Allergy around eyes

[Chelt16]

Does anyone have bouts of eczema around eyes? I've read it may be linked to my low thyroid. I seem to have constant infections and this skin problem is the latest. Any advice on topical treatment?

[BadHare]

I used to have peri-orbital & peri-orbal dermatitis during cold winter months. It's not flared up even the tiniest bit since I started taking THs, even when I've had to ration it. One of several things on the list of my former hypo symptoms.

The stuff I found most helpful was Avene sensitive skin cream which is sold in some big high street pharmacy type shops or online. Also Aderma which is a tad cheaper. Both companies make oat based non-soap bars which are gentle for washing.

If you can't get these, try soaking some oats in boiled water, wrapped in a clean sock/tied muslin cloth or flannel. Squeeze after 5 minutes & oaty slime will ooze out which is soothing if applied to your face & won't harm your eyes. Calendula or hypercal (calendula & st john's wort) cream is also soothing, That's available in healthfood shops & online.

[Chelt16 in reply to BadHare]

Thank you - symptoms first appeared couple of years before hypo diagnosis last year. Latest bout seems to be attached to run down after yet another virus. I will try the oats option as really want to find an alternative to petroleum based stuff, diprobase etc.

[BadHare in reply to Chelt16]

The herbal creams are natural. I like Neal's Yard ointments, though Nelson's might be easier to source, or Weleda.

[humanbean]

Yes, I get eczema on my eyelids and under my eyes sometimes. I'm intolerant of lots of creams though, and the treatments I use are a prescribed steroid liquid which I use extremely sparingly (I use single drops at a time, as rarely as possible), and I also use single drops of baby lotion. If I use too much baby lotion it seems to make my skin look waterlogged.

[JumpJiving]

I have had mild eczema all of my life, made worse by developing a lactose allergy in my early 30s that literally results in my skin flaking off like a snake. I struggled for years to find a topical treatment that would work for me. I was prescribed hydrocortisone, and the GP suggested E45. I found E45 stung like h*ll, no matter whether on face, hands etc. The hydrocortisone worked as a remedial measure, and I was reliant on it for some years, but obviously it's not something you really want to use long term (even though the GP was happy for me to do so) and it's not something you want near your eyes if you can help it. Whilst relying on the hydrocortisone, I tried so many different moisturisers and hydration treatments that I couldn't even start to list them all. None worked, until after some years I found a company called Aesop. For whatever reason, their stuff just worked. No more hydrocortisone, even if I always have some tucked away just in case I need it. Aesop's Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream worked but is ridiculously expensive if you use it regularly. I ended up using their Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream, which still isn't cheap, but is far more reasonable than the eye cream. I do use it near the eyes, but very carefully. If you want to check it out, the link is aesop.com/uk/c/skin . I have used that for years and still do, but interestingly over the last couple of months have found that I can now use other products that simply didn't work for me in the past. I guess our skins change over time, but also suspect it might be because I have changed my meds (levothyroxine to NDT) and have become religious about getting my bloods better - vitamins B12, D, selenium, iodine, iron, including addressing my raised cortisol levels. What seems to be a bout of acne at age 54 definitely seems to suggest that something is changing. I figure these things are very individual, so what works for me may not work for you, but for the price of a jar of cream there's no harm in trying. I know how horrible eczema can be, so hope you find something that works.

[Redditch]

nope, but have you tried giving up potatoes? Mine was potato related. Try leaving them out for a week and see if it clears up

[Chelt16 in reply to Redditch]

Hi - unlikely for me sadly as I've been spud free since last autumn! But food allergy I will have to look into now as the eczema is linked to the repeated bouts of sinus infections. There's so much to think about when you first get diagnosed.

[BadHare in reply to Redditch]

Just potatoes, or all nightshade family?

[Chelt16 in reply to BadHare]

I'm not sure what that refers to - I've been cutting down on carbs - pots, rice, pasta, bread and eating more veg, salads with protein. Trying to keep glycaemic level steady. It's helped with energy dips - now less dramatic

[BadHare in reply to Chelt16]

Some people can't tolerate eating any nightshade related plants: potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines. peppes, chillies.

healthline.com/health/aller...

[Ruby1]

I get it on my eyelids. It took me years to work it out - it’s certain shampoos, conditioners and hair products - even ‘natural’ ones sometimes. Doesn’t seem to be related to face creams or thyroid.

I spot the warning signs now and stop using anything new the minute there is a slight itch. If I don’t catch it, I have to use mild steroidal cream as it can take a while to settle.

Aqueous cream is a really cheap cream that can also be used with water as a ‘soap’ for eczema sufferers.

Best of luck!

[1880emma]

Yes , I get Eczema on my eyelids, I found using Child’s Farm moisturiser clears it up ASAP.

[Budgie5 in reply to 1880emma]

Hi there is this the unfragranced child one or the slightly fragranced baby version?

[Clairewalker751]

I have a flare up around my eyes about once a year In autumn dermatologist prescribed an ointment called protopic it worked like magic! Cured a patch of eczema I had had in my hand for years and it never came back!

