Cracked eye lid/eczema?

[Girlintheframe]

Can anyone help.

Last summer I think I had a reaction to the vit c serum I was using. Both eyelids and under eye became sore, flakey and cracked.
I stopped using everything and went back to basics using LRP sensitive range.
One eye is fine but periodically the other eyelid (only) becomes red, inflamed, cracked and sore.

I just can't work out what's causing it or how to fix it?

Anyone?

Can you think of anything you do differently that triggers it?

Have you been to your GP?

I get this round one eye, I think it started a couple of years ago after using a strong vitamin c , it flares up now and then. I think glycolic can set it off so I'm very careful.
To soothe it I use LRP cicaplast baume or e45. Know the LRP not supposed to be used on eyes but it really helps.

I get this on my eyelids with anything that has zinc in it (sun block, foundation, concealer with a mineral spf).
If old-fashioned elastoplast causes you any itching, this is a sign that your skin doesn't like zinc.

lanolin does this to me

I had something like this years ago.
Spoke to a pharmacist in Boots who recommended I think it was called 'special eye ointment', which was supposed to be used in the eye but because it was eye friendly ok for around the eye and it kept it moist and really helped

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9491145/Woman-22-eczema-severe-struggled-open-eyes-praises-12-natural-cream.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed_desktop_tvshowbiz

I have the same problem and have just ordered this stuff . Willing to give anything a go as even the really expensive stuff from a dermatologist didn't help .

What do you use for SPF, Meri?

You can get prescription eczema cream designed especially for eyelids.

I can't wear eye make up mostly and this helped me when I hadn't yet realised - or it developed over time maybe. But yes, it helps and the relief from the itching was instant.

I had it ages ago so might be worth asking if pharmacists can supply it now.

@Apileofballyhoo

What do you use for SPF, Meri?

I'm a bit lazy and use (with a heavy hand) a primer with spf. Favourite is Emma Hardie Protect and Prime spf 30. Or less pricey Pupa BB Cream + Primer spf 20. If I'm on somewhere with very bright sun for any length of time I use Roche Posay Anthelios Milk (its an spf 100 chemical sunscreen, but I also get horrible rashes if I burn).

Thanks all, lots of ingredients to consider.
Thought I had it under control after stopping the vit c and it did appear to go but every now and then flares up. Only on one eye too!

I'm using a sensitive sunscreen too but will have a look at the ingredients to see if there could be any culprits in it.

0.5 hydrocortisone cream is what you need. Everything else is a faff. It’s prescription only so your GP will have to assess if it’s necessary. If so, it will clear it up within days.

Obviously moisturiser alone won’t clear it if that’s what you’ve been trying so far. Definitely buy new & basic products in the area. Eg Simple eye cream. Sometimes older products that have been opened for a while can cause issues as the ingredients oxidise.

Did you actually apply the vit c serum to your eyelids and under eyes? What product was it? Also what exact products do you now use in the area?

Hydrocortisone with vaseline at night

You can try a tiny bit of over the counter hydrocortisone cream.
I had long term eczema years ago, and did get 0.5% hydrocortisone on prescription. It's actually okay to use the over the counter 1% for a couple of days but no longer than a week as it can thin the skin.

If you tell the pharmacist it's for your face, they won't sell you it.
But I think there may be a version that you can buy without having to ask- could be E45 with hydrocortisone.

@wingsnthat

Did you actually apply the vit c serum to your eyelids and under eyes? What product was it? Also what exact products do you now use in the area?

No not near my eyes. Was Medik 8 that I was using.

I'm assuming it was that but don't know for certain.

I also recently used nicinamide on my forehead and ended up with a sore eye then too.

I've no idea what's going on, never had a reaction like that before. I'm just sticking to LRP sensitive line at the moment.

Will try and get some hydrocortisone cream. Thanks for the tip (sorry don't know how to tag the poster that mentioned it)

I think once you have eczema somewhere it can always come back, a tiny bit of hydrocortisone is your best bet- spread very thinly it will help you to get on top of it again. It could be a reaction to something- I would suggest checking for/ removing SLS from your cleansing routine as it's quite harsh, that also might help.
Mine started as a reaction to something in the pink waterproof Maybelline mascara, which I'd used without issue for 10+ years previously. My GP sent me for tests at the hospital. The eczema has come and gone ever since, my eyelids still react to all waterproof mascara and also to Micellar water and anything with SLS in too. I manage to keep it at bay most of the time but it does flare up now and then.
Hopefully you can work out what's triggering it and you can stay on top of it.

Just check the ingredients of everything you used and see what the common ingredients are in each product as these might be an indication of the problem. If you don’t have the products any more, you can usually find ingredient lists online

I have had this for the last 18 months or so - had a couple of prescription creams (tacrolimus and Rosex) but the thing that actually got rid of it was the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. Might be worth giving it a try. Took maybe a fortnight to clear up completely but seems to be clear now.

Thanks everyone, this thread has been really helpful.

Often over the counter hydrocortisone can be found labelled as bite cream in a small tube. Perhaps mix with a moisturizer 50/50 like vaseline or E45

It could be atypical blepharitis. Ignore the images on Google of the swollen shiny eyelids, this one is more scaly/ red/ flaky, similar to eczema. Treatment is really simple- diluted baby shampoo applied with cotton wool or soft cloth - not a flannel or anything rough.

@Greenvalleysightseeker

I think once you have eczema somewhere it can always come back, a tiny bit of hydrocortisone is your best bet- spread very thinly it will help you to get on top of it again. It could be a reaction to something- I would suggest checking for/ removing SLS from your cleansing routine as it's quite harsh, that also might help. Mine started as a reaction to something in the pink waterproof Maybelline mascara, which I'd used without issue for 10+ years previously. My GP sent me for tests at the hospital. The eczema has come and gone ever since, my eyelids still react to all waterproof mascara and also to Micellar water and anything with SLS in too. I manage to keep it at bay most of the time but it does flare up now and then. Hopefully you can work out what's triggering it and you can stay on top of it.

That's interesting, I had a reaction to Maybelline mascara too, I also have a reaction to their eyeliner.

I use CeraVe eye cream under my eyes but I find a little where the skin on my eyelid is dry and sore does the trick.

I had a same problem and someone recommended Lansinoh- yes the stuff breast feeding mothers use! I use that with a small amount of hydrocortisone cream and it's worked, along with a daily vit d tablet which may or may not have helped

OP, you need to be careful with hydrocortisone cream on your eyelids. I had eczema on eyelids suite badly once as well as on my arms and my gp prescribed different strengths creams. The pharmacist took one look at me, asked if the lower strength stuff was for my eyelids (I mean it obviously was, they were in a state) and she warned me that hydrocortisone can affect your sight if you get it in your eye. She still sold it to me though.