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Original poster

Help ..... during surgery they taped my eyes closed - I had serious reaction ...help

28 replies

Joywillcome · 20/01/2015 11:02

Please please help ......... I am 40 and had my last op for breast cancer on the 8th Dec (7 weeks ago). They tapped my eyes closed during surgery and I had an awful reaction where my eyes swelled. The skin was so raw underneath the eyes and eyelids that any skin that tried to repair just peeled.

Anway - the swelling stopped about a week ago - but I am left with seriously wrinkled and lined skin under my eyes and my eye lids have become really baggy.

I am not sure they will ever go back to normal now as they where so damaged.

Does anyone have any magic cream for wrinkles around the eyes? I am so upset.

xx

OP posts:
LaCerbiatta · 20/01/2015 11:09

That sounds horrible! Have the hospital not advised on how best to deal with it?

This is probably not very useful but i have eczema in my eyelids some times and they get really flaky and wrinkly. Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream, applied at night before bed, makes a real difference and they look less red and wrinkly in the morning.

Good luck and hope this helps.

squoosh · 20/01/2015 11:19

Sounds horrendous. I'd be inclined to visit the GP rather than a beauty counter. It may need medical attention. Did you discuss it with your surgeon?

Original poster
Joywillcome · 20/01/2015 11:35

Thanks - it is horrendous. I have literally hid away for the last 7 weeks, feel so low about it. EVERYONE says 'OMG' what has happened to your face!

My doctor and my surgeon are both very sorry for me. I have been reffered to Dermotologist and have meds but I don't think the skin will ever recover.

Sad.

OP posts:
OldBeanbagz · 20/01/2015 11:53

Have you used anything directly on the affected skin in the last 7 weeks? Does it sting when you put something on it?

I had a very bad reaction to out of date suncreem many years ago and my whole face was red & swollen, almost burnt. You could barely see my eyes but it did eventually go down and the scars disappeared.

However the reaction triggered skin allergies so products i'd used previoulsy were inflaming it again.

Having been patch tested i now have a list of things to avoid. One of them is zinc which may have been in the plasters your eyes taped up with.

So keep pushing at your GP for the Dermotologist referral. They really know their stuff.

babybarrister · 20/01/2015 12:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Joywillcome · 20/01/2015 12:23

Oldbean - thanks. In the last 7 weeks I have a used very mild steroid cream given by my GP and anti histamines (which I stopped using after a few weeks as it made no real difference and was worried about steroid on delicate eye area). Sounds very similar to yours - right eye was swollen shut for almost 2 weeks - so was my upper face and nose.

But I am now left with red, flaky, deep lined eyes that have aged me a good 10 years at least (on top of everything else I just want to cry - but that would hurt and make them worse!). So glad your scars disappeared - may I ask how old you were? Due to age my skin has lost a lot of elasticity so I am worried to deep wrinkles and baggy eyelids will be permanent.

Honestly - this really is the icing on the cake for me. The straw that may break the camels back!

OP posts:
TheCowThatLaughs · 20/01/2015 12:26

Would it be worth carefully trying some coconut or rosehip oil on the area? I use coconut when I'm looking a bit dry and wrinkly and it seems to help

OldBeanbagz · 20/01/2015 14:31

It happened when i was 28 and i'm now 46.

I had problems for a couple of years after the suncream incident as my GP wouldn't believe that it was anything other the ezcema. She told me that she'd seen far worse cases than mine and to go away & stop bothering her Angry

In the end i changed GP surgeries and having broken down in tears in front of my new doctor, i was referred almost immdiately. Took 8 weeks to get the appointment and after a week, i had the answers.

Are you still taking the anti histamines? Or having you given them too? It's probably worth persisting with those whilst you get your referral through.

If you're going to try coconut oil i would probably suggest patch testing on a hidden bit of skin first.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 20/01/2015 14:35

Poor you!

Eyelid skin is very thin, it's a bit wrinkly anyway, and often oily (although that just could be me!) so I think it is going to take a long time to heal.

Can you try taking arnica (orally) which will help with healing? I would be loathe to put anything on them right now because I'd be worried about further irritation, but I did once have a cream which had natural yogurt in it, which someone recommended after Oil of Olay (yes really!) had burned holes in my neck. Hang on a mo...

barleysugar · 20/01/2015 14:35

You poor thing, sounds awful. The only thing id recommend anywhere near your eyes is plain old Vaseline, and a nice warm flannel.

Dorisdolalee · 20/01/2015 14:41

You poor thing.
I would push for a referral to a dermatologist because otherwise you'll just be doing trial & error

I wouldn't worry about steroid use. Shirt term it's fine -but if it didn't have an effect it may not have been strong enough. In which case there's no point in applying. Only a dermatologist will be able to tell you

But I did think of this when I read your post

www.healgel.co.uk/products/heal-gel

No offence to post above but don't use the Elizabeth Arden it's too perfumed and might make it worse.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 20/01/2015 14:41

it was this but I can't find it on a UK site. I guess you could try organic greek yogurt though?

