ask: Swollen and puffy eyelids in the morning and then get flaky, red and sore during the day...

Hi Carol

Many thanks for your question!

I was thinking allergies too, when you listed all your symptoms, as my husband suffers the very same thing and it is, in fact, an allergic reaction. Have you been tested for allergies?

It may be a reaction to something you eat - or to an environmental factor that you haven't considered yet. It could also be your bedding or your laundry detergent.

Has anything changed with you in the last few months? Are you eating differently or using different products?

It could actually be a thyroid issue or even a kidney issue too.

But it sounds to be that it could be something like blepharitis - this is an inflammation of the eyelid. It is a very common eye disease that affects the edge of the eyelids and eyelash hair follicles. There are three main types of blepharitis:

Seborrheic blepharitis —Skin cells shed more rapidly than normal due to a sebaceous gland that is not functioning properly. The sebaceous gland secretes oil to the skin. The presence of excess oil and skin cells help bacteria grow.

Infectious blepharitis —Bacteria, in particular, staphylococcus, cause an infection in the glands along the eyelid.

Contact dermatitis blepharitis —
Something coming in contact with the eyelid leads to local inflammation. For example, mascara may produce such an allergic reaction.

Here are some of the symptoms which sound very familiar to you, I am sure!

Symptoms depend on the cause of the blepharitis. They are usually worse in the morning and involve both eyes.

Symptoms may include:

◦Redness, flaky skin, and oily secretions along the edge of the eyelid
◦Crusty material clinging to the eyelashes
◦Eyelids “glued together” in the morning
◦Dry scales or dandruff-type material on the scalp and eyebrows
◦Itching or burning sensation
◦Tearing
◦Light sensitivity
◦Sensation of a foreign object in the eye
◦Ulcers or sores at the base of the eyelashes (in severe cases)
◦Scant, broken eyelashes
◦Chalazions (nonpainful bumps in the eyelid), which may become infected (called a stye)
◦Conjunctivitis (occasionally)
http://www.empowher.com/condition/blepharitis

So this is a definite possibility you should look into, at least. What do you think?

Can you get a referral to see an eye specialist, rather than a general practitioner?

Drumweaver,
Sound like you received some great suggestions. I also wanted to add that seasonal allergies can occur year-round (unfortunately!). Every season has specific allergens, depending on your location, but the primary categories are weeds, grasses, trees and molds, as well as household allergens including dust mites and pets.

I experience seasonal allergies year-round, and November-January are the worst times for me; seasonal allergies can also become worse over time. Another option for you is to visit an Allergist, and get an allergy test. If you have severe allergies to certain allergens, you have many options for treatment.

I had this for 2 years. Someday I looked so bad, I felt I could not go anywhere. It started going down the side of my nose also. I went to a couple of dermatologist and they only gave me a steroid cream to get rid of it. I tried every kind of eye cream and threw away all of my make-up and my make-up brushes. Finally I had a food allergy test and I found out I was allergic to wheat and dairy. It took 3 months to clean my system, but my eyes are find and all of the puffiness is gone. If I cheat too much, I will wake up with puffy eyes. The flakiness on the eye lid can be the red dye in your eye shadow. I finally figured that out years ago. I can only wear MAC and Laura Mercier eye shadow. Any brands I try, I keep the packaging because I return a lot of make-up. Try first your eye shadow and clean all of your brushes or start over. Then eat no wheat items, read labels, you will be shocked. Soy Sauce is a big one that no one knows has wheat. Chinese food, sushi and asian food, puffs me up right away. You might want to do the blood test that gives you all of the items you are allergic too. I had 36 food items and it has been difficult, but I look alot better.
I personally don't think you are allergic to seasonal allergies. This started effecting me when I was 45 and they say it is something that changes with our age and hormones, we might grow out of it when we are 55.

Im 45 years old, my eyelids have been very dry in the crease and sometimes quite swollen as well. This is not so pretty, and I feel like you Jinger, I dont want to go out! Its been off and on for a few months but for the past few days its been quite uncomfortable. Its making my eyes feel so tired! Im wondering if it could be alleviated simply be drinking more water for hydration. I dont wear glasses..maybe its time for an eye exam as well!

also forgot something important about the red, swollen eyes. This happened to me 7-8 years ago. I had it bad for 4 months and through away all my makeup and brushes before going to the dermatolagist. He took one look at me and said stop using red nail polish and walked out the door. Now I can't even wear any colors or anything we an orange-red pigment. So I wear light pinks or french manicure. I can tell in one day if I have on something I am allergic to now. Hope that helps.

I appreciate all your comments and help, thank you...

Here's an update from me since i posted this question.....

On the recommendation of a good friend, I eventually went to a TCM - a Tradititional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist and he told me that the reason my eyelids were so puffy was because i was having a reaction to the sudden dry weather last summer - where i live... we normally don't have very warm summers.. and so, he went on to say that becuz of the immense dry heat - my body was having a reaction to one of the five elements, that being the "wind".. and it was affecting my liver.

He went on to say that when the liver is affected, it will affect the eyes and eyelids... what he said was happening in my case was that i had way "too much heat" in my system and the fire was rising up to my head too high... when he looked at my feet, he laughed saying there were "too white"... confirming to him that the fire within me was way too high...

and so, he treated me to lower the fire within me - with acupuncture and herbs... after the first treatment i started to feel better and the eyelid swelling started go down some.. but after about a week, it all flared up again - even worse!... He also told me to stop eating any fire foods.. like spices, cayenne, garlic, etc.... and drink eat cooling foods.. like peppermint tea, cucumbers, etc...

I went for another treatment, coming home with more herbs and after about another 2 weeks, the swelling finally stopped and looked normal again..

I also am sensitive to wheat and dairy.. and i believe that when i eat any dairy or wheat, particularly together, at night, my eyelids will swell.. and so, i am trying to eliminate all wheat and dairy from my diet. Getting through christmas was challenging, but am back on trying again... I definitely feel better overall when i don't eat wheat and dairy..

I thank you all again for your repiles and assistance and still welcome anyone else's experience with the same stuff.... Happy New Year!

Sincerely, carol :o)