are red eyelids s omething to be worried about with my mgd?

[jenny2008]

my doc suggested i go to a dermatologist for my red eyelids. i told him i burnt them years ago from going to hot with the rice baggy in a compress.. he is still concerned they are red... i just wanted to know if anyone else has burnt their eyelids and they stay red for years??? normal or not?

[MaryVa61]

I would definitely see the dermatologist about it. A dermatologist, though suspiscious it wouldn't show anything, did skin allergy tests on me that were positive. After eliminating the allergens from my home, my eye pain and dryness improved dramatically. And the lids are much less red/purple too. She also told me I have Rosacea, though the primary care doc and optometrist had told me I don't have it.

[sazy123]

Mary I left you a Private message. What hair and hygienic products do you use with and non allergenic? and how long did it take to notice a difference after avoiding the allergens. What chemicals do you avoid?

Thanks muchly

[MaryVa61]

Sorry it took so long for me to get to your message! Much of what I avoid is due to my (now) known hypersensitivities, after testing. It takes 5-7 days of avoiding a chemical allergen to be symptom-free from that.

For household cleaning I mainly am using products from EcoDiscoveries, Shaklee or Seventh Generation, ENJO/Edelweiss Face Cloth (w/no cleanser added) right now. Those first two come in very concentrated amounts that last a very long time. Vanicream's line (online) sounds safe. I don't like "Method" brand.

I avoid:

All BAK (Benzalkonium Chloride), and all other preservatives whenever possible. In some eye meds & OTC products, nasal sprays & gels, cold/allergy/asthma sprays and inhalers, hand sanitizers, etc. Can be in just about any liquid.

Formaldehyde (hard to avoid, especially in fabrics!). There are many synonyms, listed on websites and the T.R.U.E. Test printout from Dr and online.

Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals (such as Quaternium-15, etc.). There are several different such chemicals. Names can be found online.

Fragrance and "******g fragrance".

Cocoa Butter (I'm allergic)

Mica (eye irritant in cosmetics)

It became so difficult to do all that investigating, that to start I had to just find a few safe sources of household and skin/hair-care products and not worry too much about ingredient lists except to check for "fragrance" and Cocoa Butter. And I'm just avoiding anything that can possibly just be dropped from my regiment (cosmetics, etc.).

Fabrics are now biggest problem for me. The chemicals are bonded to the fabrics, especially to cotton, and do not wash out.

Hope that helps.

[sazy123]

Sorry it took so long for me to get to your message! Much of what I avoid is due to my (now) known hypersensitivities, after testing. It takes 5-7 days of avoiding a chemical allergen to be symptom-free from that.

For household cleaning I mainly am using products from EcoDiscoveries, Shaklee or Seventh Generation, ENJO/Edelweiss Face Cloth (w/no cleanser added) right now. Those first two come in very concentrated amounts that last a very long time. Vanicream's line (online) sounds safe. I don't like "Method" brand.

I avoid:

All BAK (Benzalkonium Chloride), and all other preservatives whenever possible. In some eye meds & OTC products, nasal sprays & gels, cold/allergy/asthma sprays and inhalers, hand sanitizers, etc. Can be in just about any liquid.

Formaldehyde (hard to avoid, especially in fabrics!). There are many synonyms, listed on websites and the T.R.U.E. Test printout from Dr and online.

Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals (such as Quaternium-15, etc.). There are several different such chemicals. Names can be found online.

Fragrance and "******g fragrance".

Cocoa Butter (I'm allergic)

Mica (eye irritant in cosmetics)

It became so difficult to do all that investigating, that to start I had to just find a few safe sources of household and skin/hair-care products and not worry too much about ingredient lists except to check for "fragrance" and Cocoa Butter. And I'm just avoiding anything that can possibly just be dropped from my regiment (cosmetics, etc.).

Fabrics are now biggest problem for me. The chemicals are bonded to the fabrics, especially to cotton, and do not wash out.

Hope that helps.

Thanks mary, how much did the test cost? i am moving to the US soon and dont have time to get the free (basic NHS skin patch test). So will have to spend the money in the US to get it.

Ive definately done the avoiding fragrences ( as much as possible due to other people around me!). That included avoiding washing powder, i got different tooth paste, deodrant and shampoos. Not sure if they included that chemical though.

Thats interesting about fabrics i hadnt thought of that- although i wonder how you avoid that- if that is an issue?!!!

[MaryVa61]

I have medical insurance so just had to pay my usual copays for the office visits for the patch testing. Took 3 visits to do it all. Are you sure you can't get the testing before you move? Could save you a lot of money if you're coming to the US with no insurance here. It's possible to self-test but difficult.

The doc gave me a fact sheet on how to avoid formaldehyde, including the best choices for fabrics, but the fabric problem is the biggest since they aren't labeled (in the USA).

Your new products could all contain some form of formaldeyhde, I hate to say. There are so many different names for it. If I went in my local CVS Pharmacy and picked up 30 different bottles of shampoo, my guess is that around 27 would containg formaldehyde in some form. Same with other hair care products. I'm very careful where I get those (and check labels against my allergen list) since they (and fabrics) are the biggest problems for my eyes.

[LaDiva]

Hi Jenny,
I had red eyelids too. They were sore and scaly. The dermatologist gave me some steroid cream to use on the lids for a brief period, and some doxycycline. He said the redness could be either rosacea or an allergic reaction. It took about five days, and the problems are gone. Seems it was probably allergies. I have quit using baby shampoo for scrubs, and went back to the packaged scrubs. Also quit using Azasite, which he said might also be the problem. I use vaseline around my eyes before steaming and expressing, and that helps. I asked the doctor if the vaseline could be a problem, and he said probably not, although there are folks who are allergic to all kinds of things. Fortunately, vaseline is OK for me. It helps keep the skin from totally drying out. Good luck to you.

[jenny2008]

what type of steriod cream did you use and for how long? my derm prescribed some too but i am scared to use it.he wants me to use it for 30 days..my opthamologist said to not use it that long.

[LaDiva]

Hi Jenny,
Hydrocortisone Ointment 2.5% in vaseline and light mineral oil base. The dermatologist didn't say how long, just not too long. Mine cleared up in five days, which seems like not too long. With steroid eye drops, the eye doctor said not to use these for more than two weeks as the steroids can raise your eye pressure. I vaguely remember an eye doctor telling me the same about the ointment a number of years ago. Hope this helps.

PS- Try not to get it in your eyes! It burns.