Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Rashes Under Eyes
Question: my daughter is 20 years old. she has had a dermatitis type rash under her eyes that is not going away. She has used a topical prescription called, Erythromycin (ophthalmic ointment usp 0.5%). two weeks ago she had a steroid injection, that was the March 31st. she is still having issues with her rash. what can this be? Should she go back in for another steroid injection?
Brief Answer:
Irritative dermatitis or bacterial infection. Avoid the possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
Can you provide a photo of that skin area, so I have an idea of how it looks?
From the information you have written me, looks like the doctors have evaluated as a allergic dermatitis(since he has prescribed steroids), and also treating it as a bacterial infection (the erythromycin is an antibiotic). Could you be able to notice if the cream has made it better, or if it reacted from the steroid injection? Regarding to that we can have an idea what might have been the cause of it.
My thoughts are, that in general that area is very difficult to be a bacterial infection, so might be most probably an irritative dermatitis...something is irritating your daughters skin (a cream she has been used, the sun, glasses- if she is using and they have contact with the skin). So if any cause, that should be avoided. Then the skin would need some time to heal by itself.
The steroid injection might help it if it is red, inflamed, and most important depending on the looks of it.
Hope this is helpful.
Kindly provide me with the extra information needed, and I will be happy to clarify further.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Irritative dermatitis or bacterial infection. Avoid the possible cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
Can you provide a photo of that skin area, so I have an idea of how it looks?
From the information you have written me, looks like the doctors have evaluated as a allergic dermatitis(since he has prescribed steroids), and also treating it as a bacterial infection (the erythromycin is an antibiotic). Could you be able to notice if the cream has made it better, or if it reacted from the steroid injection? Regarding to that we can have an idea what might have been the cause of it.
My thoughts are, that in general that area is very difficult to be a bacterial infection, so might be most probably an irritative dermatitis...something is irritating your daughters skin (a cream she has been used, the sun, glasses- if she is using and they have contact with the skin). So if any cause, that should be avoided. Then the skin would need some time to heal by itself.
The steroid injection might help it if it is red, inflamed, and most important depending on the looks of it.
Hope this is helpful.
Kindly provide me with the extra information needed, and I will be happy to clarify further.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
she looks like she has two black eyes only they are redish pink in color. the steroid shot helped two weeks ago but the skin is dry and bumpy. she has not put any make-up or anything on them but the topical prescription and now the petrolium jelly. she put her concealer in the garbage as she had it for about a year. she has agreed to get new concealer every 3 months now. She is pretty sure that is what caused it. I will let her know about the sunglasses, though.
the antibiotic did not help it, but the steroid injection did. She said she just used the ointment or cream to keep them from being irritated and dry, but she did finish the tube and started using the petrolium jelly yesterday.
the antibiotic did not help it, but the steroid injection did. She said she just used the ointment or cream to keep them from being irritated and dry, but she did finish the tube and started using the petrolium jelly yesterday.
Brief Answer:
Use a cream that does not irritate that skin area
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
It looks like it may be an irritative dermatitis, since the steroid helped.
I don't think she will need another steroid injection, if the area there is not red and swollen.
Using a cream might be helpful to keep the skin soft and hydrating. Not sure though if the petroleum jelly is adaptable for the skin around the eyes, as it is a very delicate skin. There are moisturizing creams which have the right components, no additives, no color or smell and non allergic, over the counter that she may try using with better results.
Most important though, is to avoid everything that may irritate the area until it heals completely.
Take care.
If you don't have anymore questions, please close the question and rate it.
Dr. Papaqako
Use a cream that does not irritate that skin area
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
It looks like it may be an irritative dermatitis, since the steroid helped.
I don't think she will need another steroid injection, if the area there is not red and swollen.
Using a cream might be helpful to keep the skin soft and hydrating. Not sure though if the petroleum jelly is adaptable for the skin around the eyes, as it is a very delicate skin. There are moisturizing creams which have the right components, no additives, no color or smell and non allergic, over the counter that she may try using with better results.
Most important though, is to avoid everything that may irritate the area until it heals completely.
Take care.
If you don't have anymore questions, please close the question and rate it.
Dr. Papaqako
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. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
