Itchy red rash on face, swollen eyelids and under eyes on and off for month

I have had the problem of waking up with red, swollen blotches on my face, especially around the eyes, around nose, and on the lips. It usually itches and if it's bad enough, it will leave me with dry, tough, scaly skin. I just read a post on this site that said a common trigger was nail polish and I am thinking now that it may be the the solution to my problems and to many other's out there with the same problems. I could never figure out what was triggering it before because there are never in changes in my diet when it happens, but I have noticed that when I wear fake nails, it triggers the allergic reaction. I just woke up with an outbreak this morning however and I'm thinking it must have been due to the clear nailpolish I put on yesterday. For those of you out there that wear nailpolish, pay attention to where on your face you are most likely to touch when you are wearing nailpolish to see if where you touch is where your reaction occurs. I'm so happy to know what has been causing me such anxiety over that past few years! Hope this helps!

I have had swelling of the upper eyelids and puffiness under the eyes for about 1 and 1/2 years now. I have been to the dermatologist several times and nothing he has suggested has helped me. He prescribed a "protopic" ointment to use. It didn't help. He gave me a stronger one and it helped a LITTLE for a while, but eventually my eyelids got VERY red and irritated. I think it is too strong. I wash my face with Purpose face soap, a very mild cleansing agent. However, if I go without the ointment for a night or 2, my eyelids are back to being more swollen and itchy again. I have been on an allergy pill for about 7 months now- it doesn't seem to help either - and I am very frustrated. My face also has red, dry patches on it now, too. My eyes brun when, too, especially at night. I know that I am 52, but this is ridiculous! My face always feels like the Pillsbury Dough Boy with a bad complexion. When I raise my brow, my eyelids are all wrinkled. This is not normal for me! I hate to go to work looking like this - everyone asks me what's wrong! My eyes are almost swollen shut at times! I have tried going without make up for a while, have changed the make up I use (even though I used Clinique before), and have done everything I know to get rid of this problem. NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. Anyone got any ideas?

I was misdiagnosed with allergies, given a topical steroid and allegra. 2 yrs later after I decided this cream couldnt be good for my eyes decided to discontinue use. My eyes got 1000 times worse. Just got back from the dermatologist and was diagnosed with Perioral Dermatitis. Its a bacteria infection often caused from over use of facial creams, TOPICAL STEROIDS, floride tootpase and rosacea. It is treated with antibiotics. I cant beleive all the shitty Doctors out there. I was researching this eye problem all weekend and saw that tons of people have been suffering with what sounds to be the same problem for as may as 10 yrs. I start the antibiotics today so Ill let you guys know how it went in a couple of weeks. He also told me to discontinue all facial products, gave me cetaphil anti-bacterial soap and told me to come back in two weeks. He said my eyes will get worse before they get better. He said they are now addicted to the steroid cream and will have to go through withdrawl. I feel for you all. Ive been dealing with this for 2 yrs as well. Go to this website and see if it sounds like your symptoms. HOPE IT HELPS http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/perioral_dermatiti.html

It is a relief to know that so many people out there share the same affliction; but it is very disturbing that so many cannot find solutions! Is there a doctor reading these posts?

I have been suffering through this for three years now. I have done the steroid creams, etc., the dermatologists, the allergy doctors (very prominent ones), even accupunturists and shiatsu practitioners. After having been tested for over eighty chemicals, I was found positive for a fragrance allergy. After removing every possible thing with fragrance in our household, I am still flaring up at unpredictable times. Recently we have done research and found that there is such a thing called a sensitivity to Salicylates ( or aspirin). This compound shows up in fruits and vegetables naturally AND is present where man made fragrances are used. The symptoms of this sensitivity sound a lot like my symptoms. Now I need to find a way to test whether or not I am in deed a candidate for this. Does anyone know anything about this Salicylate sensitivity?

i got a reaction to makeup remover that caused a almost burn like symptoms...tried vitamin e then i tried a product called derma med..it scared me at first as it burned but within 3 days it si almost better...i had the condition for 6 weeks and could not wear any eye makeup at all

i believe its just an allergy cuz that happens to eall the time when i'm around cats and stuff...i'm allergic to cats...so mine is an allergy...yours may be too.

