Can Restasis exacerbate eczema?

[mbw1103]

Hi,

I’ve been using Restasis for about 5 months now. It has worked wonders for my eyes but over the past few months I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting bouts of eczema around my eyes with some frequency. While I’ve had bouts of eczema on and off for several years, it’s usually in other areas and usually not this persistent. I was thinking about it and realized that the areas where I’m getting eczema are also areas that could be exposed to stray Restasis (e.g., interior brow, down the side of my nose). I asked both my dermatologist and my ophthalmologist – neither knew of a connection, but both said it could be possible that the Restasis is exacerbating my eczema. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance,
Melissa

[Scout]

Castor oil is the substance used in Restasis for emulsion. Castor oil is a very interesting substance for people with various forms of dermatitis. If you google “castor oil” and “eczema” you get lots of natural healing and homeopathic sites that recommend castor oil as a natural healing substance for eczema. However, if you google “atopic dermatitis” and “castor oil” you get medical studies and dermatologists’ websites that caution people about castor oil as a trigger for eczema and other forms of dermatitis.

In another thread in this Restasis forum this http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?t=3669 was discussed and I provided several links that explained the potential for castor oil to cause dermatitis.

It appears that for many people castor oil is harmless and causes no inflammatory/allergic reaction. But in a certain percentage of people, the castor oil can cause dermatitis.

You may want to make sure that you have a good antibacterial wipe available to remove any excess that drips from your eyes onto your skin when you are instilling the drops.

But the good news is that Restasis is really helping you. And if you can keep the castor oil from getting on your skin, the problem could be solved.

I hope this helps.

[mbw1103]

Thanks Scout - that's great information that you provided. I tried a search before posting and remember the thread where your original answer was, but must not have read far enough down to find the relevant part.

I've been wiping the problem areas with a regular towel after using Restasis...I'll have to try using an antibacterial wipe. Next time I see my dermatologist and opthomologist I'll let them know in case others have a similar issue.

Melissa