Problem with sore and itching eye 6 months after shingles

Thank you. I  don't get a tightness, just soreness and itching, but the dr and the eye dr said it's best to keep putting on moisture cream, I have sensitive skin already so there are some things i can't use. I was given Zero cream which has no perfume, and i now use sudocrem which seems to soothe it a bit, The problem is that I can't use it on the eyelid and it feels so very sore, Sometimes I wrap an ice cube in a piece of kitchen towel and just keep wiping it around my eye to soothe the pain, Today my eye is very sore and the whites look pink again as they did a few weeks ago, The rim of my eye is also red, This seems to be never ending and i am starting to worry that it could affect my sight if i have to keep rubbing my eye as it sometimes itches so much, Does your husband not suffer with this?

Thank you for your comments, I have not heard from anyone else who has the problem that we do, I don't think it can be that common even though we have had the worst type of shingles, The area (skin) around the eye is the most sensitive andI know that it is never good to rub the eye but as i'm sure you know, the itching can get unbearable! When did you last go to an eye dr and what do you use on or around your eye? Nothing i have tried ever works, I do put vaseline on my eyelid at night but that doesn't really help either, Anti itch cream for the eyelid just doesn't seem to exist! I sometimes use sudocrem on my eyebrow and forehead  as it gets really sore too. I wish you good luck as i know this gets very depressing!

I have noticed that the more I itch it the worse it itches and if I leave it alone it tends to itch less, but it does get unbearable and worries me overall that it is even itching in the first place when it never used to! I honestly have never used anything special for the itch alone, but I do try to make sure that I use good skin and makeup products that are less irritating -- especially with stuff on my eyes. I'm not sure if this applies to you but it could help with some relief!! 

I was hit with shingles in my left eye. Still recovering. I found that Aveeno baby eczema cream on the lid and lightly under the eye helps to keep it moisturized. It also helps with the itch. I also use calamine lotion and a cold compress. I just try my best not to scratch but it seems to get worse at night. My scalp drives me nuts too. 

Hi lisa,

You are right, drs have no answers, i just get told it takes time!! I use lanacane on my forehead and eyebrow and that does help, but it's my eye that is the problem, there is nothing that works! Although it's called PHN which is a complication after the shingles has gone, I get no neuralgia now, and no pain thankfully!

It is called postherpetic itch!

I find that nothing helps my itching eye and eyebrow, it drives me mad every single day and I had shingles in April!! I also use drops, one is a steroid, I have a gel that I use at night but always wake up with terrible itching, I never used warm compresses, I found a cold compress better but it doesn't last so now I don't bother, The only thing that helps a bit it to keep really busy with things to take my mind off it, I sometimes put vaseline on my eyelid. It's always worse when I am alone and sitting down thinking about it!I I have heard that this can last months or even years!! Sorry it isn't very positive. 

I forgot to reply about the red eye rim, and yes, the bottom rim of my eye sometimes gets very pink and my eye looks inflamed  but some days are worse than others, I ofter wonder if it would improve if i never rubbed it but that is easier said than done when the itching gets unbearable! I was hoping that antihistamines would work  but they don't as they are for treating allergies and that isn't the case.

Do you know why the bottom rim of your eye is red? I have a very red swirl under my iris, mostly hidden by my lower lid. I had shingle 5 weeks ago on my scalp, forehead, and around my eye. Wondering if this is a lingering shingle? 

It's been 15 months since onset, centered in left eyebrow.

Family physician told me - emphatically - that all "remedies" you'll find on internet are bogus, including acupuncture.  I agree it is important to keep yourself occupied and somehow keep your hands away from affected area.  For me, any alcohol will offset benefit that I might get from tramadol drug.  In fact, I'm about ready to give up on tramadol and return to Lyrica ($$). I am participating in faith-healing sessions.

I'm so sorry to hear about your eye, Some people do get swelling, mine was more just above the eye, have you been to the eye clinic? it is very important that you go regularly when shingles affects the eye, Good luck and i hope you don't suffer too long with this

Hi Angela.  My husband has been suffering from eye shingles now for 3 1/2 months.  Initially it was swollen shut.  You need to consult an opthamologist immediated so that in addition to the oral antiviral, you also start on eye drops (antiviral, steriod, etc.)  You don't want the shingles to damage the cornea and retina.  Luckily my husbands cornea and retina are fine, but he had a different complication that is rare (eye palsy).  His eye was shut for 2 1/2 months.  Miraculously it opened and has resolved.  His vision is back and his eye is open.  He still has swelling on the lower lid and has been having oil buildup and clogged ducts.  We've seen an eye surgeon and he is watching/removing what he can.  The message here is that the eye is very tricky and dangerous.  Be sure you are directly treating the eye in addition to the overall virus.  I hope you recover very quickly.

Hi Angela,

I was just reading your post from a month ago. How is your eye? I am recovering from shingles that attacked my left eye. It's been 2 months now and the eye is still hypersensitive to the light and it feels really dry. I still scratch my scalp at night and I need to take a light sedative every night so I can sleep. It's been horrible. I am seeing the eye dr. Again next week. My biggest concern is damage to the retina. I have been eating well, taking supplements, juicing etc. Tomorrow I see a Naturopathic Doctor to see if I can boost my immune system and also get help with my sleeping issues.