Glad to see I'm not the only one suffering from this!

39 year old female, with history of seasonal allergies (off and on). I first had this "eye" thing years ago in my early 20's - I did wear nail polish and back then most formulations had formaldehyde. That alone didn't start the inflammation, it was usually triggered by dry, hot summers and falls (dust, grass, leaves). Maybe the seasonal allergies started first, and I rubbed my eyes, the nail polished triggered a skin reaction??

After I had my first child at 26- it all stopped. No seasonal or skin issues for many years. I just had another baby 18 month ago, and this summer has been really hard on me again. Claritin didn't work, Zyrtec helps some, but my eyes are really bad. Sometimes swelling nearly shut, burning regardless of what I put on it (if there's nothing, the dryness hurts!). A few days after the redness and swelling, the flaking and wrinkling starts. Makeup doesn't matter one way or the other. My doctor was no help- he said a prescription strength cortisone creme may help, but he hestitates to give it to me because it can cause blindness if used too long! thanks Doc!

My only remedies are to keep taking Zyrtec, use OTC hydrocortisone oinment (that burns less than the creme) and using a sating eye mask at night is keeping me from rubbing my eyes/skin in my sleep.

I'm hoping as we move into fall this goes away, but I will keep watching this board for more suggestions.

Everything that you all have outlined is what i have been experiencing for the past few years. I have been to doctors and allergy specialists which have tested me and stated it’s a dust allergy and ill have to eliminate this from my surroundings! This is impossible to do as particles of dust are everywhere! I seeked further help from alternative medicine which most aided my problem, some acupuncture aggravated the problem even more. I found that it heavily depends of what type of acupuncture you get done. Chinese acupuncture is very aggressive and as it might help over time, I suffered symptoms for 4 months during my treatment before I gave up on that idea. I then tried acupuncture that focused on the area of the problem. Most acupuncture focuses on points along the feet and hands whereas I went to a doctor that went to the actual point of problem, he worked on points on my face and head to alleviate the problem. I then went to a chiropractor. Apparently having neck problems can cause allergy type reactions in your body and affect the lymphatic system in your face??!! I have also seen a beautician that deals with traumatised skin and lymphatic problems, she had found that although everyone has stress in their life, my stress was affecting the lymphatic drainage from my face which caused pooling in the sinus areas. I hope this helps, it may only be a bandaid solution for a while but I found it has helped my situation. Good luck !

I feel for you all. Here's my story...any thoughts are appreciated! Over the last couple months, my eyelids have been very irritated and swollen...and then eventually very flaky...on and off over the last couple months....I've had some more minor flare ups before around my eyes over the last few years, but the last couple months have been the worst I've ever seen. My right eyelid is worse than the left. And it's not just on the eyelid but also spread down to close to my cheekbones. I also have been suffering from a rash on my forehead, under my chin towards my neck, and one ear lobe.

With all the inflamation on my face, unfortunately my acne has gotten worse (i'm a late 20yr old female)...it's the deep cystic type....and I have a whole patch (6) of them on my chin (bcp such as yaz have helped some but not much...haven't been on bcp for the last 6 mo, but now back on b/c acne is so bad, and topical things for acne have been too rough on my apparently very sensitive skin).

Causes?

I don't have a childhood history of eczema. I eat healthily (no soda, lots of water, few sweets, few fried stuff, lots of organics) and exercise regularly. I'm fortunate not to have any health problems or history of any major problems. I have no known allergies other than maybe some mints. I've been using allergen free detergent and fabric softner for a year now. I don't wear perfume (nor does my beau). I have almost no fragrance in any of my soaps/shampoos, etc. I don't ever put nail polish on my fingers. I haven't worn make up in a few weeks now and never really wore much before.

Chin - Partly due to stubble from my new beau. I've made him change his shaving cream and shave right before seeing me which helps but doesn't solve the problem. Partly due to eczema since I"ve had flare ups on my chin before I met him too...I previously attributed it to stress.

Forehead - I also attribute it to the beau...the rash is on the side of which I sleep next to him.

