Swollen eyelids and swelling under eyes

I had similar swelling around my right eye.  I went to visit my son for a few days and there my eye got worse and worse to where the swelling was so bad I could hardly see out of the eye.  When I got home I happened to go to my dermatologist about another matter.  She looked at my eye and did a blood test for allergies.  It turned out that I am terribly allergic to dust and dust mites.  She told me to get rid of my pillow and buy new ones or bleach mine every few weeks.  Since I took her advice, I have not had any problems.  I did sleep at a friends house on vacation and my eye started to swell right away.  I now buy a new pillow when I visit people.  My son got rid of his old pillows and when I stayed there last, no problems.  My right eye was affected because I sleep mostly on my right side so it got the most exposure to the dust mites. You cannot see the mites.  If your pillow looks like an old potato, get rid of it pronto and wash your pillows in bleach and detergent every few weeks.

I initially had this same scary swollen eye-area condition in April of 2012. It recurred about 4 weeks and then about 3 weeks later. I went through the whole creams/lotions/soaps/makeup/laundry detergent pruning process during these months.

Through a coincidence of sorting through some receipts, I think I found the culprit. Once a month or so, I (used to) pick up some take-out Chinese food at a favorite buffet restaurant on my way home from work.

On these occasions I'd take a small spoonful of 3 or 4 different items, along with some plain fried chicken wings. Since then I've ruled out the wings, (by buying only wings and having no problem) but the prepared foods probably have an ingredient or preservative in the seasoning that causes these flair ups. I've never previously had a reaction from MSG, or actually any other foods, but I understand that allergic responses can develop later in life.

I know forms of MSG appear in lots of prepared or boxed food products, but it seems to depend on the particular brand.

To illustrate, one Monday I had the swelling, and realized the day before we ate an "all natural" meal -- roasted chicken, potatoes, and fresh salad BUT we included an off-brand stuffing mix purchased in a dollar store. I noticed that MSG was among the ingredients, but then I checked the Stove-Top brand, and found it, too, uses MSG, and I don't have a breakout with that brand.

I still get the swelling periodically, and like many posters, after the swelling, I get the flaky skin, and the previously-swollen skin develops lots of mean-looking wrinkles that never seem to completely go away. I've only had really itchy sensations about 1/3 of the time.

My conclusion is that this is likely a food additive reaction for me. My company's cafeteria offers a large salad bar area with some prepared foods -- some really 'healthy' stuff, like quinoa and roasted veggies, but I've swelled up the following day or so even after eating these. It's hard to really know which food on which day causes the swelling, but trying to be on the safe side, I'm now avoiding prepared foods and roasting my own veggies to take to work.

Having said all that, I ALSO sleep on my tummy, so the posters who mention mites/dust issues resonate with me, too! Based on lots of your comments, I've avoided going to doctors for this, because it doesn't seem useful (yet).

I'd appreciate it if any of the former (or future) posters take a look at their eating habits, and see if they can trace swellings with eating out at particular places, or making something at home with certain ingredients? A tough thing to do if you eat out regularly (I don't) but maybe helpful?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have these symptoms around spring/summer. I can't take allergy medicine....but I did find an awesome eye drop that quickly reduced the swelling. It's an over the counter eye drop with an antihistamine in it called "eye itch relief drops" brand Kroger. I found it at my QFC grocery store. Hope this helps. Ps I use two drops instead of recommended one.

Try squeezing slices of fresh lemons and limes in big glasses of water everyday and watch your symptoms subside. It has done founders for me this year!!!

It has done wonders for me!

I am having the same problem with itchy, red, swollen eyelids. Have been told by a variety of practitioners that it is a sign of a troubled immune system. Has happened three times, all after major emotional disturbances. A hot shower helps to relieve the itch and remove the crusts. Evening primrose oil -- open a capsule and spread on the rash with clean hands and it will take away the burning sensation. I am also using allergy eye drops and take small doses of Benedryl (I don't like to take drugs and don't overdo antihistamines). The first two times it went away with the above care and after I managed to overcome the emotional stress. This third time is more difficult because it is happening during a high pollen season, which aggravates my eyes. I had never had it before I encountered the worst stress of my life. I once had chronic mono so I know my immune system has been overworked -- the soldiers are tired, I think.

Yes , I went to to Pennsylvania for the weekend and I stayed at a hotel with my mother . When the I woke the next morning , my eyelids, under my eyes , and the bridge of my nose were swollen. As the day went on , they got better , when I returned home that night, I went to the bathroom and when I looked in the mirror , it was just as swollen as before . I was very worried and up to this point , I have wanted to see the doctor.

It's probably a combination of leaky gut syndrome and dermatitis. Mario Bedesco makes a cream ($30 bucks at Ulta) called Control Cream (it has Balsam Peru in it)..took my dermatitis away in 2 days and I had for 6 months..so worth the money. Research Leaky Gut and Candida and Celiac disease.

for 2 years my eyes swell under them to the point my skin splits open and tiny specks of blood accur then it burns like a raw blister then peels then goes away and all they ever do is give me steriods im sick of pills i need help

I have the same thing happening to me. She told me it was blephatitis., but it keeps coming back. Don't want to use the steroids she gave me again. What state do you live in? How did you find the right doctor?

I've had the exact same thing! I'm female, 25 and have been suffering from this for nearly 6 months. It's a very distressing problem and it has majorly affected my confidence at home and at work and my relationship with my friends and boyfriend. I have so far had 5 doctor appointments, 2 ophthalmologist appointments and am going to see the dermatologist next month. I'm convinced it is to do with my eyes and not my skin so much because my skin is in good condition until my eyes start burning and/ or tearing and then all of a sudden I'm wearing a bright pink mask or look as if I've been punched. Sometimes it's one eye but usually it's both. Then the skin swells and then goes itchy and dry. I'm on the verge of giving up hope, feel like I've tried everything and also spent lots of money in the process. I too have been diagnosed with dry eyes, blepharitis, contact dermatitis. All rubbish, I'm sure! For the last few months I've stopped using all the c**p they prescribed me and have just used all natural things. I'm no better but I'm not worse. Just wondering if anybody else is having slight chest pain/difficulty breathing and getting small patches of eczema too and having diffiulty sleeping? Totally miserable and probably going to have to go on antidepressants soon. I reallHate it when people don't understand the daily pain associated with this and just assume you've been crying/ been hit in the face!!!!! X 6

Try a homeopathic or aryuvedic doctor. They are good with determining the root cause of things and use natural items to cure.

I have been suffering with a similar problem for about 7 yrs now. It comes and goes about 3 times a year but when it's here it's BRUTAL!!!! It starts with a little tingling so I know it's coming then a few days later I wake up with swollen puffy eyes, dry and wrinkly looking. I look ridiculous like someone has punched me out or like I've been crying for a week straight, not to mention I look 20 yrs older. I have tried EVERYTHING. I went to specialists and they gave me creams and pills and did allergy tests on me and they still can't figure out what's causing this madness.
It's usually worse on my one eye as well. I'm so desperate to find out what's causing this! I'm desperate to find out what I can do to make this STOP!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mines just come out of the blue right eye redness is moving down towards cheek really itchy and stingy have to put loads of camaflouge make up to cover it

Thank you so much for your post. It sounds like you're writing about me except I've been suffering with this for the past 2 and a half years. I thought it was my eczema. I have such a bad case right now that I been online every night reading everything I can find about puffy eyes and eczema hoping I would stumble onto something that would help me. I've given up on dermatolagist years ago. I just dug out my son swim goggles today to give this a try. It sounds the most promising and it explains why I look the worst each morning. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Terrie