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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: Scottietottie on August 11, 2011, 06:56:32 AM

Title: Eczema again?
Post by: Scottietottie on August 11, 2011, 06:56:32 AM
Hi  :)

This morning I woke up aware that my right eye was really itchy - but on the outside. I went to the mirror to see that it is really puffy between the eyelid crease and the eyebrow - so that part of the skin is puffed up over my eyelid. It's not dry or flaky but I assume it's another manifestation of the eczema I seem to have developed this year.

I've used hydrocortisone cream on it and hope it goes down. I have the sort of face that looks grumpy in repose all the time and now I look really bad tempered!!

Has anyone had anything similar?

Take care - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: skygirl on August 11, 2011, 11:37:42 AM
Is your eyelid puffly?
I do have blepharitis, and seems my melbomiam glands get clogged or something and that can give you the puffy look... But my ophalmologist gave me a steroid cream that I can use on the eyelid if that happenbs, because there wouldn't be a problem if that got in to the eye...However I don't know aobut hydrocortizone , it wouldn't be good if that got inside your eye.  I also have dermatitis seborrheic if that is what you would call eczema, that sometimes you get red , flaky skin patches on your face when it flares...but I wouldn't use the creams for the face near the eye.
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: jmkboyer on August 11, 2011, 09:03:21 PM
This is exactly where my very first eczema experience showed up.  It was angry red between my eyebrow and the top of my eyelid.  It was a little puffy at first.  The dermatologist gave me the same type of cream.  I don't use it as much as she suggested, only when I have a flare.  It takes a couple days to get rid of it.  About 6 weeks after it showed up on the first eye, it showed up on the other.  Same thing.  Gotta love autoimmune diseases.
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: mshistory on August 12, 2011, 05:18:02 AM
I have two daughters with eczema. When my younger daughter was an infant, her eyelids itched her the most, and the poor thing would rub at her eyes until they turned puffy. Dermatologists generally recommend that we don't use steroids around the eyes because of the risk of glaucoma or cataracts, but an over the counter cream like 1% hydrocortisone is probably ok to use short-term. If it doesn't clear up in a few days though, you might want to ask your doctor about getting a sample or Rx for Protopic - it's non-steroidal (it's a topical calcineurin inhibitor and works far better than Elidel) and is safe to use on the face, even around the eyes. It was the only thing that finally cleared up the eczema on my younger daughter's face when she was a baby.

Also, CeraVe moisturizing cream has been excellent at maintaining healthy skin (we use it twice daily, especially right after a bath when the skin is still damp). Like a lot of us with SS, I have extremely dry, itchy skin (but not eczema) and started using CeraVe after my bath and it's made a HUGE difference in how dry and itchy my skin is. It actually feels like normal skin all day  :)

HTH!
Sharyn
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: Scottietottie on August 12, 2011, 06:59:25 AM
Hi  :)

Thanks for the replies. I've had blepharitis in the past and I don't think I have it right now.

The cream I have is 1% hydrocortisone which I was prescribed by the doc the last time I ended up with puffy skin round my eye. This time it's not dry and flaky but it would maybe have gone that way if I hadn't started using the cream. I know I mustn't use it for long.

I just can't believe I've gone 59 years without eczema and suddenly develop it this year - after a course of Flucloxicillin back in February. When the swelling goes down I'll use some emulsifying ointment on it. I was given it to moisturise and to wash with.

Thanks - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: Daisy1234 on August 12, 2011, 02:03:16 PM
Scottie, sometimes I get the puffy lower and upper eyelids but have not had any experience with Eczema and certainly haven't had the difficulties you've been having to deal with lately.

Just wanted to send you some positive thoughts and encouragement.  I hope you are able to get this darn thing under control soon.  You so deserve a break!!!

Hugs,
Daisy
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: Scottietottie on August 12, 2011, 06:04:24 PM
Hi Daisy  :)

What I've been getting to deal with is just a minor irritation compared with what you are going through. It's really kind of you to respond. Itches are annoying but are not making me ill. I do realise how fortunate I am compared with many in here.

Take cafre - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: Bucky on August 13, 2011, 10:30:06 AM
Scottie,

How is your thyroid?  Some times when I am late taking my thyroid medicine my eyelids become puffy looking.

Just a thought.

Bucky
Title: Re: Eczema again?
Post by: Pegasus47 on August 15, 2011, 06:13:14 PM
I had a skin blister rash break out for the past month.  My dermatologist put me on a non-allergenic diet and I am doing great.  This diet is:

1. No dairy products
2. No eggs
3. No fish or shell fish.
4. Stay away from highly colored vegetables and berries.  Carrots are good.
5. No gluten

My skin is definitely happier - calmer.  I was told we eat too many processed foods, medications which can cause allergy and thus eczema .

Give it a try.   

Pegasus