Ear - possibly due to contact dermatitis...I have a slight nickel allergy (i.e. cheap jewelry)

Eyes - this one I really don't know and is the one I really want help with...so far I think it might be attributable to my beau's very old pillows since it gets much worse after a night in his bed (I'll find out soon if this is a problem...he's going to buy new ones) or his sheets (which he'll soon be using my detergent) or else mold which I just found in my bathroom...recent mold testing has shown that I have some moderate growth levels of black mold.

Solutions?

Neosporin - while it kind of works, becareful putting this around your eyes...it's actually very drying. My lower eyelid split after using it for a couple days.

aloe - BURNED (really bad stinging - made me cry), made my condition on my eyes much worse

1% Hydrocortisone cream - used to help on my chin temporarily, but usually it just came back. Used on my eyes here and there, but it's very drying (and from what I read online, creates deep wrinkles which I agree with)... However, with the flare ups in the last couple months, if I even try to put this cream on my eyes, it now burns the skin around my eyelids - one problem is that aloe is still an ingredient in many of these creams.

Aquaphor - my eyelids got worse

Burts bees facial creme - seemed to keep the eczema on my chin to a minimum, but was irritating my eyelids (even when I tried their 2 different eye cream - they burned my skin)

Cetaphil lotion/face wash (antibacterial and regular) - only things that doesn't hurt my face. I used to use these more regularly but then tried things like Aveeno and Lubiderm...then tried to deal with my acne with OTC things (proactiv, some competitor of theirs) and some Rx, but they are all so drying of my skin (and haven't used any of these in the last couple months since my eyes started flaring up)...have started to switch back so maybe with time it will get better

Aveeno (regular lotion and eczema lotion) - eczema lotion helped keep the eczema away on my chin when I used it regularly. Neither has been helpful for my eyelids...but they haven't been hurtful either, thought it only provides very temporary relief.

Lubiderm original lotion - not helpful/hurtful, but again only very temporary relief (meaning every hour or so I'm reapplying it b/c I'm back to being red, itchy, flaky)

Vaseline - similar results to Aveeno and Lubiderm...though at some point in time when I put it on my eyelids when they were already irritated, they did get even more inflamed.

A dermatologist was not helpful other than telling me to use hydrocortisone cream temporarily.

Next steps?

I'm seeing an allergist next week. I have taken allegra in the past due to some post nasal drip, so not sure how it helps my skin...but more recently I tried claritin d - no real help and kept me up all night. One night that I had really bad inflammation on my eyelids, a pharmacist told me to take 2 benedryl which I think had some help on the itchiness and swelling, but even as I'm taking it more regularly, doesn't help other than stopping the itchiness...

In terms of environment...I live in Maryland where there is high humidity right now (though Im usually in places with AC)...but I went up north and west to drier air, including some days of camping which helped reduce the inflammation a little, but maybe I need more time in these places before I see these symptoms go away.

Anything I haven't tried? Vit E, omega 3, acupuncturist...what else should I try??

At this point...I'm just using cetaphil face wash/lotion...and nothing on my eyes at all...

I hope some of my experiences will help others figure out what to use too.

I can't believe that this many people are having the same issues that I have!
I have had the ichy, red, puffy,wrinkled, flaky, BURNING under my eyes.....It has gotten better and worse(probably takes about 3 days to run it's course) and then all over again! I have had this now for about 3 weeks. My doctor says that it is a seasonal allergy(I thought it might be PINK eye but he ruled that out)....I have never had allergies before...I am taking Benedryl and Reactine...both work mildly....mostly on the 2nd and 3rd days when my eyes are getting better....when I take it on the first day though? IT DOES NOT HELP AT ALL!!! grrrr....
I have been diagnosed with a underactive Thyroid...I asked my doctor and he says it has nothing to do with it...I dont know if I believe....
I am going to the doctors in a week again...hopefully he will give me some steroids as that seems to be helping everyone else!!
I hope we all get an answer soon...

