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Possible allergy to eye makeup? Red, puffy, itchy eyelids...

This has been going on for years now and it seems to be getting worse.

I have had what seems to be issues with eye makeup, even hypoallergenic brands.  My eyelids (usually my right is the worst) will get what looks like flesh colored bumps on it, and then it will begin to burn on top of my eyelid.  Putting Aquaphor on it helps.  Usually though, within a few hours (especially overnight), my eyelid(s) will completely swell up to where I can almost not see.  This happened again last night.  My right eyelid is considerbly worse than my left one, and they are both very red, swollen and itchy.  My actual eye has no problems, but it feels like it's burning.

I used to work in a dermatology office and the doctor there said that putting Protopic on it would help it and make it go away, but it doesn't.  I need some sort of relief and changing eye makeup doesn't seem to help at all.  :(
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Avatar universal
I have been reading all these responses and no one has made the gut connection. I believe these to be reactions caused by glyphosate poisoning in the majority of our foods.  ....especially wheat products (which is in everything from bread, crackers, pasta, seasonings, etc...). My research led me to find that they spray the glyphosate on the wheat the WEEK BEFORE harvesting.....basically a slow kill to us.  They even spray this stuff on our produce.  When this problem initially occurred with my eyelids, the only change in my life was I had switched to wheat bread for my daily sandwiches.  It is not an immediate response, it takes several days before the eyelid itching and inflammation and then crusting and flaking and lasts about 2 weeks as long as I do not eat a food that has pesticides in / on it.  
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1 Comments
As I said on your other post "That's pretty far out there as a theory"  
Avatar universal
Hi I suffered with this for years and finally had patch testing done to find out I am allergic to a common preservative called Kathon/MI, methylisothizoline (and many other names) It was in my face cream and some of my make up, as well as in my dish soap. Many people are sensitive to this and it is found in SO many products.
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3 Comments
thanks for the information
How did you get tested? Was it a dermatologist or optometrist that ordered the testing and what tests did they run? I've just become allergic to something and I'd love to know what it is I'm allergic to.
Either a dermatologist or an allergist. Skin testing is necessary.
Avatar universal
I've got same problem with red swollen lids. IDK if it;s shadows or drinking chardonnay at night. I wake up with red swollen lids. I tried no shadow for few days, didn;t change the lids. I'm wondering if it's the alcohol? I';ve tried all kinds of mineral loose powders that are chem free, but still have the problem. Any ideas about the wine being the culprit?
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1 Comments
It only occurs with drinking wine and it does not occur if you don't drink wine and you've done that several times then the wine would be clearly implicated
177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
I am 50...this started at the age of 20!  Dealing with it for years!
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Avatar universal
Ive been having this problem for years with eye lids and lips.  I have only been able to use one shade in the Lancome line and it was discontinued 3 years ago, I bought up every one I could find and I only have one left.  I have tried at least 50 different other brands and they all kill my eyes!  I am so upset as I am running out of options.  Its not the brand, its the ingredients of the specific color and almost impossible to get ingredients list for everything in them.  
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
This is almost identical to me.  At first I thought it was a reaction to alcohol, but researching further, it MAY have something to do with purple shades of eyeshadow, because of an ingredient called 'carmine'.  I just found this out today, so I'll test the theory and stop using what I was.  It was something new that I bought.  I wouldn't wear it daily, so  it's hard to pinpoint.  But then I wore it on Halloween, and then next morning I looked ridiculous.  Then again yesterday ... same.  I really hope this is the answer.  Good luck!
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177275 tn?1511755244
If you don't hear back you might leave a note for her
JCH MD
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Avatar universal
Hi! I have the same exact problem! It's been over a month that I haven't put on any eyeshadow. When I put on makeup I put on eyelashes and glue anS primer and eyeshadow. Was wondering what did you do? And what eyeshadow you use now. Please respond back to me.
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Avatar universal
Yes!  I see that you posted in 2009.  Did you find out anything that helped because i'm doing the exact same thing!!  Everything is the same as i've always used, but now I have allergic dermatitis?  It doesn't make sense!
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Avatar universal
Yes!  I see that you posted in 2009.  Did you find out anything that helped because i'm doing the exact same thing!!  Everything is the same as i've always used, but now I have allergic dermatitis?  It doesn't make sense!
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757137 tn?1347196453
If you stop wearing any eye makeup for a while at least you will know for sure if it is the makeup that is causing the problem.
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Avatar universal
I had the exact same problem as the last poster, and I went to a website I saw recommended by a poster on another thread--cosmeticsdatabase.com.  (This site rates cosmetics/body care products on a scale of 0-10, with the scale referring to the product's chances of causing an allergic reaction.  I found some eyeshadows that were rated 0, and I tried them, and they worked great for me.  The shadows (they also sell other ultra-hypoallergenic make-up and skin care products) not only didn't cause my eyelids to react, they actually seemed to help with the final stages of healing.  (I didn't put the shadows on until my eyes were done swelling and peeling and back to normal except for some residual pinkness.  Anyway, the website that sells these products is coastalclassiccreations.com.  The shadows are loose and take some practice to apply, but for me it was worth having to re-learn a skill--at least I can wear eye shadow again!  (I have no affiliation/financial interest in these products--I'm simply a very satisfied consumer.)  I hope this helps someone...
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Avatar universal
I also have been dealing with swollen, itchy, cracked eyelids on and off for about 3 years.

