Had a similar problem to many here and found these posts several weeks ago. Since then, I believe I've found the cause/solution to my issue so I thought I'd post my experience. Three big caveats - first is that I realize correlation doesn't imply causation, so what I think may be helping may actually not be and it's all just coincidence. Second is that it's still early, so the rash still could come back. Third, I'm sure my doctors would not agree with analysis. But in the end, I'm an empiricist and I trust my own observation rather than patch tests and rigid doctors' beliefs.
As background, I'm a 40 year old male living in NYC. Had eczema as a child and according to patch tests done then, was allergic to citrus fruits and chocolate (although not eating those things didn't result in better skin). Within the last several weeks, for the first time, the skin around my eyes, particularly the left one started to turn very red and a little swollen and flaky (but not really that itchy) - first time that's happened. Also got itchy and flaky patches behind my ears and down my neck. Only managed to see my GP who thought it was contact dermatitis from my glasses given the similar shape.
A couple of years ago, I got a festering rash on my cheekbones. Patch tests and bloodwork all came back negative, but after applying a bunch of steroid topical cremes with only modest impact, I went on a strict elimination diet (under no one's recommendation but my own) - I had always felt that a rash was the body's reaction to some stimulus/stressor. It appeared that when I eliminated wheat/gluten, the rash went away. Again, the correlation doesn't prove the causation and none of the tests showed sensitivity to wheat, but it seemed to work, so perhaps it was a "food intolerance" vs. a strict allergy? After a few months of no wheat, I was able to eat it in moderation without the rash returning.
When my eye rash started, I immediately thought of wheat, but eliminating it from my diet again had no perceived impact. Neither did taking vitamin B and drinking tons of water. I was pretty despondent. I was scheduled to go on vacation to the mountains of Colorado and thought perhaps the clean air out there vs Manhattan would do the trick. Unfortunately, when I first got out there, things didn't get any better, and in fact got a little worse. However, by the 4th day, the rash started to clear and when I returned back home on the 6th day, my rash was basically gone (oh the happiness!). I realized that my diet had changed somewhat on vacation, so wasn't ready to mark it down to air quality completely. After a day back in Manhattan, I went to my parent's house in New Jersey and that night, my eyes got very itchy and the rash started to return by the next morning. I realized that I had some scallops that previous evening and other shellfish just before going on vacation ( and a couple of other times in the weeks before that). So I've cut those things out completely and my rash has subsided again and hasn't returned within the past several days.
I don't think the shellfish would have showed up on a patch test (and they didn't a couple of years back when I had them done), but as long as i stay away from it and the rash doesn't return, I'm going to assume causation there. I was one that always wanted to find the root cause and not just treat the symptoms, so hopefully this was/is the answer for me. I'll certainly post again if the rash comes back. I don't know if an elimination diet is for everyone, but it certainly helped me out in the past (was eating rice and chicken for awhile) and my perception is that foods can impact the body even though patch tests don't agree (different metabolic pathways?)
A few unanswered questions still for me - I didn't eat shellfish all that often before, so wondering if there was a secondary reason for the rash. The diet change hasn't helped a rash that I've had on the back of my hand for several months now. That seemed to do a lot better in Colorado, and has gotten worse since I've come back. Need to find a solution to that one now - for some reason, I don't think it's food related, though.
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Follow up appointment with Dermatologist results in him telling me that it is just my skin and that I will be using Protopic for the rest of my life. He hopes that the summer sun will bake some of it off me, but who knows.
What I have done is spaced out the Protopic application to see how long I can go without medicating. I am now applying it once (forehead and eyes) every three to four days. The rash is has not returned around the centre of my chest , clavicles or waist line. It started to creep around my back but that has since subsided.
One thing that I did recently is remove a open tank planted aquarium. Was thinking that the water evaporation may have been causing an issue (nothing scientific, just a hunch). No noticeable difference other than rash only shows up around face.
What I have done is spaced out the Protopic application to see how long I can go without medicating. I am now applying it once (forehead and eyes) every three to four days. The rash is has not returned around the centre of my chest , clavicles or waist line. It started to creep around my back but that has since subsided.
One thing that I did recently is remove a open tank planted aquarium. Was thinking that the water evaporation may have been causing an issue (nothing scientific, just a hunch). No noticeable difference other than rash only shows up around face.
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i have the same things it is not funny my eyes snd undereyes are swollen i did the oatmeal soak and it didnt work. my face is burning hot.! and it is really read
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I too have experienced itchy, red, swollen eye lids and found that after a night of drinking red wine (which I never drink) they were significantly worse!
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I'm a 17 year old male and about a week ago I woke up with this same thing. Swollen under my eyes, red all over my face with dry skin around my mouth, and it spread down my body in a matter of days. The itching is constant and I often get a needle like pain over my forehead and eyelids. Me and my family and completely lost at what this could be, and creams seem to sooth but not take away the "rash". We need to find out what this is, and I'd it's temporary or not. Please help, I'm glad to share my expierence. (forgot to mention, I had Ellios pizza the night before breakout if it means anything it's also spring almost summer so if anything pops up about those things they could be a step closer)
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Omg ( oh my god). I am so happy I am now the only one that has this issue. I have had it for 2 yrs. now. I am now on my 23 yr. of life. Last night my eye were burning and I woke up with the worst of them all. Usually its just my left eye. My today it is both my eyes I can barley see anything and they burn/itch/There is such a discomfort it's not even funny.