Does anyone notice that their rash is constrained to areas that are exposed? My rash follows the neckline of my shirts. Since summer came and I have been wearing short sleeves, my inner elbows are awfully itchy and inflammed as well. This makes me think something airborn is the culprit. I am at my worse in the morning.

Could it be: my bed??Maybe it's musty or moldy and I can't smell it. chlorine in the city water affecting only sensitive exposed skin? my husband?

Anyone heard of anyone being allergic to another person? Sounds silly, I know.

So in my researching, sounds like a common culprit of eyelid dermatits/contact dermatits is due to "surfactants" which are found in everyday personal care products (shampoos, soaps, etc). More specifically, "cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)" have been studied to cause eyelid dermatitis...seems like any derivatives that start with "cocamid.." may cause problems...so "cocamide MEA", "cocamide DEA"... Further reading of articles, seems like the real problem underlying CAPB allergies are "amidoamines" and "3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA)" which are used to create CAPB from what I understand. Or basically anything with the words "amine" or "dimethyl" or even "diethyl" may cause contact dermatitis reactions.... So I looked through my products...sure enough my pantene pro-v shampoo and conditioner, and so do some of my dove products, While I've used these products for awhile, the culprit ingredients do not cause problems for most people because they wash them off their face and they don't stay in contact with your face for long enough to create a reaction... However, Neutrogena shaving cream seems to have some relative of DMAPA which is what my BF uses. I may be getting a double dose b/n my products and his.

Anyways that's what I found for now! Any thoughts? You'd be surprised how many products uses these things.... Good luck to you all! I'll let you know what happens when I switch away from these types of products...

So in my researching, sounds like a common culprit of eyelid dermatits/contact dermatits is due to "surfactants" which are found in everyday personal care products (shampoos, soaps, etc). More specifically, "cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)" have been studied to cause eyelid dermatitis...seems like any derivatives that start with "cocamid.." may cause problems...so "cocamide MEA", "cocamide DEA"... Further reading of articles, seems like the real problem underlying CAPB allergies are "amidoamines" and "3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA)" which are used to create CAPB from what I understand. Or basically anything with the words "amine" or "dimethyl" or even "diethyl" may cause contact dermatitis reactions.... So I looked through my products...sure enough my pantene pro-v shampoo and conditioner, and so do some of my dove products, While I've used these products for awhile, the culprit ingredients do not cause problems for most people because they wash them off their face and they don't stay in contact with your face for long enough to create a reaction... However, Neutrogena shaving cream seems to have some relative of DMAPA which is what my BF uses. I may be getting a double dose b/n my products and his.

Anyways that's what I found for now! Any thoughts? You'd be surprised how many products uses these things.... Good luck to you all!

Hi everyone, ive been reading all these accounts and feel for you all, i do bodybuilding, and weight training, and am a personal trainer, so ive seen some of these symptoms in those i teach, Vitamin b5 at a dose of 1500mg a day taken through the day is the best thing for facial skin problems like acne, and dry skin is treatable by getting a hand full of oats, putting them in a sock or an old tight and running warm bath water through it, bathe the infected skin for about 2 weeks every day, it will work!!! regards .

I too found myself with this same problem. One morning I woke up with my eyes swollen and my lips swollen bigger than a bad botox session. I applied ice to my lips all day and the swelling subsided. My doctor gave me predisone which cleared it up but you guessed it, it has come back. I did narrow it down to the gel they used in artificial nails but now, any little thing triggers it and I can't figure out what it is. It is usually worse in the morning with only one eye swollen and baggy skin. I have one eye that looks like an 80 year old and one that is perfect. I have always washed my clothes in perfume free and dye free detergent and fabric softner so it isn't my detergent. I thought it was something in my bed but I recently went to a 4 star hotel and slept on down-filled pillows and my lips swelled and my eyes were worse. After I removed those, things got better but I still wake up every morning with the same problem. I have been to an allergist who says it is a dermatology problem so I'm headed there next for patch testing. I have tried to think of what possibly could be triggering it but I haven't changed anything. I have used the same type of make-up products (new of course) for the last 30 years, I exercise and have eaten healthy for EVER. It's very disturbing that so many people have these same symptoms and doctors can't figure it out. It's very frustrating.