dry red sore itchy bumpy under eye skin

[jezabella]

Last year I suddenly developed dry skin on the left eyelid and was prescibed hydrocortisone.  Unfortunately it spreaded to the right eyelid the to the bottom of both eyes.  The hydrocrtisone did not work, instead peeled away a little skin.  I continued wearing make up (mac) as my dark circles are very bad.
I went to see an optician who thought it was bletharitis, but I don't think it was.  And I had an allergy test (machine tested me on 3000 products).  I was told that I was allergic to lanolin (sheep wool fat),dust, basil and squid.  I was also told that my boots sensitive mascara did not agree with me.  I am not aware of ever having used lanolin.  I stopped wearing eye make up and only used vaseline around the eyes.
Approx. 2 months later it suddenly vanished, not sure how?  I had put up with the problem for 11 months, gradually becoming worse.
And now after 2 months of it having gone away, it has returned again. This time it happened much quicker, starting on the right lower eye, then moved to the left.  The right under eye is very red, sore and dry.  It feels so rough to touch.  I have not worn make up today and have only applied vaseline and aqeous cream.

I haven't changed any toileteries or make up in the last 2 months.  I am not sure what it could be?  I don't think it is eczema, but believe it could be an allergic reaction to something.  I can't seem to work out what it could be?  Could it be an allergic reaction to something i am using around the eye or a food product?  Please help me.

Thanks
Jezabella

[Ang217]

OMG!  I think this is a virus of some sort.  I'm the type of person who has basically no allergies.  About 3 weeks ago, my right eyelid started swelling, but at the same time, I had just caught a cold.  I thought it was all related.  Well, the cold went away and I still have a swollen right eyelid and under both eyes they are sore, red, itchy, and scaly.  It looks worse and worse, like I've been punched in both eyes.  The swelling on the right lid has subsided with use of hot water and neosporin, but every morning, it would come back, and after a hot shower, it would go back to normal.  The skin on the lid is dry, but somewhat close to normal.  I have problems under my eyes and the skin is getting worse, dry and causing deep wrinkles.  Concealer to cover the redness only makes me look 10 years older!  If anyone can recommend anything, please let me know.  I'm pretty desperate and can't handle this anymore.  I know it's only been 3 weeks, but it's horrible!!
Thanks....

[ariam79]

Wow! I was so surprised to read everyone's comments. I too have been experiencing very dry, scaly skin underneath my eyes and also on other parts of my body. Now recently my 1 year old daughter has began to develop the same thing. What concerns me is that Lupus is common with the women on my mom's side of the family including my sister and her syptoms began with this rash. It might not be the same for all of you but one characteristic sypmtom of lupus is a malar rash which can be red or scaly dry skin on the upper part of your face and over the bridge of your nose. Of course it can be on other parts of your body too but this type of rash is common with lupus. I have been procrastinating on going in for a while but now that my daughter is experiencing symptoms I am going to have to make it a priority.

[Mara49]

I am in the same boat. My eyes started having these symptoms in conjunction with a cold. However the eye problem has continued for the last three weeks. First it was my left eye now it is both. It started as a little irritation, like a bite and it was raw and it cracked and it was sore. Then the whole area got really scaly, dry, red, wrinkled and sore. Then other eye joined in. It looks horrid. Makeup makes it looks worse as it settles in the wrinkles, redness. I have not gone to the Dr. as I am sure she won't have any idea. Will go to my naturopath first. Any more info from anyone would be greatly appreciated. This is really really bad.

[Paula965]

I have also had this problem although it usually only effects one eye.  I get dry, red, and itchy under my left eye with some swelling on the eyelid.  A couple of days ago I woke up with a "welt" looking thing under my eye which was a new treat.  I managed to figure out one thing that I know was causing the problem when it first started which was found in the indoor tanning cream I was using and is called "dihydroxyacetone".  This never failed to cause a big reaction in my eyes with such swollen eyelids, red itchy under my eyes and prominate wrinkles that I would not ordinarilly have.  I quit using anything with that ingredient in it but have started having a reaction again.  I'm guessing it might be a new liquid eye liner I'm using so, I'm eliminating that for a while to see if that helps.  I also notice this is more severe when I first wake up and somewhat diminishes throughout the day.  I appreaciate all of the posts here as I have also been looking for a definate cure but haven't been successful at finding one.  I thought since I knew that the dihydroxyacetone was a sure culprit for me, I would post to help someon else.  If anyone finds a sure cure, please post it.  Thanks.

[Allvirago]

Does all this scare anyone?  I mean there seems to be a whole lot of us with this same symptom and no one knows what is causing it or how to ease it...

I think I agree with an earlier blogger that it seems to behavior more like a virus.

It is so odd how it appears under the eyes, dry, itchy.  I have been going through a divorce and I thought I was crying too much, then rubbing too hard, then maybe it was my makeup or my soap or my shampoo, I have been trying everything, cold compresses, aloe, vaseline, ice packs...

thi morning I woke up to the worst of it...my under eyes are puffy and swollen....what do we all have in common?

Maybe we should start listing our diets, our habits, perhaps we can narrow down the source in order to find a solution.

Thank you for everyone's honesty and this forum.  I was about to go to the doctors but I don't want to throw more good money at this problem...I want to find a real solution

[jezabella]

Hi,  I cured myself.  I found out that I was allergic to the mac foundation.  I put up with this problem for over a year.  Docs thought it was bletharitis, and eczema.  I rang sick from work on thurs, removed all from my face and only used vaseline.  You have to be patient as it will take at least 5 days to begin to clear up.  Believe me you should take my advice.  I do not want anyone to go through what I had to.  I went back to work on the Monday.  The eyes were still dry and red... but a lot better than what they looked like on Thurs.  Please feel free to contact me, ***@****.  My eyes have been fine ever since.  The problem is you all could be using something which you are allergic to and not know it.  Also you can develop an allergy anytime, even after using the a product for years, suddenly you could be allergic.  Good luck.