[Budgie5 in reply to Clairewalker751]

Hi there does your eyelid eczema still flare or did protopic rid it for good?

[Clairewalker751 in reply to Budgie5]

Rid for good if I get a tingle now I put a tiny amount on and it doesn't flare

[Budgie5 in reply to Clairewalker751]

Hi there. Sorry for not saying thanks earlier, only just seen this. Bizarrely mine has now gone - after five long months! I have no idea why. I haven't worn eye make up or anything around the eyes since October, but I started taking Floradix iron supplement about a week ago so can only assume that's what's kept it away this time, after I stopped the hydrocortisone 0.5% (normally it would come back a couple of days later). Keeping my fingers crossed it stays away!!! NB did Protopic sting when you used it? (just in case I need to consider it later on!)

[Clairewalker751 in reply to Budgie5]

No not at all it's feels like vaseline

[Hidden]

my sister had it and it was a nickel allergy.

[Chelt16 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I've heard that so I've now chucked out some eyeshadow pots with bits of metal base coming through. Just trying everything as hate going to work with red puffy eyes!!!

[Madcowlizzy]

Hi i used to have severe excema around my eyes. I went to hospital and they gave me initially an anti fungal medication, Canestan HC and an emolient called Dermol. It worked and i use Dermol every day on my face and have that on repeat. Whereever i get excema i now use it. I had RAI two years ago and have no thyroid. You should get free perscriptions on thyroid meds so get them from the Dr as dermol is quite expensive off the shelf. Hope that helps you. Liz

[Ziburu]

I get random dermatitis and flaking on my face. Can be around my nose, eyebrows ear, under my chin. I’ve put it down to diet. Not sure if if dairy or gluten? Same as my joints come up very painful if I eat sugar. Could it be what you’re eating? Good luck with that Chelt

[Ziburu]

Btw forgot to mention. Am now into coconut everything. Have a huge tub of coconut oil from Costco, which I cook with (along with olive oil) and use as a fab moisturiser👍

[Chelt16 in reply to Ziburu]

Yes I'm beginning to see link between what goes in foodwise and what happens mentally and physically. I've cut back on sugars after reading up on insulin and food. I've not cut out all grains yet realising though that maybe next😕

[wellness1 in reply to Chelt16]

I also have this problem. In fact, my hypothyroidism was diagnosed via eczema. You've received lots of good suggestions here. I think it's worth pursuing the connection with food. The most common culprit is dairy, particularly for children. I did an elimination diet, giving up dairy, gluten and refined sugar. I only noticed a difference with sugar. That said, I've given up refined sugar except for a few special occasions, and I still have eczema. Milder now, though. Good luck, it can be so irritating!

[Ziburu in reply to Chelt16]

Also, another thought. How are you with nickel? Lots of people with thyroid probs are allergic to nickel. If I wear nickel, I very soon get a rash.

But the point is diet, nickel is also in many foods.

Google nickel free diet. Just occurred that this might be an issue for you. Good luck

[BlueMoon65]

Have a patch of eczema on my face which seems minimised by using micellar water to cleanse, and Superdrug moisturisers seem least aggravating. Main problem has been what appears to be acne/psoriasis on back, chest and upper arms. 90% improved since diagnosis seven years back, but it was what triggered my diagnosis. At 58, after struggling with all the more obvious signs of hypo for most of my life, I pulled up my top and showed my GP of 25 years the hideous skin problems. He was visibly shocked, muttered ‘sign of chronic illness’ and retested my thyroid...which must have been dramatically low considering the context of lab tests. So do residual skin problems indicate undermedication?

[Chelt16 in reply to BlueMoon65]

Off to see gp for review appt and plan to ask that question! Cluster of symptoms is growing and a different picture is appearing not just what my TSH reading implies. Really hope you get some relief from your symptoms.

[Teegee27]

Snap! Constant little rashes & Sty's!!

I've not felt hundred percent for along time!!

Kind regards

J

[Sedum]

Eczema is often linked with low omega 3 levels.

[LAHs]

I don't know much about allergies nor eczema but regarding the other part of your post "I seem to have constant infections": this will happen if you are under medicated when you have hypothyroidism. I did an experiment on myself once, my Endo kept telling me that my TSH was too low so I should reduce my medication, I tried it for about three months. One of my first symptoms was that I caught every bug that floated my way, I soon realized that my Endo was wrong and I stopped the experiment. I went back to the dose of medication that suited me, which was not the one the doc wanted me on, but too bad, docs don't feel the symptoms (the effect) which results from their recommended dose (the cause). When you decouple the effect from the cause you are no longer acting sensibly and your patients suffer.

[Chelt16 in reply to LAHs]

Thanks for all that - agree that day to day picture of my health has deteriorated and the overall pattern is low immune system. Trying to have that conversation with gp is very difficult. Will keep trying to put together a more complete picture via a range of sources. Going to get myself tested as suggested on here and see what else I can do to support my knackered system! Just get down some days when another bug comes along.