Can't some of you Doctors or Dermatologists find an answer

[CobraGolf]

I'll try and keep this short... I am a 45 YO male originally from the New England area and have never had this problem in my life.  I moved down to the Greenville, South Carolina area approximately 2 1/2 years ago and in the fall ( Oct - Sept. ) to be more specific, have been experiencing extreme itchy eye lids.  Unfortunately I don't have any better will power than anyone else on this forum and tend to rub and scratch.  I am intelligent enough to know that the extreme swelling the next morning is directly connected to the amount of rubbing and scratching that I do.  Now for you "Doctors" out there.  here are some hints to help us all along.

I am a golfer,  I play once a week every Thur. and have noticed that it is always toward the weekends that this issue crops up. Almost always starts up on Fri.

I recently went on a trip to Germany for three weeks. The weekend prior to leaving was one of the worst cases of this itchy eyelid I have ever experienced.  I played golf every weekend while in Germany and never experienced a single symptom while there.  My eyes were not itchy, the redness and swelling subsided a few days after arriving and never an issue the whole time I was there.

I returned last weekend and couldn't wait to go play golf with the guys on Thur. as I had forgotten all about my itchy eye issue.  Yesterday, I played well, had a great time and then was called in to work to help out with some equipment repairs.  While at work I began to realize how much my eyes were itching and how much I was rubbing them.  Sure enough when I got up this morning my eyes were so swollen that I had to call my boss and tell him I couldn't make it in today.  I even sent him a picture of my swollen eyes so he would believe me.

I also have tried almost everything that all these other sufferers have tried and I too agree with several of them.  The best thing I have found is BLISTEX LIP MEDEX ( Active ingredients w/w: Petrolatum 59%, Camphor 1%, Menthol 1 %, Phenol .5% ).

I too believe as many others believe on this post.  All these symptoms and time frames are related,  Mostly in the fall, outside activities, ( no specific type of people ie: not just older folks but young as well, not just women
but men as well ), not just allergy sufferers but those like myself that never experienced allergies.

Conclusion,  I strongly believe that there is a plant or grass that is most pollen active in this months of Aug - Sept. and that this pollen sticks to the skin especially when sweating.  Many people have mentioned that when the are outside working in the yard and sweating the problem seems to get worse.  I don't pretend to know exactly whats going on and nor do I have any kind of permanent solution ( believe me I wish I did so this would never happen to any of us again ). I am merely expressing my symptoms and observations and the similarities to others.  I know what most Doctors and Dermatologists are going to say ( each case is individual and should be diagnosed by a professional ).  I think there are enough people on here that have wasted there money and time on professional visits and medications that are not working.  I also think there with all of the people that have given their symptoms and how similar the symptoms are, there must be a Doctor or Derm. out there smart enough to figure out exactly what plant and exactly what type of cure for us sufferers.              PLEASE as some one else stated on here    DR. HOUSE  PLEASE HELP.    

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You're welcome JCH MD

[CobraGolf]

Thanks Dr. Hagan,  I will try those medications you suggest and if this doesn't clear up soon I will see an eye Dr. because it does seem to be affecting my vision and life style.
Thanks Again.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

-

[yarrow]

As a longtime allergy sufferer, it sounds to me as though you have developed a pretty severe seasonal allergy to something that grows in the Greenville area, even though you may never have been diagnosed as allergic per se.

I live in an area without any real winter, and the plant life here pollinates (actually goes nuts) all year long.  My allergist maintains a daily pollen count in various parts of the county, and, being something of a botanist, he not only knows what's in season--but the habits of individual plants as well:  For example, one kind of local landscape grass pollinates around 8am during its growth season.  For that reason, he advises his patients who are sensitive to that grass not to go golfing or do outdoor work at that time of day.

Surely there is similar allergist in your region who could advise you?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Allergies are very common when you move to a new area. When I was in the USAF stationed in North Dakota when people came there many had allergies that they had not had before some severe which we called N.D. asthma.

Suggest you try OTC Zaditor, if that not work see an Eye MD and try prescription RX like Pataday or optivar  if that not work then discuss a mild steroid containing drop like Alrex or lotemax.

JCH MD