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Menopause

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Original poster

Awful perimenopause eczema

35 replies

LucilleBoil177 · 03/04/2023 21:56

I don't know if anyone can help with this, I'm at my wit's end. I have been suffering with awful eczema around my eyes and mouth and in between my fingers for about a year now. Burning, itching, red, swollen, almost feels like a sort of anaphylactic shock, puffy, tingling. Skin splitting. You get the idea. I've been to the doctors countless times, all they have done is give me hydrocortisone and say it's one of those things. I've been referred to a private skin specialist who did patch tests which came back negative - once again said it's one of those things. I am 45 and am sure given that I am peri menopausal that this must be linked, that this must be the result of a lack of something in my body, rather than it reacting to an outside allergen (I have ruled everything out). I did my own research and thought maybe it was a drop in oestrogen levels, because I have read the skin thins and can cause skin problems. So, after trying HRT, and upping it to two pumps a day, it miraculously cleared up, my skin was back to normal. I could've cried I was so relieved. But after three weeks, it's started coming back. Now I look like a racoon again with the inflamed eczema around my eyes. I am at my wit's end again, I don't know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this? My docs just say it's not a symptom. But it must be! Sorry for long post

OP posts:

GracePooleslaugh · 03/04/2023 22:00

There are some women I believe who develop an allergy to progesterone in perimenopause/menopause. Have you tried taking a daily antihistamine? Does it flare up at a particular point in your cycle?

I'm having similar issues.

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 03/04/2023 22:12

Sorry to hear that. It did start flaring when I started a batch of progesterone, but it wasn't the first time I'd taken it. But that's worth considering. I hate this, it has knocked my confidence so much, and the burning itch drives you mad

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 03/04/2023 22:17

I tested allergic to MI. Ended up on methotrexate.

GracePooleslaugh · 03/04/2023 22:18

Yes, it's really horrible. I've had it really bad on my face, mostly my chin. It flares up really badly then calms down and is OK ish for a week or two then it all starts again.

People really notice too which is crap.

As my granny would say "there's no good age to be a woman"

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/04/2023 22:21

You aren't allergic to something the first time you take it so it could well be an allergy as pp suggested.

I definitely had a drop in oestrogen menopausal it by skin but doesn't sound as bad as yours as mine just cleared up with copious amounts of CeraVe cream which was miraculous.

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 04/04/2023 07:52

Thanks everyone for your replies

OP posts:

Moredarkchocolateplease · 04/04/2023 08:31

I get excema on my eyelids, around my mouth, on my forehead plus all the other usual suspects like hands and thighs.

I've had it since I was very little. I am now 45 and the facial stuff has got worse in the last few years. I am also on HRT but I had the excema before this.

I just whack on a bit of hydrocortisone, GP told me not to get the hydrocortisone in my eye.

The bit around my mouth usually goes with fucidin and hydrocortisone mixed as it generally gets cracked and yellow which means bacterial infection.

I had a lot of success taking an antihistamine morning and night last year, so fexofenadine in the morning then I alternated cetirizine and loratadine at night. This kept my face looking better and I didn't get as much allergic excema. Consultant dermatologist recommended this.

I also NEVER put suncream around my mouth. It doesn't matter which type. They all make my mouth crack and react. So the area from nose to chin is suncream free. I don't use anything with vaseline type oily stuff in either. If I must use a lip balm it has to be the medicated blistex.

Excema doesn't ever go, it just adapts. So. As a child it cracked in my elbows and fingers, now as an adult I have a permanently itchy back of the hand and spots on my forehead that itch. Oh and one summer of delightful red raw excema on my breasts! That was fun!

The hydrocortisone keeps it at bay as long as I can remember to put some on.

Hope this helps!

sorrynotathome · 04/04/2023 08:34

I would avoid the temptation to link everything that you experience over the next 10 years to the menopause.

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 04/04/2023 11:18

Thank you, sorry to hear about your suffering! Unfortunately hydrocortisone and fucidin h don't do anything for me at all. It's maddening. Good tip with the antihistamine twice a day though, I'll look into that, one a day doesn't touch it

OP posts:

Moredarkchocolateplease · 04/04/2023 13:20

Have you tried a stronger cream for your face?

Also I can't use ointment it makes it much worse. I can't even think of ointment I can't stand the texture!

I use cerave moisturiser which doesn't aggravate it too.

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 04/04/2023 14:10

The only thing I can use which doesn't inflame it (but doesn't cure it) is cetreban. It's so thick I'm pretty sick of it to be honest!