SirVixofVixHall · 20/01/2015 14:47

I was also going to suggest Heal Gel, give it a try. But also get a more urgent ref to the dermatologist. Cry and wail in the surgery if you must, they really can't leave you like this while dealing with cancer, your confidence will be affected, it is positively cruel. Push for the urgent appointment, perhaps call the consultant who dealt with your surgery and ask him too? Don't panic, there must be something they can do. At the moment the dryness will be making the whole area look much worse but that will go in time.
Do you have an appointment date yet?
So sorry you are going through this. Flowers Wine Brew

Original poster
Joywillcome · 20/01/2015 19:23

Thank you ALL so much.

I can't believe how depressed this has made me (my mastectomy went wrong - 8 operations and 2 years later minus my husband that left - this was my last op and now my eyes are ruined during it).

So far I have used: NOTHING, Vaseline, sudacrem, steroid cream, antihistamines and olive oil.

lonny Tomorrow eye will buy some Greek yogurt and try that.

I can't believe how kind you are all being. The awful thing is that I look so bad that when I do go out people stare then quickly look away - it's that bad. I am dreading going back to work for the first time since my op on Monday Sad

Spoke to GP receptionist - she isn't sure if the referral has been made to Dermo yet...... gggrrrr. My surgeon/consultant said he had sent a letter stating I need an urgent referral/apt.

I'll keep you posted about the yogurt. Then maybe the Heal cream.

xxxxxxxx

OP posts:
sheba1 · 20/01/2015 21:40

I have an allergic reaction to sunlight sometimes that leaves me with something that sounds similar, but probably not as severe. It does get better, but not until the dry and damaged skin has flaked away, which can take a while. The best cream I have found is Eucerin 10% urea.

MsMcWoodle · 21/01/2015 08:13

A cream called Sheald has has amazing reviews.
All the best to you.

uggmum · 21/01/2015 08:21

I also suggest Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. I find it really effective on damaged skin. It's not cheap but you can get it cheaper on Amazon.

Hope you find a solution asap.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 21/01/2015 09:12

Try sleeping with an extra pillow too, you want to sort of drain any excess fluid. Massage may also help? And try a cold eye mask?

Original poster
Joywillcome · 21/01/2015 10:34

Today I shall mainly be wearing ......... 'Greek yogurt and sunglasses'!!!!!

Left eye looking better - Right eye looking worse than yesterday?!?!?!?

Special thank you to SirVix for sending me some Heal Gel.

Feeling rather cared about for the first time in years ........ thank you ladies, I'll keep you posted.

xx

OP posts:
McSqueezy · 21/01/2015 10:43

I personally think you need to do nothing until you get your dermatologist appointment. Trying lots of different creams etc. may aggravate the problem further. Believe me, I can understand how distressing this is, but the best thing at the moment is a very gentle face wash, and a basic moisturising cream that can be used over the delicate eye area. Nothing else, no makeup, no fancy creams. You've had an allergic reaction and the skin needs time to repair itself.

jacla40 · 21/01/2015 10:54

How about this La Roche Posay product? It is for use after chemical peels. I use it on dd's eczema, allergy prone skin and also on myself when having sensitivity issues.
LaRP

I really rate the La Roche Posay range. It has made a huge difference to dd's skin. We tried many, many things over the years before finding these products and she has lovely soft skin now.

cloutiedumpling · 21/01/2015 12:37

The skin around my eyes has reacted to stuff in the past but nothing like as badly as yours. I found lansinoh nipple cream really helped. It does look really greasy though so I wouldn't use it just before leaving the house.

WeAreEternal · 21/01/2015 14:58

A few years ago I had a reaction to a facial, my eyes were very swollen and felt raw for several days, after that they stayed puffy and sore for well over a week, once they started to heal the skin on my eye lids and under my eyes was very dry and peely, red and blotchy and quite sensitive, it also looked awfully wrinkly, I tried all kinds of creams, had antihistamines and steroids from the GP but nothing seemed to make it better.

Although my GP had told me not to after a month with no improvement I decided to start putting vitamin E oil on my eyes, I use it a lot and swear by it for my skin but the GP had told me not to use it.
I buy it in capsules for holland and barrett and just prick them with a pin and squeeze out the oil.

after rubbing it around my eyes a few times a day my eyes were almost back to normal within a couple of weeks.

I think I may have some photographs somewhere, I used them in my complaint to the spa that gave me the facial, I will see if I can find them.

Original poster
Joywillcome · 21/01/2015 16:13

Hi,

McSqueezy - thanks, I cant even use a face wash on them at the moment - and certainly couldn't go near makeup! Gosh I can't wait until I can though - I can't even wear any type of blusher because the colour clashes with my bright red eyes!

weareeternal - you reminded my about the VitE capsules - I used them in this way years ago. I can't think why the GP would be against it??? So glad it worked for you - the wrinkle lines the swelling has created look awful when the swelling subsides temporarily - and this is what worries me that I will be left with RALLY deep wrinkly saggy eyes when this saga does all come to an end. I have photos too - I can send them via phone if you dare to have a look!

OP posts:
gonegrey56 · 21/01/2015 17:39

I am so sorry that you have had this additional challenge. Sending a big hug . I use an organic Rose Hip oil by Trilogy on my face. It was the only thing that healed post skin cancer surgery scars. My skin is also very sensitive and I react to many products but this has worked wonders for me . Available from John Lewis in beauty section , maybe online with them too. Do so help that things improve . Very very best wishes to you .