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I look like a scaly monster [Eyelid Eczema]
Scorched
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Alright, so this is major embarrassing and all. As the title says, I've developed a case of eyelid eczema.
This started back in December when I did not have the time at all to get it checked out by a doctor, and I thought it was just case of dry lids. Things weren't so bad until I came home (just one eyelid.) However, its getting much worse - spreading to different the other eye, and other parts of my face.
I do have an history with things skin conditions like this (all different) related to stress and stuff.
I would go to the doctor, but wont be able to for the next ten days. Since this is actually wrecking my confidence a little bit (I thought I got over that, but no dice) I was wondering if anyone had any anecdotal advice I could try out until then?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This started back in December when I did not have the time at all to get it checked out by a doctor, and I thought it was just case of dry lids. Things weren't so bad until I came home (just one eyelid.) However, its getting much worse - spreading to different the other eye, and other parts of my face.
I do have an history with things skin conditions like this (all different) related to stress and stuff.
I would go to the doctor, but wont be able to for the next ten days. Since this is actually wrecking my confidence a little bit (I thought I got over that, but no dice) I was wondering if anyone had any anecdotal advice I could try out until then?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Scorched on
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I always use Aveeno for my face and body, something that's thick and soothing without feeling of grease (like Eucerin). I moisturize religiously, morning and night and whenever I feel a little dry, I use it. Another tip is get something without fragrance.
Also, at night, wash your face, moisturize using lotion and then massage your face with a very small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphore, drug brand, w/e). And go to sleep. Next morning your face would be so baby butt smooth. (if you don't like the greasy texture, just gently work it into your skin and wipe the excess off with wet towel or something). It works wonders for me.
This sounds like Seborrhea to me. This is usually found around hairy areas on the face. It gets kind of tricky to treat around the eyes but the treatment is actually pretty similar to what you'd do with dandruff. If you are feeling brave you can try some selenium sulfide (Selson Blue) or zinc pyrithione (Head and Shoulders) but you really don't want any to get in your actual eyes, obviously. Just rub some on and then leave it on for at least 5 minutes --- that part is very important. It needs time to penetrate. When most people say these products don't work for them, it's because they don't leave it on long enough for it to work. Some people have some success with coal tar as well.
If those don't work then you can try some salicylic acid or sulfur, or even a combination of the two like Sebulex. Once again it's tricky to treat the area near the eyes with these agents.
Lastly, there have been some studies where there is actually a fungal infection that exacerbates these conditions called P. ovale. Some people have found it beneficial to use an anti-fungal like ketoconazole but I would try the other methods first.
As for dealing with it, I tried to keep it dry and was "that guy" wearing sunglasses indoors. Funny enough I felt more stupid wearing sunglasses inside than not, but at least I was just deemed "socially awkward" rather than "look at that freak."
There are some decent creams out there for it though. Just try to get to it before it starts cracking and oozing.
PSN - sumowot
Until you can see the doc, I would recommend Eucerin cream as an over-the-counter temporary solution.
In regards to moisturizing and all that: yeah, I've cut out pretty much everything from a daily regime. (one face wash which contained salicylic acid btw, so I'm not sure if it could be seborrhea.) Using a different moisturizer and some sunscreen as well, it seems to be... better today after having been terrible for the past week or so.
About the creams: I'm finding a lot of stuff on the web (yeah, I know, medical info from the web) that they tend to leave as much as a visible mark as the eczema afterwards in terms of discoloration and thinning of the skin and whatnot. I'm not planning to against the grain of proven medicine, but did any of you who try it experience any of that?
I suppose that even if it says, the one upside is that I'm a veritable testbed for dermatologists. I wonder if I could make money selling my face to science.
As an eczema suffer since a toddler I've tried out more creams and lotions than I can count on my fingers, and like you stress was a trigger for me. During my teenage years it was bad enough to cause scarring and infection on my calves, since I always hid it under long socks. I'd advise against not wearing glasses, or hats if the eczema is near your forehead.
I did experience some slight skin thinning, but as I said I have been on a tons of steroids. And I'm going to sound like a hippy/my mother: but the only cream that has calmed my skin down and keeps it at bay is "Dream Cream" by LUSH, and it has also reduced the appearance of my scar tissue. If you have a store near you it'd be worth going in and asking for a tester, or just Google it (they have a US store too).
A thousand times this
A am serious.
They also have online ordering.
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
I had bad eczema on my fingers and after years and years (over ten years, really) of using steroid ointment left my right middle finger with slightly thinned skin but then again, that finger had it really bad, I have had to use ointment for extensive period of time. Beside, steroid ointment/lotion/cream for your face tend to have a lot less steroid compared to what you would normally use for your body. So I wouldn't worry about that too much.
What I thought was really really (really) bad eczema was actually celiac disease manifesting oddly.
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
I also use Cetaphil and it has been excellent on my arms and legs. Works well on my face too, but it takes a little longer.
That dream cream is intriguing, is it worth the $25? I can't really tell how big the tub is on their website.
Yea I'm interested in that Dream Cream, anything to help eczema :P
i found this picture of the tub with someone's hand, if that helps you get a reference..
it's not super big but it's not small either.
Have you tried hydrocortisone? I have similar issues (though mine is definitely seb derm) and hydrocortisone is what I use any time I have issues with eyelids or around my upper lip. It usually works perfectly with no issues, and reasonably quickly (i.e., within a day).
This sounds amazing and I'll definitely try that out.
Thanks for your help all; the fact that many of you seem to have had positive outcomes was worth it by itself, but the advice is incredibly helpful and a good enough confidence boost.
Dunno if there's anything more to add, I'll probably come back after I've gone to the NHS and seen some results to post and confirm what worked out well/did not, to maybe help some other people!
Edit: Also will ask my doctor about celiacs disease all to make sure. I'm a hypochondriac when it comes to internet diagnosis, so I'll relax about it, but I have been eating pasta 6/7 days. Would be my own fault for not paying attention during nutrition in biology.
That's a pretty good size, about what I was thinking for something coming from Lush. Thanks :^: Actually, to anyone who has used it, would it be safe for facial use? It says Hand and Body Lotion, wasn't sure if that's a rule or just a general label. I'm checking in case of the possibility that it's not good for your face, for whatever crazy reason (my face and elbows are where I get most of my outbreaks).
Good luck OP, I'm sure there's something out there that will clear it up for you. It's a tough game of trial and error.
The other thing that really helped was not wearing facial hair and thinning my eyebrows some (bonus, my eyebrows look a lot better now than their natural bushy state.) So you might give that a shot if you're flaking in those areas of your face.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
well while i was looking around, i've read that some people use it on their face and love it so i assume it would be fine. and to be honest, if i wouldn't put it on my face, i wouldn't put it on my body either so there. if you do decide to get it, let us know how it is, i'm genuinely interested.
This stuff took my skin from boiled-in-oil to baby soft in a week
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
Dream Cream should be fine for your face, but try a bit on your upper cheek or something before slathering it over. I have sensitive skin (which breaks out in a rash if something like a belt buckle rubs on my tummy), but I use it all over my face including lips and eye area without any problems.
Copy that, I'll have to pick some up this summer when I'm in a city with a Lush. All of the ingredients sounded fine for face stuff but, y'know, eczema is dumb and does dumb things under dumb conditions. Looking forward to having this around!