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Suggest Treatment For Irritated Eyelids After Using Benzoyl Peroxide
Question: Hi there. I used benzoyl peroxide for a couple of days, then my eyelids became irritated. My upper eyelids became crinkled and puffy, and my lower eyelids became bumpy and scaly. I've used hydrocortisone ointment for one day. I don't feel my eyelids are as dry as how they felt like the first day they became irritated, but the roughness of skin around my eyes do not vanish very much.
May I know how can I better take care of my eyelids from now on. And how long does it take for my eyelids to go back to normal?
May I know how can I better take care of my eyelids from now on. And how long does it take for my eyelids to go back to normal?
Brief Answer:
Use a good moisturizer
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have developed irritation to benzoyl peroxide gel.
It is a quite common side effect and that is the reason you should avoid its application around the eye area where the skin is delicate.
You could continue the application of 1 % hydrocortisone ointment 2-3 times a day.
In addition, apply a good moisturizer like aveeno moisturizer in between the applications of hydrocortisone.
Use a mild soap free cleanser like cetaphil cleansing lotion to wash your face.
Avoid applying benzoyl peroxide around the eye area.
When you restart using on acne lesions, start with a short contact period of 1-2 hours initially and wash it off. You can slowly build up the contact time by 1-2 hours every week.
The irritation should settle down in 3-5 days time.
Hope this helps you.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Use a good moisturizer
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have developed irritation to benzoyl peroxide gel.
It is a quite common side effect and that is the reason you should avoid its application around the eye area where the skin is delicate.
You could continue the application of 1 % hydrocortisone ointment 2-3 times a day.
In addition, apply a good moisturizer like aveeno moisturizer in between the applications of hydrocortisone.
Use a mild soap free cleanser like cetaphil cleansing lotion to wash your face.
Avoid applying benzoyl peroxide around the eye area.
When you restart using on acne lesions, start with a short contact period of 1-2 hours initially and wash it off. You can slowly build up the contact time by 1-2 hours every week.
The irritation should settle down in 3-5 days time.
Hope this helps you.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thanks for your answer above.
Is it that in most cases bumpiness of eyelids would disappear and the eyelids would completely go back to normal if carefully taking care of? No permanent issues?
Are you saying that the irritation settle down in 3-5 days from the day I put on the hydrocortisone ointment or from the day I stopped using Benzoyl Peroxide?
Do you suggest me keep using BP after the irritation settles down? I didn't apply that over my eye area, but I still get irritated eyelids.
"When you restart using on acne lesions, start with a short contact period of 1-2 hours initially and wash it off. You can slowly build up the contact time by 1-2 hours every week." Would you explain more specifically of this instruction?
Is it that in most cases bumpiness of eyelids would disappear and the eyelids would completely go back to normal if carefully taking care of? No permanent issues?
Are you saying that the irritation settle down in 3-5 days from the day I put on the hydrocortisone ointment or from the day I stopped using Benzoyl Peroxide?
Do you suggest me keep using BP after the irritation settles down? I didn't apply that over my eye area, but I still get irritated eyelids.
"When you restart using on acne lesions, start with a short contact period of 1-2 hours initially and wash it off. You can slowly build up the contact time by 1-2 hours every week." Would you explain more specifically of this instruction?
Brief Answer:
Irritation will settle down 3-5 days after starting hydrocortisone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The bumpiness will settle down and your eyelids will return to normal without causing any permanent issues.
The irritation will usually settle down 3-5 days after starting hydrocortisone and moisturizer and not from the day you stopped benzoyl peroxide.
You could continue to use benzoyl peroxide. It can cause irritation on sensitive areas of the face like eyelid area inspite of you not applying directly on those areas. There may be mild subcutaneous absorption or the gel can spread to those areas by rubbing/ while sleeping,etc. Hence, when you restart the medication, use it only for 1- 2 hours. So, if you apply at 6 pm in the evening, wash it off by 7 or 8 pm before you go to bed. Slowly, every week, once your skin gets used to it, you can increase this application period by 1 hour every week.
Also, please use the lowest concentration of benzoyl peroxide to start off with. 2.5% should be fine.
Hope this is clear to you and has answered your queries.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Irritation will settle down 3-5 days after starting hydrocortisone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The bumpiness will settle down and your eyelids will return to normal without causing any permanent issues.
The irritation will usually settle down 3-5 days after starting hydrocortisone and moisturizer and not from the day you stopped benzoyl peroxide.
You could continue to use benzoyl peroxide. It can cause irritation on sensitive areas of the face like eyelid area inspite of you not applying directly on those areas. There may be mild subcutaneous absorption or the gel can spread to those areas by rubbing/ while sleeping,etc. Hence, when you restart the medication, use it only for 1- 2 hours. So, if you apply at 6 pm in the evening, wash it off by 7 or 8 pm before you go to bed. Slowly, every week, once your skin gets used to it, you can increase this application period by 1 hour every week.
Also, please use the lowest concentration of benzoyl peroxide to start off with. 2.5% should be fine.
Hope this is clear to you and has answered your queries.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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