Itchy eye rash sebopsoriasis

[Lisa]

Hi, I have been suffering with a painful itchy rash on my eyelids, corners of my eyes, and my upper cheekbones for about a year.  I have tried eliminating skin care products, detergents, moisturizers, almost everything over the last year and nothing seems to help. I even modified my diet, but that does not seem to matter either. The only way I can keep it under control is to use an OTC steroid cream.  I use it around my eyes about 4-5 nights a week.  I do not like using steroids on my face, but I feel it is the only thing that keeps it at bay.  I have been to two dermatologists and an allergist.  I had the "thin layer rapid use epicutaneous patch test" back patch test and all 36 items were negative.  They have called it sebopsoriasis, so now I am learning about this problem.  My sister has had similar problems for about 40 years and she only uses OTC Cetaphil.  I started using this recently and it helps somewhat, but not entirely. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Fred]

Hello Lisa   to Psoriasis Club.

You definitely should not be using steroid cram on your face especially near the eyes.  

I don't know much about sebopsoriasis myself but your dermatologist should know what to treat it with so I would ask their advice.

Failing that you could try a good virgin Coconut Oil.

Regards.

Fred.

*I'll move this to Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis Topics as it may get you more answers there. You are welcome to start another thread in introductions if you wish.

Regards.

Fred.

[jiml]

Yes I agree be very careful....your eyes are very delicate organs ...and steroids should be avoided around them

Welcome to the club by the way, a good dermatologist should be able to find something less dangerous to use, sebopsoriasis I think that it just means that the rash affects greasy parts of the skin like face and scalp...
Do you have psoriasis anywhere else ...the reason I ask is if you have it on your body as well they might treat you with systemic drugs rather than topical creams

[Turnedlight]

My dermatologist told me to use 1% hydrocortisone on my face Fred.. they said there's a big difference between cortisone products and the stronger ones are deffo very bad on your face.

I would say you should always, always get the go ahead from your derm.

However, when I raised concerns about skin thinning and asked how long I could do it, she told me that with 1% I didn't need to worry.. this was not on my actual eyelid but it was very close, I was told to use a cotton bud to apply accurately. So it's not impossible your derm might have the same opinion.

If you are doing it on your eyelids long term though, I would think they would be concerned about that.

Apart from that I can only suggest something greasy, like the coconut oil.

[Fred]

My dermatologist told me to use 1% hydrocortisone on my face Fred.. they said there's a big difference between cortisone products and the stronger ones are deffo very bad on your face.

That is a good point TL. But I'm of the opinion that people can get carried away and overuse especially if you are buying over the counter, yes it a small amount and probably won't cause any harm but I would rather not take the risk and use something else myself.

I'm the same with people using tanning beds or any self treatment, you could get it horribly wrong and regret it later on in life.

But then again I'm happy taking a Bio and some wouldn't go anywhere near one.

[Kat]

I would be hesitant to use an OTC steroid cream on my face and especially around my eyes. But you say you've been to two dermatologist so is that what they recommended? If you're still having problems, I think I would go back to one of them and tell them it isn't working and see if they can help you out.

You might also consider an eye doctor if it persists. You can get "lid scrubs" from a pharmacy. It's a moistened tissue that helps unclog pores (which could easily get clogged if you're having a rash/dryness) and warm compresses can also help with that. I recently had an eye appointment and had itchiness which turned out to be clogged pores along my lashline and that's what the doctor recommended. I don't think that will help you long term.... but it may offer some relief.

Welcome!

[Lisa]

Thank you for all the suggestions.  Yes, both of the dermatologists said that the 1% cortisone cream would be ok around my eyes.  HOWEVER, I am uncomfortable with it. I have read about the thinning of the skin and I do not want this.  But it is the ONLY thing I have found so far to calm the rash.  To describe it in more detail:  It is all over my eyelids, the outside corners of my eyes, and just underneath the lower eye.  The top part of my cheekbone is also rashy, but not usually as bad.  It is a raised red rash that is extremely itchy.  It is painful also, like a burning sensation.  It is not flaky.  It is no where else on my body.  I have had it on my neck approximately 5 years ago, and behind my ears, but that has been gone for about a year now.  It is now only on my face.  I have used the steroid on my eyelids for about a year.  I don't think it is environmental because I lived in the cold mountains, and two places in a dry hot valley.  I had it all three places.  I have gone gluten free for 3 months thinking that would help - it didn't...  I'm quite frustrated with Dr's because it just appears as if they are guessing.  So I am all over the internet trying to research it myself.  And to be honest, I am not sure that it really is the sebopsoriasis that I was diagnosed with.  Sorry I sound frustrated... I am.  I am reaching out....

[Fred]

Sorry I sound frustrated... I am.  I am reaching out....

No need to apologise our members will help if they can.  

I don't know much about your health care system but for me in France I would be talking with my dermatologist and asking her to sort it out.

The best advise I could give you would be to stop researching the internet. That may sound odd as we want people to find us here, but the internet is so full of information overload and a huge amount of scammers wanting to empty you bank balance. We will try our best to help but none of us are doctors/dermatologists we are just people like yourself living with psoriasis.

Personally I don't think the diet or gluten thing is going to be the answer, though we do have a natural section if you think it will help: Natural Treatments For Psoriasis Maybe there is something there you would like to try.

I would say slow down with your internet searching. I fully understand your frustration and you could be right when you say it may not be sebopsoriasis, but you have to be so careful not to get sucked in to overload or scams. We are very happy to offer support and advise and should any member want anything investigating we will look into it for you, but to be honest a dermatologist is the way to go.

You have seen two dermatologists, is it possible for you under you health care scheme to see another? If so I would go that way and explain that you are not happy with the diagnoses of the other two.

But what ever happens, don't feel alone we are her to help. We may not have all the answers but we will do our best to support, advise and research on your behalf if needed.  

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful myself but some of our members may have more to offer. And I'm sure Jim will mention it in his next newsletter.

[Lisa]

Thank you.  That brought me to tears.  I do feel alone when it comes to the answers I am not receiving from my doctors.  I completely agree with you about the internet scammers, and I am very cautious.  I do not intend to spend money on any "get well quick" schemes or otherwise.  I would prefer to try home remedies and as natural as possible.  I'm searching the internet mostly for what others have tried in the past.  I am just not finding much for people who have it just on the face.  Thank you again for your kind words and suggestions.  I will check out the area you recommended.

[jiml]

Fred is right no need to apologise, this is a great place to unburden your feelings of frustration ....we have all done it
I can understand you trying to find answers, but a good dermatologist should be able to give an accurate diagnosis and as you have been using a steroid cream for so long on your face he might ...if it is sebopsoriasis offer a short course of one of the oral systemic drugs like acetretin, see Oral Treatments For Psoriasis to treat it as psoriasis, but that is just my opinion.....but as Fred says we are not medically trained here and can only speak from experience and what we have read from other members

Do save your money on home remedies as they are unlikely to do anything apart from cost you money,


I will mention it in the next newsletter and see if it attracts other members attention....if you wish you could sign up for outpr free monthly newsletter to see what members are writing and what's new in the research side of the disease ....you can join by going Groups and clicking on join the group