Eczema and sore skin above eyes

Posted , 2 users are following.

I’ve had various outbreaks of eczema throughout my life, but recently I’ve been struggling with the most inconvenient and hardest to cure yet. Whilst previously it’s been on my legs, arms, waist, etc. it is now around my eyes – particularly my upper eyelids and the skin below my eyebrows. I wash my face every day with an emollient cleanser recommended by my GP, which stops it from getting any worse but does not stop it all together. I also moisturise my face with Diprobase a few times a day, and on particularly bad days I may also use a very small amount of topical steroid (Betnovate) to try and accelerate the process. I’ve never been too fussed about having eczema on other parts of my body because it’s been easy to cover up with clothes, but I’ve had a few comments recently from people asking whether I’m severely ill/a drug addict due it being quite prominent (especially when viewed in combination with the naturally dark skin under my eyes). I’ve tried changing my diet, applying almond oil as well as coconut oil, not moisturising (in case it was that damaging it) but all of it has been to no avail. Even when the cracks and swelling of the "true" eczema does sometimes clears it's still very red. I’m running out of ideas at this point – if anyone has also experienced this, or has some suggestions please please let me know!

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi

    Few things

    Re the steroid creams, please look into TSW/RSS (topical steroid withdrawal syndrome/red skin syndrome).

    Also, have you had patch testing? You may well be allergic to things in the moisturisers or the oils you mentioned.

    I suggest keeping a journal, writing everything down. Everything. Where you went, what rooms you went in, who you saw (you are exposed to their products too etc) what you eat, what you did, hopefully you'll find a correlation.

    Let us know how you go.

    God bless

    • Posted

      Done a bit of research into TSW/RSS and it seems to make a lot of sense! Would also explain why my pet allergies can suddenly become much worse at random intervals...

      thanks Bellla cheesygrin

    • Posted

      Bitter sweet to hear. I'm glad you've discovered the cause. I'm sorry withdrawal may cause such suffering. Good news, It will end!

      I've been going through it myself. As well as the skin issues it causes (burning, itching, pain, seeping, shedding, smelling etc), it's also caused me to have amenorrhea, Dysgeusia, palpations, diareah, headaches, temperature disregulation, low white count, etc.

      All the specialists say that in TSW the skin can't tolerate anything, so you need to do (if possible) moisturiser withdrawal including anything topical (oils, etc) and ideally no soap or cleansers etc. Pressure dressings are an individual thing, some find then invaluable (like me) others find they stick too much to the ooze and rip off when changing etc.

      I'd recommend joining some Facebook support groups. People can offer advice and help you through hard days. They can also understand how doctors often don't help and can ever cause extra suffering.

      Keeping you in our prayers

      God bless

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