying it.

It’s only recently I realised that this was yet another symptom of menopause. Was naively thinking I had an allergic reaction to something!

Can anyone recommend any creams that have worked for them? I even tried hyaluronic acid and this made my skin even worse.

Many thanks

I had this twice. I used this cream:

www.boots.com/la-roche-posay/all-la-roche-posay-products/la-roche-posay-dermallergo-soothing-eye-cream-20ml-10302968

and this:

www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-b5-gel-pro-stitches-40ml-10301054

What I did was apply a little of each of these to the round flat end of these buds:
www.superdrug.com/Skin/Cotton-Wool/Ear-Buds/Superdrug-Paper-Cotton-Buds-X80/p/746317
and then apply gently around my eye.

That way I wasn't transferring any germs or contaminates from my fingers around my eyes.

I'd alternate between the gel and the cream so in the morning on day 1 I'd apply the cream and in the evening the gel and switch on day 2. Used it for about 1 week and there was a noticeable improvement.

I even saw a doctor and we put it down to perimenopause symptoms.

I have this right now, been putting e45 cream on but no improvement. The chemist said they couldn't give anything stronger as the skin round the eyes is so thin. I'm only bloody 40! Hadn't thought it could be a symptom of peri menopause!!

I had this once but it was due to stress - I had two children under 3 and was trying to work full time as a teacher. I dropped down two days and it disappeared. Could it be a stress thing?

Vaseline helped - it was literally the only thing gentle enough not to sting. It was awful, I hope it clears up for you soon.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I will definitely try the La Roche cream, it was one I had been reading up on.

Part of it could be down to stress and then I get stressed about the skin on my face, it’s a vicious cycle. I did use hydrocortisone cream, know I shouldn’t, it helped for a bit but knew I couldn’t use it long term, don’t want the skin to get any thinner round my eyes that’s for sure.

Possibly rosacea?

I get this on and off too - have tried every single thing under the sun. The only thing that relieves it was this from Amazon .

www.amazon.co.uk/Itch-Relief-Cream-Psoriasis-Treatment/dp/B07359Q6HX?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@ChickenStripper

I get this on and off too - have tried every single thing under the sun. The only thing that relieves it was this from Amazon .

]]

Oooh I'm glad you've popped up with this @ChickenStripper!

I bought this recently as I saw it advertised on MN somewhere and it says on the product not to be used near the eyes! Too late- I'd bought it :(

I wish I'd seen it first- wasted £15. I have eczema on my eye lids and when I tried the cream it did really sting.

@Krazykitty You can get 0.5% hydrcortisone on prescription but still need to take care it doesn't make your skin wrinkle. I find E45 is best for calming stuff down, and also an antihistamine tablet (sort for hayfever) to take away the itching.

I've started to suffer from this, mostly around my left eye and top of my lips. It's starting to get me down. I tried this eye cream www.skinshop.co.uk/hydrosil/dry-skin-eye-gel and had so so luck with it, but I will try those from boots. It seems to flair up around the 3rd week of my cycle. What us woman have to put up with.

I have this periodically because of eczema, and use hydrocortisone to get rid of it and then just keep it very moisturised. Technically you should get hydrocortisone prescribed for your face, but it’s a very mild steroid, and often is prescribed.

Bobbi brown have reformulated their extra eye cream (gits), so for moisturiser I am going to try Kiehls avocado, which is good, just not as good as BB

I had this and got a cream with steroids and antibacterial stuff in it. After a course my eyes have been fine.

From gp

I had this too although in my case it was down to my thyroid packing up rather than menopause - might be worth getting your levels checked?

Anyway, the absolute best thing I found was Cetraben cream which you get through pharmacies, usually sold for eczema but brilliant for very dry and sore skin. If it's just for your eyes, don't buy the big pump dispenser as it will last you for years.

to add - Cetraben does not contain steroids or any other "drugs" , it's a pure emollient and moisturiser so perfectly safe to use on your eyes.

I get this sometimes, eyelid wipes seem to clear it up best (can get from Amazon)

Thank you for the recommendation! Just bought the La Roche possey eye cream & it’s amazing. After suffering from red sore puffy eyes for years, the doctor prescribed anti histamines & a mild steroid cream which helped but my eyelids kept flaring up every time I put mascara or eyeshadow on. I can now tolerate make up & my skin is finally looking ok & the itching has gone.