Dry, Sore Eyelids

[Baby_Sham]

Sorry for the repeated 'skin questions', but I just wondered if anyone know what this may be caused by.

I've had dry, sore eyelids for the past month or so.
It's off an on, but today they seem quite bad.
I've not changed anything with regards to face cream or make-up, and it happens when I've not even got anything on my skin, like now.
They are very pink, and itchy. I try not to rub them, but when I just did, the skin feels wet, so I assume the skin is broken.

I did ask a "pharmacist" in Tesco's (I'm sure she was a checkout assistant) and she just there was nothing I could put on it as the eye area was so delicate.

There must be something...?

[Baby_Sham]

Oh, and I was going to ask the doctor when I take my daughter this afternoon, but the receptionist told me this wasn't allowed and I'd have to make a separate appointment - but they were all taken.

[boxtops]

I get anti-allergy drops either from the chemist or on prescription from the GP in the summer. I suffer dreadfully with dry eyes - my eyelids stick to my eye occasionally :-( You can get drops at the chemist for dry eyes.

Go back to Tesco or any other pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist, they'll be happy to advise.

[Baby_Sham]

I don't mean to sound really stupid here, but wouldn't eye drops treat the eyes themselves, and not the eye lids?
I've got some drops in the bathroom, so if you think that would help then I'll use them.
It's the actual lid though, it's all pink and sore :-/

[anneasquith]

wash dry , e45,

[Sqad]

Well, .....Tesco's eh?

Now the eyelids do sound allergic in origin and the pink itchy eyes would support that diagnosis.

Opticrom eyed drops are available over the counter and so is hydrocortisone cr 1%.

I would smear the cream on the eyelids, making sure that none goes into the eye and use the Opticrom as directed.

[boxtops]

Oh I see - sorry, I thought the dry eyelids were on the inside, not the outside of the lid :-)

Still see the pharmacist, it won't cost you anything to get some advice from someone who's well up to speed on suitable products which might help.

[boxtops]

Opticrom - that's what I have from the GP, sqad - great stuff :-)

[pixie373]

I agree with sqad. Hydrocortisone will say not to use on your face, but a very thin layer will probably help it quickly.

[Baby_Sham]

I suggested E45 to the woman in Tesco, but she said it had a certain ingredient (can't remember what) that could make it worse.

Haha yes, Tesco. It was a spur of the moment thing :D

I'll get some Opticrom from the chemist later then. Thanks very much to all of you :-)

[mosesg]

If it is itchy beside the eyelashes itcould be blepharitis. If it is Iwas told by a pharmasist to bathe the eyelid with a solution of tepid water with some baby shampoo in it

[guilliebrougues]

you could use tepid water and baby shampoo in an eye bath. Then use a cotton bud on the eye lashes. Most people have have small particles of dandruff when they comb the hair ands it falls onto the eyelashes. This causes Blepharitis.

[atalanta]

I had something like this on and off for months. The doctor prescribed a replacement for soap called Dermol, and I have been clear ever since I started using it.

[ubasses]

Iif you decide to use the hydrocortisone 1% don't tell the pharmacist what it is for. They are not licenced to sell it over the counter for the face, and will refuse to let you have it without prescription. Found this out the hard way, and I find it the only thing that works for me.

[LazyGun]

I have used this stuff before for dry eyes, and it worked pretty well - but it is quite expensive, so I would not recommend it as a long term solution;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optrex-Actimist-2in1-Irritated-Spray/dp/B001HRYCFE

[Baby_Sham]

I went with the Opticrom eye drops, but didn't have the cream as it panicked me when I read that it's not to be used on the face.
Whilst I trust your judgement, I would worry once I'd put it on that something bad would happen.
The drops have worked well. The itchiness has gone, but they're still pink.

LazyGun, that spray looks ideal. It is expensive, but then I don't get it all the time, it's off and on, so I think it would be well suited. Many thanks :-)