The problem first occured a few years ago randomly. I had gone a couple weeks without wearing eyeshadow and when I wore it again, I got the symptoms described above. I thought I may be allergic to my eyeshadow or that it somehow got bacteria on it, so I threw it out and purchased new eyeshadow. Same thing happened. I switched brands to a hypoallergenic one and again, swollen, itchy and cracked eyelids. I thew out my old eyeshadow applicators and brushes and bought new ones. Still happened!

I thought maybe it was my eyeliner or foundation or mascara. But after I went a few days just wearing those three (both by themselves and together), I was fine so long as I didn't wear eyeshadow. I thought maybe it was my nail polish. But even when I wear my nail polish I'm okay. My eyelid problem seems to only happen when I wear any eyeshadow. I've worn eyeshadow since my teens, so how is it that I'm all of a sudden allergic to any and all eyeshadow???

I went to 2 dermatologists and both gave me a prescription for a light hydrocortizone and both thought it was "something" I'm doing or touching that is causing this to happen. Real specific... I know. But I haven't switched cleansers, shampoos or products that would introduce a new chemical reaction on my eyelids. I'm using all the same stuff I have been well before I started experiencing this problem.

I thought maybe it's blepharitis and i've been doing the home cleansing w/ baby shampoo. But it doesn't seem to be helping when I wear eyeshadow.

Anyone else having similar issues?
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Avatar universal
I to had this problem with make up and other things.  The only kind I am able to wear is Merle Norman.  I'd gladly pay $100.00 for eye shadow.
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668969 tn?1227320803
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This sounds like contact dermatitis.

Stop using all make-up or creams anywhere on the body and use 1% hydrocortisone over the counter about 3 times a day (I like the cream much better than the ointment).

Then the hard part to figure out what you are allergic to. You might wish to get skin tested by a dermatologist or just eliminate anything touching your body anywhere (chemically) and stop hand creams, nail polish, fragrances, dust, newsprint, complex soaps or detergents, etc. (use neutrogena soap and ivory or dreft detergent only). Then add on one item at a time every few days and see what incites this reaction. Some people are helped by increasing magnesium intake after about a week of taking full strength magnesium supplement over the counter.
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Avatar universal
Here are pictures of my eyes from this morning.  The swelling has gone down slightly.  The wet stuff is Aquaphor.

http://i39.tinypic.com/nnl54k.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/5cnmtl.jpg
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177275 tn?1511755244
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