I have tired everything the cream ( you but on Ur waterline) couldn't use this very long because it had salt in the cream. I cant have salt I am allergic to it. My doctor gave my these eye drops that seem to work but it take a couple of days to clear. I wear make up which I was told my both my eye doctor and doctor not to. I wear both glasses and contacts ( more so contacts I hate glasses). No one seems to know why this happens. My amazing doctor finally found out and told my the reason for this is because I recently started wearing contacts my eyes are prone to more infections. I am highly allergic to cats ( haha have 3 of them) I am allergic to dogs more so long hair dogs ( I have 3 lil dogs). When I touch my 2 cats that are personally mine I get reactions to my eyes. Now that I think about it I did go grab my cat to put her back inside (possibly forgot to wash my hands but idk it was late). I 2 have asthma and I am allergic to so much. I cant touch seafood or fish ( sucks because I use to eat all the time until I turned 18) I cant have anything to do with seafood or fish. Iodine cant have it (the eye cream had that which is whats in most salt). This really sucks because its been happen more then usual I have had it 5 + times this year.
And figures my doc is on vaca until the 28.
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Okay, I'm 14 and I'm having these problems, it started out just a red line around my nose, and it started to itch, and by the next morning my whole face and neck had red itchy blotches, and by the next day, my skin has tiny bumps all over it, and now the bumps are appearing on my lips. Today, I went to the doctor and they said I'm having an allergic reaction, but I've never had this problem before. And to to it all off, my face is swollen, I Look hideous and my ears itch now also. what could possibly be going on
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Hi Everyone,
I am looking on this blog in desperation. I am 22 years old and have had no skin or health problems. AT Christmas I noticed red itchy bumps on my cheeks. Within two days my whole face has swollen so badly I couldnt see and I was un recognisable. My own mother didnt know it was me when I walked past her
I was admitted into the infectious disease ward of the hospital, and stayed in up until xmas eve. the only thing that gets rid of this is predisolone steroids. I have tried steroids creams but only the pills work.
My face swells without fail every few weeks whenever I stop my course of steroids. I cant work when I have it as I am client facing, so i fear Id scare them away!!
I am desperate for a response from the hospital. I have had numerous blood tests and patch tests. but the problem is, every doctor has a different diagnosis. I am seeing an immunologist soon to see if this is a problem with my immune system. If ANYONE has had severe swelling, itchiness and red paches and has found a diagnosis or cure, id love to hear back!!!
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Hi I have been having the same problems. My eyes swell and I have dark circles under them. Also have red swollen pouches under my eyes. This has been going on for about 3 months. I have just been Diagnosed with RA and being tested for possible Lupus or cushings due to a High RA factor test results. Also a soreness itchy feeling on my forehead that feels like a sunburn. I also have Alergies so it is so hard to tell what it is.
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My eyes itch, little bumbs around my eyes and hair line. My ears itch inside and outside. My scapl itches. It feels like face dandruff.
I seen about 5 different doctors, I guess I am lucky but known of them was able to help.
I believe this is some kind of yeast infections, similar what children get, like cradle cap.
I think the only way to cure this is a yeast free diet or the canddida diet. It also means to eliminate anything with sugar, because it is what yeast lives on. Also things that are fermented like vinigar, wine and alchohol.
Somewhere in this link someone mentioned when they drink wine I got a lot worse. Also someone mentioned eating a pizza and it started.
I love food and have not been able to commit to this diet, so I don't know if it works. Not eating yeast (bread), fruit, vinegar (I'm half Italian so I grew up on vinegar), juice and other is very difficult.
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Hi Rachel, I am experiencing also what you have but it's getting more severe. Started on my face for a year and now its spreading. Been to all doctors and they perscribed creams, pills, etc. Nothing helped. I've been to allergist, dermatologist, general doctor, iridologist. They really are puzzled. My face gets real red and supper dry like leather. Then in the morning it flakes like a snow storm. Antihistamines help the itch a little. Creams only help when it starts to go away. I too am getting depressed because at times I look like a burn victim.
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hi..hope ur doing great.. i v done my nails wz gel and one day later i got this eyrlids itchy thing..couldnt immagine its from it as i never had any kind of allergies before.. are sure they v cost you this reaction?
regards .suzana.
regards .suzana.
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Has anyone had Sarcoidosis suggested? I've been researching my symptoms and I don't have all the listed symptoms but I do have some as do some people who have posted on here. It's hard going around looking this way but for me the worst part is not knowing what is wrong. I originally went to a convenient care, then to the ER twice (I didn't have a primary care provider since I've had exceptional health before now) and finally a physician yesterday. The physician told me he couldn't really do anything for me since he would do just what I had already done, which is prednisone dose pack and antihistimines. I have an appointment with a dermatoligist next Tues (in 5 days), hopefully he will give me some answers.
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I had the same problem, and although I thought at first "I've not done ANYTHING different, why am I having this problem?" I finally discovered that I developed a shellfish allergy....swollen, red, dry, ugly eyelids the day after eating shellfish and it would take a couple weeks to go away. If you can get the doctor to prescribe you some prednisone tablets to make the swelling go away, and in the meantime experiment with your diet..
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are you still having puffy red eyes and swollen features? I have a friend that is going exactly the same thing . respond if you can.
Yvette
Yvette
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