Eczema around eyes - can anyone suggest any products I might be able to tolerate

[Flyingsouthwiththeswallows]

Without drip feeding, I have always had sensitive skin, but until a few years ago no real issues. No breakouts as a teenager, never any real need to cover up apart from sun protection, no greasiness etc.

Post menopausaly that all seems to have changed. My skin has become very dry, totally intolerant to make up and increasingly irritated by any of the normal skincare brands.

In the last few years, I have tried Clinique, Dermalogica, and even Chanel. To control irritation I have used Nivea, Aveeno and E45.

For the last nine months I have experienced increasingly bad Eczema around my eyes. This is now causing damage and swelling to the skin and resulting in irritation to the tear ducts on my eyes.

My GP has looked at it a few times and prescribed Hydrocortisone, but I am nervous about using that too much so close to my eyes. The Pharmacist told me last week that I shouldn’t be using it there at all.

Help. Can anyone suggest products that they have successfully used in similar circumstances?

I am going out to a special event with friends next week, and am so distressed at the look of my eyes and the fact that I won’t be able to wear any kind of make up, that I am close to cancelling. Any suggestions for moisurisers and make up products I could try would be very gratefully received.

Pure evening primrose oil. Topically and internally.

Hi same here. It doesn't help being allergic to almost everything. Mine are worse after a shower, when I can't avoid tap water on my face. Normally I use cool boiled water to wash round my eyes to minimise chlorine. I really have tried all sorts, and the one that's worked the best has been Lucas pawpaw ointment. It is basically Vaseline, and when I use it it keeps the flakiness at bay for a day or so. It ain't a pretty look, being very shiny and greasy, but if you use it the day before an event it will look normal again. Just slather it on, eyelashes too.

Pass, but following as the same

Just to add, I slather it on and then wipe most of it off, leaving a thin layer.

I'd look towards oils perhaps OP. If I am having a flare up I use extra virgin olive oil and it really, really helps but also love jojoba oil, or rose hip oil.
The eucerin urea creams are also a lifesaver for me. Aveeno is ok for general moisturising too when things are less bad but I generally use eucerin 5% urea cream, then the 10% if things are terrible. The oil offers me instant relief though, I mix it with a little water and apply.

I second Eucerin. I have eczema round my eyes too. I ran out of the Eucerin about 9 months after the initial outbreak and within days it was back, got more Eucerin and it cleared up again.

Cut out all SLS (shampoo, body wash, face wash, toothpaste etc) and use CeraVe (specialist eczema brand, I think it's in Boots). Just wash your face using the hydrating cleanser and a soft flannel, then put on the moisturiser. Every other day you can dab on a tiny bit of vegetable oil before bed, and if things are really bad swipe them using cotton wool soaked in boiled salted water

Honestly? - I would blitz it with hydro cortisone for a week to get it under control and then lay off the various products you reference

I second the PP who suggested using the steroid cream for a week. Use four times a days to get down the inflammation. And continue for a week. Its unlikely it will go away without this. It's only when you're using a high concentration regularly over long periods that damage is likely to occur. Ince the inflammation has gone down then concentrate on keeping moisture in the skin. Have a look at La Roche Posay Lipikar range. They are specifically designed for eczema for all ages from baby to adults.

Suggest you ask your doctor about protopic cream (there's info online) as an alternative treatment.

I was suffering for months - hydrocortisone didn't work and I was also concerned about skin thinning - and this cleared it within a week or so.

Otherwise I agree with PP that to apply hydrocortisone a few times to clear it up will probably do less damage to the skin than ongoing inflammation will, on balance. I think concerns with skin thinning are very valid but really are associated with prolonged use.

Dm was much the same and raves about Dr haushka.

I have the same issue. Honestly while it’s inflamed please don’t put make up on it, it just makes it worse.

I had this with the pharamacy, they are trained to never advise you to put steroid cream close to your eyes but I double checked With doctor and they said it was fine for a short period of time, not for prolonged use. Use the steroid cream for a week, no make up.

After that I would use an emollient to keep it in check. I use Diprobase (can buy over the counter) just on that little bit of my face if it’s even starting to get dry, and normal moisturiser on rest of my face. It’s parrafin based and works wonders.

Eczema around the eyes here too, OP, so you have my sympathy.

I agree with PPs who have suggested using the hydrocortisone cream for a strictly limited period. It's the only thing that works for me and my GP has always recommended it. On a daily basis, I use only Simple soap and E45. I hardly wear make-up (Clinique if I do) and that routine works for me.

Good luck. Hope it clears soon.

Thank you all.

There is more information in these posts than I have managed to glean from several visits to my GP and various pharmacies.

I have used Eucerine several years ago, but haven’t tried it since the flare up started this year. So that is definitely on my list to buy today. I will also be following up on the other suggestions you have made.

Thinking about it LadyCaroline it is interesting that this flare up started after I moved house. I wonder if a change of water is implicated. I shower every morning.

I am also suspicious of the Silver shampoos and Plantur 39 conditioner that I started using about the same time.

Perhaps I just need to bin all of those and search for new shampoo / conditioner as well.

I sometimes get the same on my eyelids. It’s usually stress related but can also be if I am a bit run down. The GP recommended Cetraban cream which you can buy over the counter in Boots and it works brilliantly. I really slather it on before bed as soon as I feel the tiniest initial tingle then apply a thin layer during the day and it keeps everything under control. I can’t recommend it enough.

Diprobase was a perfect emollient for my DS when he had severe eczema around his eyes. Its quote greasy but not too thick. We just kept applying throughout the day.

For eczema on eyelids and round eyes/ mouth, I have found that cera ve in the tub (the thickest consistency) really helps

For eczema on eyelids and round eyes/ mouth, I have found that cera ve in the tub (the thickest consistency) really helps

Does anyone have a make up brand they can tolerate?

I would really like to be able to wear Eye Shadow and Mascara for the event I am going to next week.

Clinique doesn’t work for me. I wore one of their Mascaras a fortnight ago, for just rwo hours, and had an immediate reaction.

Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Elidel cream (similar to protopic) has sorted my eyelid eczema and doesn’t thin skin. Might be a fight to get your GP to prescribe it because it is expensive but it was the first thing my dermatologist suggested.

It tends to be a problem for me when the weather changes but I do then put a tiny slick of steroid (in my case betnovate) just to take it down. Face cream is La Roche Posay Tolériane. Mascara (yes I know I know it’s an MLM! School mum does it and I went to a party!) is Arbonne.

Here is an Eczema Society factsheet. It also mentions why olive oil shouldn’t be used.

Tubing mascara (I use Blinc) can be good for sensitive eyes as it is more likely to stay on the lashes only.

We were told by the consultant dermatologist to use hydrocortisone around the eyes in the ratio
2 days use : 1 day off or
4 days use : 2 days off
until it cleared.

She said they see many problems now due to people underusing the steroid creams as they do work!

Just sharing what a dermatologist told me;
Hydrocortisone cream 4x a day for 2 days then protopic ointment 2x a day after that.
If you clear it up enough then hopefully your skin will tolerate make up. I use e45 when it's "not too bad" as it doesn't really bother my eyes if any gets in. I've found other creams make them sting.
It is such a pain, I didn't realise so many people suffered! Thought I was one of the only ones.