It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one suffering here. I am a 42 year old woman, who like you all has the same symptoms: itchy, puffy red eyes. It started about 1 year ago and only flared up a few times last year. I visited both my intern, my allergist and my dermo who all told me I was allergic to nail polish and perhaps new eye makeup. They all prescribed 1.5% hydrocortisone, which tend to take the itch away but over the next couple of days they flaked and my eyes looked so wrinkled. Over the summer my eyes were much better, but the last two months they have been acting up incredibly. Unfortunately I have been using my Hydrocortisone, but now my eyes are swelling up to the point in looks like someone punched me, plus they have turned extremely red and are sore on top of the itchy, flaking skin. I look like a freak!
If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Thank you!
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Not only the eye area was affected. It looked like I had had a rope around my neck, my hands looked horrible and the bends of both elbows had rashes. Because of my lack of insurance and the incompetent dermatologists in my area, I chose to try to figure out what may have caused these problems myself. twice, each time lasting a month. I took myself off of a new cholesterol medicine to no avail. I had noticed when I colored my hair, it happened but, I have not done that since Feb. and mainly in the bends of my arms, about every other week, a rash starts with some itching so, I am not sure what the culprit is. It started on my arms again just this morning. As with everything else at the moment, I have left my fate in the hands of God. I have no other alternative. I do not wear fingernail polish and very little on my eyes. I try not to think about what I will do if it ever comes back full blast. I am working now but still no ins. so, I have no choice with any health issues. If you hear of anything else that may have caused this, please let me know.
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I am a 52 yr old woman...my syptoms started a few months ago...started with waking up with swollen itchy eyelids like I had been crying all night. Swelling slowly went down during the day. Eyelids were pink all day, then went away, then skin peeled, or was very flaky. Conditions come and go in varying degrees. A couple episodes, my cheeks and chin had a fine pink itchy rash that lasted a day. I have had a few friends have the same similar symptoms...one went to a derm and they really didn't know what to make of it, had no idea what it was. Came up with Perioral Dermatitis. Doc said hydrocortisone creme will make it worse. I used some, and had a little relief. I agree that this rash is STRESS RELATED. I have 2 teens...nuff said! lol There was mention of Apple Cider Vinegar...this is an awesome "elixir" that everyone should add to there diet daily. Google the health benefits of ACV....I am going to try an antihistamine next. I am really getting tired of waking up with this curse! :P
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A Dermatologist told me do not use hydrocortisone creme as it will make it worse...sounds like that was accurate. I'm going to try aloe vera soaked cotton pads...couldn't hurt. There has to be some kind of herbal paste that can be made...? I too woke up yesterday looking like a freak! People look at me with concern..."what happen to your eyes?"! I hate it!
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I have tried everything possible, even going to the local clinic and was idagnosed with eczema, which I've had many times and knew that is not what's going on. As of today, the bends of my arms have developed a new itchy rash, once again. I can only pray that it doesn't affect my eyes or hands again. I have came to the conclusion that with or without insurance, there is no one that truly knows what's going on. If there is anyone that knows of anything that may help, please let me know. I work but have no insurance and cannot afford to go to yet another doctor and waste money. I am petrified thinking of this stuff in my face, neck, hands, etc.! I do know that it is not happening from my cholesterol medicine or my hair color. I have not used either in at least ten months.
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Dear CM...thank you so much for this information. I am a 56 year old female experiencing all the conditions described in this thread, which seem to match those created by eyelash mites. I am a big believer in the power of vinegar (as are so many on this thread) so have mixed three parts water to one part apple cider vinegar and have started lightly swabbing the eye, mouth, and nose areas. Dr. Oz recommends tea tree oil for eyelash mites so I have begun to carefully pat tea tree oil in the same areas. I am using vaseline and my regular moisturizer to relieve the dryness. It has been less than 24 hours since I started this treatment program but my skin looks smoother even tho still red and puffy. Because the mites live for a certain number of days and lay eggs which hatch after a certain number of days I expect it will take several weeks to get these naturally occurring critters back to a manageable population. I will report back in and let you all know how the mighty mite battle goes. Keeping my fingers crossed that indeed I have eyelash mites!!!! what a weird thing to wish for... ;-)
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beatrice99...I too work, self employed, and do not have insurance. A friend has the same rash, around her eyes, she had skin biopsied and still no diagnosis...no one knows what this is. I had a similar issue on the back of my hands a few years back...to the cheapest non drowsy antihistamine "Equate" brand from Walmart. It went away. I bought some more...took it a little while ago...we'll see. I do believe this is cased by stress.
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I too am beginning to believe that this condition is being brought on by stress but am unsure of how to stop it! It seems impossible to turn it off with a switch, and without the insurance, it is also impossible to visit a doctor. God knows with the events happening in my life such as the first Christmas without my Dad, turmoil in a messed up family, health issues that my new job seems to be making worse (arthritis, numbness in hands, etc.), I am falling into a deep state of depression. I do not know if there is anywhere to turn. My Mother was a breast cancer survivor before a massive heart attack took her away thirty five yrs. ago. I had a free mammogram scheduled last week but was informed it was cancelled because the funds were depleted. Everywhere I turn brings bad news and I am so sick of it! Therefore, I have left my fate in the hands of God. I do not know what I will do if it spreads back to my face and neck but the bends of my arms are not looking too good at the moment. The only thing saving my sanity at this time is, I work at my local school system and do not have to return until 1/2/12. I will surely remain confined to my house through the holidays, which is a repeat of last year. What a miserable life!
