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What Causes Recurrent Redness And Swelling On Eyelid?

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Posted on Mon, 18 May 2015
Question: I got stung on my right eyelid last October, now it's the end of April and I am repeatedly having the same redness and swelling occur in that same place, then it heals up and the next time I'm at work (I have a very physical job) and my blood pressure gets high and my pulse is high and probably my body temperature is high, I will then notice the skin of my eyelid and surrounding skin tissue begin to swell, get itchy and red all over again. Each time this happens I take ibuprofen and cover the skin with neosporin (no pain) and in a couple of days it heals, then the cycle repeats itself. At the same time, I have developed (what I believe to be ) is an allergy to a chemical that's in cardboard. On my job I used to get repeatedly scraped on the forearms by the rough edges of thick cardboard boxes. According to what I've read on the Internet that's how it develops. Now I'm to the point where I have to where socks with the toes cut out of them on my arms in order to protect my skin, otherwise, if I get even a small scrape with the cardboard, my entire forearm area gets inflamed, red and itchy. I can't help but wonder if these two circumstances are related. I have put in a transfer to a new job at my company but they're having trouble finding a replacement for me and it could be several more months before I can get away from the cardboard, unless I get something in writing from a doctor stating that I cannot work around cardboard, in which case they would immediately transfer me to my new job. My question to you is twofold: 1. what is going on with my eyelid skin and 2. if I go to a rapid response, will they likely give me something in writing stating that I cannot work around cardboard (I have already contacted two allergists and they both say that they cannot treat or diagnose a cardboard allergy.)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It seems like allergic blepharitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic

I reviewed your history.
The eye condition appears to be like allergic blepharitis.
This requires treatment by the use of antiallergic drugs.
I prefer to use drugs like olopatadine.
Steroid creams are required for local application in severe cases.

If possible do send me a photo of the affected eye so that I confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly.

Regarding diagnosing cardboard allergy or allergy to any of the chemicals can be diagnosed by patch test. Hence you need to consult good allergy clinic's.



Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
I just uploaded a photo of my eye in the inflamed state. I read about allergic blepharitis and the only thing that doesn't sound like my condition is that the eye itself does not feel itchy at all. The irritation is all on the skin surrounding the eye, just like it was when I got stung by a bee.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It shows eczema involving the eyelids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed the photo attached with the question.
The photo shows localized eczema of face involving the eye lid.
This condition mostly occurs on contact with allergen.

The treatment is by use of antiallergic eye drops as I had mentioned and by antiallergic skin ointments.
The antiallergic skin creams need to prescribed by dermatologist.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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What Causes Recurrent Redness And Swelling On Eyelid?

Brief Answer: It seems like allergic blepharitis. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care magic I reviewed your history. The eye condition appears to be like allergic blepharitis. This requires treatment by the use of antiallergic drugs. I prefer to use drugs like olopatadine. Steroid creams are required for local application in severe cases. If possible do send me a photo of the affected eye so that I confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly. Regarding diagnosing cardboard allergy or allergy to any of the chemicals can be diagnosed by patch test. Hence you need to consult good allergy clinic's. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Do write back to me for further questions. Thank you With regards