Eczema eye area

[overheardin]

Wasn't sure whether to post in here or health!
DP has eczema around his eyes. It's usually just on his lids and a little flakey, manageable with regular Aveeno. I don't think it's blepharitis as no other symptoms- gritty feeling etc.
But in the last few months it's got worse- very red/sore looking, feels tight and has spread across most of the top half of his face. It's worse in the morning. He's quite good at applying the Aveeno twice daily but it isn't touching it.

The GP has been pretty useless, the steroid cream prescribed didn't work and he's wary of using it too much/often due to the area. For various reasons I can't imagine him getting to a dermatologist anytime soon.
I was hoping for some recommendations of alternatives to the Aveeno he could try if anyone can help? Any advice much appreciated!

Do you use micellar water?

@winterwarmer8274

I have this and I have been saying for months now I’m convinced it’s a mould allergy. How did you go about ascertaining that it definitely was this? I would love any info!

OP I have been using La Roche Posay eye cream a PP recommends. I’m not sure it makes it massively better but it definitely hasn’t made it worse lile everything else! Very interested to see PPs saying eliminate refined carbs… Maybe I will give this a go.

I used a dollop of aloe vera gel straight from the plant and mine cleared up overnight.

I was prescribed a protopic cream for persistent eczema around my eyes. It cleared it up for good.

I had exactly this. Hydrocortisone stopped working and after about 2 years I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed a protopic ointment called tacrolimus monohydrate. It was life changing. Perhaps ask your GP if they can try prescribing that. I've been using it for flare ups for 15 years now

There’s emerging evidence that being low in vitamin D can exacerbate eczema. If he’s low, a dose of 2000 iu per day should help. It will take a while to make a difference if it’s going to. Details here …

I had this and used lots of aveeno and occasionally steroid cream. During a flare up nothing really helped. I resd about seborrheic dermatitis and how some moisturisers feed the fungus that causes it. I swapped from Aveeno to cetaVe as it contains different length fatty acid chains that the fungus cant utilise. No kidding, after years it cleared up in maybe 3 days. No expensive creams needed. I also got an itchy scalp and off the same advice stopped using conditioner anyway near my scalp (same reason).

@overheardin
It's an awful condition, quite debilitating

Lots of advice around cerave, aveeno and so on - all helpful but these only moisturise the area so give some temporary relief

Couple of people have mentioned Protopic Tacrolimus ointment. This will clear it up in a couple of days but is on prescription
He needs the 0.1% which comes in a 30g tube

In the meantime, a cooling eye mask will help reduce the associated inflammation and soothe it - one you keep in the fridge, not one with chemicals in. Something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACWOO-Cooling-Reusable-Migraine-Headache/dp/B0BYJCV84S/ref=ascdff_B0BYJCV84S/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=655533539887&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17269212355678658024&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046299&hvtargid=pla-2198128693857&psc=1&mcid=c04557c2ab5f3868903b35b18b2b4ad7

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5299492/

I wouldn't bother with the specific eye cream,it's no different from normal CeraVe ,just in a smaller tube!

Those, wax melts and overly scented candles are killer for me! They give me terrible flare ups and even upset my stomach. I don't know how people fill each room in their homes with them!

Some are full of glycols which are allergens and can cause contact dermatitis in some. I wouldn't use these for eczema.

Cooling eye mask - I got a good one in Boots. You pop it in a bag and in the freezer, and then wear it for 20 mins or so. It helped - but only helps when you have it on, but those 20 minutes feel great! The cold helps with inflammation as well, so it is worth a go.

I use an Arcade Skincare (small indie-type brand) hydrate & repair balm and they have a cream as well. Natural and no perfumes so safe for the eye area and it has helped with the itching and soreness I get with my eczema massively.

The one I am currently using.

I have the exact same problem - started Summer 2023 and my eyelids started constantly flaring up. I went to the GP but the steroid creams they prescribed didn’t help. I read about Hydrosil gel and bought it and I have been using it twice a day since December and my flare ups have calmed down considerably and becoming less frequent. Sadly I am on holiday in sunny climes at the moment and I’ve had a flare up again and I now strongly suspect there is something in my sun cream that is irritating my eyes. Oh well, at least the flare ups don’t last as long with the Hydrosil gel. Good luck OP and hope your DP finds a solution that works for them soon.

I have this, hydrocortisone ointment (prescribed by the GP) helps during flare ups - I find the ointment 100 times better than the cream
obviously eye creams, but I find them hit and miss
controversially, when it’s bad, but not flare up bad I use a nappy rash cream with zinc and castor oil does wonders! Sometimes I use it alongside the hydrocortisone

Ask the GP for Protopic - it’s not a steroid so can be used around the eyes.

When I had the issue, I ended up with patch testing and I was allergic to a few things that are in shampoo/conditioner etc and I was letting it get on my face when washing.

Dermol is very good for eczema type conditions. It can be used as a wash too, but I think you'll need to get it from a French pharmacy. It is sold over the counter.

Came to recommend this. I had a hideous bout on my face once and was very lucky to have an amazing specialist GP who prescribed this straight away without a fight. It cleared it up and never came back. It does feel like it’s burning your face, but ask your DP to bear with it. Don’t waste time and money on high street creams. Push for this medication. It comes in different strengths and I was given the mildest.

Had eczema around my eyes so badly twice when I was super super stressed .
I could barely open them in the end, so
painful.
Don't usually suffer from eczema but have some psoriasis.
Saw a dermatologist privately.
Got Protopic 0.1 , cleared it up totally , not available on NHS.
Costs around £60.
Gamechanger !!!!
Before using Protopic

was advised by dermatologist to wash face only with glycerine and water ( for moisture ) was given eumovate ointment and lotriderm to use first ( one a steroid , other antifungal ).