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tea tree oil is making a GIGANTIC difference after 36 hours...if I wake in the night I reapply as that is when the little critters are most active and on the skin surface...still keeping my fingers crossed...
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Hi beatrice99...I don't have an eyelash mite infestation...ewe, rash is away from lashes, but I do have the itchy red patches on eyelids, and at the corners, and the other day under one eye where skin is puffy... Today is the 3rd day of taking an antihistamine, and 2nd day of tea tree oil applied directly to red areas...rash is not itchy any more, swelling, flaking, redness about 80% gone!!! :) now the skin is just really dry...I have been using vitamin e cream and that helps with that. Antihistamine I got is Equate brand indoor/outdoor allergy non drowsy 24 hr time release at Walmart under $5. :)
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Update: After three weeks of diligent cleansing with apple cider vinegar/water solution and the application of tree tea oil and use of vaseline, I am thrilled to wake up this morning to my normal face! Each week the symptoms have subsided then reappeared (as tho another crop of eyelash mites were born) but each week the symptoms were less severe, I assume because the mite population has gradually declined. I intend to continue this treatment for another month until I am sure the problem is resolved.
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That's great! I didn't have an eyelash mite problem, yet I did have the rash on my eye lids, and at the outer corner of my eyes. I used an antihistamine along with an aloe vera gel, also applied A & D ointment before bed. It took 3 days for this to clear...redness gone. Itchiness gone. Flaking skin gone. The Aloe Gel is just called "Skin Gel" made by Aloelife. It also contains some vitamins and herbs...cost under $3.00. Got it at a local natural foods store.
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Wow. Having all the same issues since July 2011, and have been searching online for fellow sufferers for a while now. 30 yr old male from Canada, with no previous skin allergies or any allergies to speak of. Started as red rash on left eyelid and under right eye, that moved to forehead and back of neck, behind ears, cheeks and jawline. Eventually a rash would develop on my clavicles an centre of chest and waist line.
Takes a few months to see a dermatologist here but he seemed as perplexed as I was. He prescribed Protopic and a steroid. Told to use Protopic for three weeks, then switch to the steroid if needed. Protopic burned my face for about three panicked hours at first, but I noticed a difference the next day. The only issue is, two to three days after using the cream the rash roars back.
This has been going on for some time so I have been able to try and cut things out of my life to see the effects: Stopped drinking coffee and alcohol (no positive effect), switched to Cetaphil only and started to moisturize (no positive effect). I was taking Omega 3s for years, but stopped to see if that helped (no positive effect). Installed a water softener (no positive effect). Always have had a shower head that filtered Chlorine, tried using it and not using it (no positive effect). Always have had dust mite covers on mattresses. Changed pillow material (no positive effect). Changed laundry detergent (no positive effect). Started taking Vitamin D (no positive effect). Tried coconut oil, and vaseline. Stopped wearing glasses for a month, bought new ones with no metal (no positive effect). Lots of stress in life (seems a common trait).
Next step is the follow up appointment with the Dermatologist in a few weeks. Most likely will be given a patch test. Will update when I have more information.
Thanks for sharing, people!
Takes a few months to see a dermatologist here but he seemed as perplexed as I was. He prescribed Protopic and a steroid. Told to use Protopic for three weeks, then switch to the steroid if needed. Protopic burned my face for about three panicked hours at first, but I noticed a difference the next day. The only issue is, two to three days after using the cream the rash roars back.
This has been going on for some time so I have been able to try and cut things out of my life to see the effects: Stopped drinking coffee and alcohol (no positive effect), switched to Cetaphil only and started to moisturize (no positive effect). I was taking Omega 3s for years, but stopped to see if that helped (no positive effect). Installed a water softener (no positive effect). Always have had a shower head that filtered Chlorine, tried using it and not using it (no positive effect). Always have had dust mite covers on mattresses. Changed pillow material (no positive effect). Changed laundry detergent (no positive effect). Started taking Vitamin D (no positive effect). Tried coconut oil, and vaseline. Stopped wearing glasses for a month, bought new ones with no metal (no positive effect). Lots of stress in life (seems a common trait).
Next step is the follow up appointment with the Dermatologist in a few weeks. Most likely will be given a patch test. Will update when I have more information.
Thanks for sharing, people!
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Hi there
I just read your post and it holds alot of interest for me as I'm currently having pretty much the same problem. I just wanted to know what the outcome was for you, if any, and just letting you that I fully understand what you're going through!
I just read your post and it holds alot of interest for me as I'm currently having pretty much the same problem. I just wanted to know what the outcome was for you, if any, and just letting you that I fully understand what you're going through!
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