Eye's Cont'd:

[indysteel]

I could be a long shot at this point, but you might try a different OTC allergy drug. Claratin does nothing for me. Instead, I take Allegra every day, regardless of symptoms. I know others that prefer Zyrtec (which knocks me out). I sure hope allergy testing yields some answers.

[tulip]

Does it happen only when you go to that office, or did it happen before you ever went to that office? Do you still have a cleaning lady come to your house? Could it be some product that she is using that was not used before in your house? I would think it would be an external allergy, as opposed to a food allergy, since it's only affecting your eyes and you don't have hives or reactions elsewhere on your body. Sounds really uncomfortable.

[zoom-zoom]

Definitely see an allergist. If you went through testing they could at least rule things out and perhaps find out if it is some sort of allergic reaction.

*says the woman who needs to practice what she preaches*

[limewave]

Other possibilities besides allergies: Psoriasis or Blepharitis. I was actually diagnosed with Blepharitis as a kid . . . I am starting a regime of washing my eyelids with Baby Shampoo. I need some relief!!!! Blepharitis can be irritated by allergens, dust in the air, sweat, etc. Maybe????

[emily_in_nc]

Wow. It surely sounds like something in that office environment -- some kind of chemical allergy, perhaps. I guess stress is a possibility but seems unlikely to me. I have never seen anything like that, and I have allergies to cats that used to cause my eyes to swell shut as a child (much milder now, I just get a little itchy in the eyes). But I never had that kind of redness. So mysterious! Please keep us posted and good luck with this.

[climbergirl]

For what it's worth, Limewave, give the baby shampoo a chance to work.

I had weird swelling and peeling on my eyelid, first one, then both, off and on for over a year. It would come on stronger with stress, stay days to weeks, then disappear. Itchy, red, peeling, swollen, misery.

After doing some research, I determined that old soap can actually grow mold. I'd been using facial scrub that was about 5 years old (they brand discontinued it, so I bought up like ten bottles.) And mold or fungus or bacteria in soap can cause... you guessed it: blepharitis.

I started washing my face and eyelids with J&J baby shampoo daily, and after a couple of weeks it cleared up and hasn't come back for at least 6 months, despite those 6 months being some of the most stressful of my life.

I use the baby shampoo as my only face wash now, and it's actually helped keep zits to a minimum, too, I think. I use a good moisturizer afterwards, but I keep THAT away from my eye area.

Also - I wear NO makeup, EVER. That helped narrow it down for me.

Good luck. I know how miserable you must be!

[limewave]

Update:
I've been washing with baby soap about 4 times a day (first thing in the AM, lunch, afternoon/dinner, and bedtime). Then I apply a bit of Aquaphor to moisturize the skin. I am very cautiously optimistic. The redness and irritation/burning has decreased some but I am still experiencing quite a bit of swelling.

Being exposed to dust and consuming peanuts both seem to increase irritation of the eyes. I have been avoiding both as much as possible. My office space was professionally cleaned since my last visit and there was a noticeable difference in how my eyes reacted. It was much better.

I had to cancel my allergist appointment as it was nerly $2,000 and not covered by insurance I have a dermatologist appointment scheduled, but I'm waiting to find out what the cost estimate is going to be--I may need to cancel that one as well.