Help with Eczema around eyes

[jferris6]

I have been suffering with Eczema around my eyes for 2 1/2 years now. I am 33 years old, and I have attempted to attach a picture. If I do not apply this ointment that the Dr. perscribed, it will become flaky. It is extremely itchy, and some days it is not even there, and then other days it flares up. I really want to find the cause of this. I tried food allergies first, in which I cut out dairy for a few weeks, then I cut out gluten for 3 weeks, and I didn't notice a difference. Now I'm wondering if that is long enough or if I should have cut it out for longer. I didn't start using any new cosmetics or soaps, I'm thinking it might be stress or anxiety related, however I have been working on that the last 6 months and my stress and anxiety levels have decreased significantly. I am pretty much willing to try anything to find out the cause. If anyone has any suggestions or anything, please share! Thank you so much.

I can't attach a picture because apparently 256 MB is the largest attachment, if anyone knows how I can add a picture, I'd appreciate it. I get red patches of skin, usually the size of a small fingernail or larger, at the outer sides, on my cheek bone, on my eyelids or in my eyebrows that itch, and without the ointment will scale and flake with dry skin.

[Marcie Mom]

Sorry to hear that, hugs. Any luck with allergy testing and patch test? Eyelid is tricky and I've only heard of doctors prescribing Protopic as steroid cream is not advisable for thin part of eyelid. Not sure if bacteria colonize eyelid, maybe can check with doc on that. Also using any moisturizer?

Take care!
Mei

[jferris6]

I didn't know there were any allergy tests. I went to the urgent care years ago because it showed up right before my wedding, so he gave me an ointment, which is a steroid based, but it's a low % in it so he said it was safe for the eyes. Do I ask my primary for an allergy test/prick test, or do I need to go to a dermatologist? I use eye moisturizing creams, been using the same one for 4 years. I'm stopping the steroid ointment (I just googled it and found out it was a steroid), and am starting with gluten to see if that is the culprit, and I'll go from there.

[jferris6]

And what do you mean about the bacteria? That it could be a bacteria?

[Marcie Mom]

Hi there,

Allergy testing can be taken in hospitals in Singapore but not at GP. I think dermatologist will have access to the test too. More on allergy testing on my blog For bacteria, eczema skin has more than 50% chance of being colonized with staph bacteria. Staph bacteria is a harmful bacteria which in most people won't really cause harm. But on eczema skin, it may be sensitive to the toxins from the bacteria, increased inflammation. We use chlorhexidine wipe/body shower which help to kill these bacteria, a source of infection too like impetigo. But I know the label on the chlorhexidine say not for eyes. The alternative is a swim but the drawback is some people may be sensitive to the chlorine. So check with your doc

Take care,
Mei