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

I was so happy to come across this website. I hope the postings on this particular page can help close in on what the cause of my puffy eyelids is.

hi ho anonymous... i feel sooo much better by just NOT eating any bread (i'm a real "toast" lover and yes, have found it hard to give up - but becuz i feel so much better not eating it, that out-weighs wanting it... now that i've turned 50+, eating it really affects me - even more the older i get... and that includes dairy.. but i can still eat goat's milk cheese and sheep's yogurts... they seem okay...

- to start with... actually, when i go right off just bread, i actually lose weight too.. and also feel better.. so, i suggest just start with that...

if you really want or need bread.. you can get some recipes online to make your own non-wheat breads with using other ancient grains, like spelt and buckwheat or rice flours... and some of these alternative breads are becoming more and more available in stores... just keep asking for them if they're not there...

i also eat short grain brown rice and other grains like millet and buckwheat to get some other fiber and grain in my body... i especially like quinoa because it's sooo high in protein - more bang for the buck, so to speak...

hope that helps... and wishing you the best..... carol :o)

I live in a very rural area so my options for alternative treatments is rather limited. Before I moved here three years ago, I had acupuncture once a week.

I've tried applying a thin layer of benedryl cream (helped a little with the itching) and a thin layer of cortisone (big mistake - burned like crazy). I'm not wearing any eye make-up and plan to throw out what I have and buy new. The thing that seems to relieve the symptoms the most is putting a cool wet cloth over my eyes.

Unfortunately, the eye doc isn't open today. Hopefully, if he can treat this, they can get me in right away. He is the only opthamologist for about 50 miles.

I know I would feel better overall if I cut out wheat and dairy. I, too, have a lot of heat in my body. There is one acupuncturist in my area but he doesnt practice TCM - he works with a group of Physical Therapists. Drumweaver - what food products are you eating to take the place of the wheat? That is such a hard item to cut out of the diet.

I would also recommend finding and seeing a good acupuncturist - as that really helped me... plus I'm also taking care of my liver and staying off wheat and dairy as much as possible... I'm presently doing a complete cleanse as well... wishing you the best... weaver (((o)))

Hi - I am dealing with the same thing. I don't really have the "crusty" stuff at the base of my lashes but I do have most of the other symptoms. I can't believe how saggy my upper eyelids are. I, too, feel like I don't want to leave the house. It's like my eyes have aged 15 years in just a few days.

I plan to make a doctor appointment but I'm wondering if I should see my Opthamologist or a dermatologist (I would have to travel a few hours away to see a dermatologist.

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)