Upper eyelid swollen, red and itchy, help!

So sorry you are going through this.  For the past two years I have been to specialists ranging from my primary, opthalmologists, specialists at Lions Eye Institute, allergists and MASS Eye and Ear.  I have had treatment that ranges from very warm compresses, eyelid massage, steroid drops, antiobiotic drops/ointments, natural tears, Eyelid wipes, Wet Ones, steroid creams, antihistamines.  You name it!   I am a heatlh educator and am aware of changes, basic care and this came on suddenly with no warning- one eye to start,  now both about 2 years ago.  The only factors that seem to be leading to some clues:  believe it or not my gyn suggested that while I had chickenpox, I get cold sores occasionally, had a case of mild shingles (noticed it right away and went on antivirals with only 2 lesions!) and now the vaccination--perhaps this is the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve involved with the virus and occasionally it tries to act up and this is the symptom--red, swollen, itch and sometimes painful eye area, thankfullly not in the eye.  So, I take Valcyclovir daily.  Another specialist thought perhaps Rosacea of the eye and said try Doxycycline 50 mg daily.  I ony take that when I have an outbreak.  I just had a raging sinus infection and ear infection- interestingly, my eyes did their thing too!  Mass Eye says they believe allergies and troublesome sinus history may be the  key.  This is so tiresome!  I am healthy, active, working and very positive, but I tell you, it gets discouraging.  So, keep up with reading, seeing and insisting on seeing specialists until you get some answers.  My routine has changed.  All agree, this is not demodex related and maintain good eyelid  hygiene but not include warm compresses, rather cool.

1.  I wash eyes with diluted baby shampoo morning and night.

2.  Occasionally, but not when I have a very swollen/painful symptom incidence I clean my upper and lower eyelids with Cliradex wipes.  They are strong and sometimes trigger redness for me.

3.  Before bed after I wash my eyelids and face, I use carefully---a wet ones wipe around the eyelash roots.  I apply a natural ointment or coconut oil on the lids to try and get moisture.

4.  I wash my face  with only paraben free cleansers and natural soaps/cleansers on the rest of my body.

5.  I use the cool gell pack for eyes on my eyes if they are tired or developing symptoms.

Meds as described.  Keep you posted--hope it helps!

I'd like to help, but... I just know that dryness causes a lot of trouble like ichiness,

infection, etc. In my bleph experience drops help very little. I drop gel from the gel tube 2-3 times a day. Then  I use over night eye goggles that have foam inserts.  I wet those inserts, put into goggles and this is my savior.

I could never wear contacts even when I didn't have bleph because my eyes are very dry.

So now its worse. The fact that you have trouble with 1 eye might mean an infection.

Good luck.

Dear echobravo,

I had a young girl come over and her eye was bothering her and the upper lid was swollen too. I told her what worked for me and I gave her a Wet One, antibacterial handwipe, and she used it immediately. 

I was able to kill my Blepharitis with them and she used them too. I had the terrible itching in both eyelash areas. Mainly because I transfered the infection to the other  eye. I still have dry eye. I use the drops that are preservative free.

I used makeup while killing it too. That involves new makeup and using throw away mascara wands, one for each eye every time.

If you would like the info let me know. There are many who have used it but if you are allergic to detergents or fabric softeners or lanolin you may not be able to use them.

You need to use 2 wash cloths, one for each eye so as not to transfer to your other eye. This was mentioned by a Dr., online, too.

Tea Tree Oil kills Staph as does the Wipes so there are other options on this site.

Hope this helps,

Lynda79