OP posts:

JinglingSpringbells · 04/04/2023 14:39

@LucilleBoil177 If your dr can refer you to a dermo (or you may have to do this yourself privately as the NHS waiting list is long), they can prescribe a cream that is not a steroid and won't thin your skin.

These creams came out around 15 years and are immunosupressants that work topically. One is called tacrolimus ( brand name is Protopic.)

I am not 100% up to speed on this but I know that before, only consultants could prescribe it, and for severe eczema. However, it's safe for use on the face with sunblock when it's sunny.

Brief summary here

[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacrolimus

Tacrolimus - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacrolimus

JinglingSpringbells · 04/04/2023 14:41

I've been referred to a private skin specialist who did patch tests which came back negative - once again said it's one of those things.

I missed this!

I don't understand why they didn't suggest Tacrolimus. (One of my extended family has used it for years as they have severe eczema.)

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 04/04/2023 16:27

Sorry, I missed bits out as I felt my message was a bit long...yes I was referred to a dermatologist and they gave me protopic (I think?) Ointment cream stuff, which didn't help. This is partly why they just ended up saying it's just one of those things, I think

OP posts:

JoanOgden · 04/04/2023 16:35

Marking place as I am also 45 and have a nasty outbreak of eczema for the first time - mostly on my limbs and neck. It's very itchy and looks awful, so you have all my sympathy.

lorisparkle · 04/04/2023 16:54

My eczema also really flared up when I was 48. The GP recommended beconase hay fever relief nasal spray, 2 weeks of daily hydrocortisone on my face and 2 weeks of daily eumovate on my body. It did seem much better so I am giving my skin a break then will do the 2 weeks again. She gave me tacrolimus to use when I stopped the hydrocortisone but it felt as though I had terrible sun burn so I stopped.

She also started me on HRT

JinglingSpringbells · 05/04/2023 09:56

LucilleBoil177 · 04/04/2023 16:27

Yes, it was Protopic I was mentioning.
It's a shame it hasn't worked as it usually does wonders.
Did you persevere with it for a few weeks?

What are you using on your skin now to cleanse it? Presumably you've ditched anything perfumed. The Eucerin range (Boots etc) is good for skin problems.

Is there any link with your diet? have you tried excluding dairy and wheat for a few weeks?

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 06/04/2023 19:01

Sorry, another symptom I guess is brain fog and I completely forgot about this thread 🤭
The only thing I can use is cetreban, it's the only thing which doesn't make it flare (doesn't get rid of it, but doesn't make it worse).
I can't remember to be honest re the protopic, I think I gave it a good go, but found it so painful and made my eyes water constantly. This is all so rubbish isn't it

OP posts:

JinglingSpringbells · 06/04/2023 19:22

LucilleBoil177 · 06/04/2023 19:01

I do know that it says Protopic can be irritating to start with (says on the leaflet.)

The person I know who has used it for around 15 years says it is a life saver- literally. They have eczema from head to toe, without it, and it was the only thing that worked.

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 06/04/2023 19:29

Thanks for that, maybe I should give it another go

OP posts:

Whaeanui · 06/04/2023 20:42

Sorry haven’t read all comments but I get this. Pawpaw ointment helps me and their mango hand cream... eat well too. Lots of greens help clear it up.

Pearl97 · 06/04/2023 20:47

have you heard of steroid withdrawal or protopic withdrawal?

Original poster

LucilleBoil177 · 07/04/2023 09:28

I have heard of steroid withdrawal but not protopic withdrawal, I don't use either though so I don't think this would be a concern. I'll certainly do more research into protopic if I decide to give it another go. I can't help thinking this is a problem within me and it feels hormonal, so until that's a bit more sorted it won't go away or be alleviated

OP posts:

Namechange600 · 07/04/2023 09:31

I had similar eczema around the eyes and was a dairy allergy in my case - had to cut out all milk cheese etc and it went

AlphaAlpha · 07/04/2023 10:03

I'm suffering terribly at the moment too.
What started out as a 'monthly' rash is now constant red, sore patches around my eyes, eyelids, face and neck.
I'm halfway through a months course of ABx, plus antibiotic gel applied topically. It was helping, but today my face feels like it's burning.
GP has said its perioral dermatitis and topical steroids are the worst thing to use.
I have also just started HRT.
Im also having a flare on my hands which I have suffered with previously but they've been pretty good for the last year or so.
Im so done with it all. It's really knocking my confidence.

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