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Is dry skin above eyelids part of Sjogren's?

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Sjogren's Syndrome
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Posted 3/16/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have fibro, RA and Sjoegrens. I use OTC eyedrops a few times a day. I have noticed that I will get these dry patches of skin above my eyelids, under my eyebrow. The patches are about the size of a dime and are red, flaky, and slighty raised. They seem to only be towards the inner corner of my eyes. I usually sleep on my stomach, and I wonder if my eyes are getting weepy at night and the liquid is seeping out of my eyes and pooling on my inner eyelid. Does anyone seem to have these patches of dry skin on their eyes, is this just a normal part of Sjogrens, and what do you do for it? Thanks!
Posted 3/16/2010 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think that is part of Sjogren's, it seems like maybe a dry skin problem? Have you tried putting a mild facial moisturizer on it? Does it seem warm & inflamed? Does it itch?

Sorry, that's the only idea that comes to mind. I'd tell my doctors about it and see if they can think of something.
Posted 3/16/2010 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood, thanks for the reply. Last week, I think, I scrubbed my face with a washcloth during a shower- including the skin above my eyes- to try and "exfoliate" the skin. I use Oil of Olay sensitive skin bar soap, because I have sensitive skin and that is the only soap that seems to not make my skin feel dry. Boy was that a mistake! I got out of the shower & the skin above my eyes was burning. So I put some lotion on them- another mistake! It was Aveeno, but it was lavender-scented, andI think that scent really bothered my eyes. It burned too, so I bathed my eyelids with water to get the lotion off and then put some non-scented Aveeno lotion on. It seemed to help a little bit.

  I am hesitant to do anything because I know that the skin of your eyelids & around your eyes is very delicate. So I guess I'll have to call the doctor for an appointment!

  

  BTW, I love you Oscar Wilde quote!

Posted 5/3/2010 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
I love Cetaphil products- they are very gentle. Great bargain on them at Costco.
Posted 5/29/2010 5:11 AM (GMT 0)

I have had Fibro & Sjogrens since I was at least 28 and am now 40.  I've also had problems with irritation to my eyelids from time to time along with very dry skin ( face & body).  Sometimes my upper eyelids will get red, flaky, and soar to the touch.  I found that a little Neosporin gently rubbed on them helps very, very much along with no makeup for a couple of days or so.

 **I also have very dry skin around the loser part of my eyes and have tried many department store and drugstore eye treatments/creams.  My dermatologist (who is a great doctor, Washing University School of Med trained and a Barnes Hospital Network doctor) told me many years ago the best thing you can do is to put Vaselline around your eyes when you go to bed.  He said it is also good to put around your mouth to help with the wrinkles that can form there.  If regular Vaselline is to heavy for you, they make a creamy Vaselline in a tube sold in the hand creams that is excellent for daytime use and is also a great hand cream, plus it is much cheaper than the night-time treatments from the department stores.  He also said Aveeno is better than anything you can buy there in the dept stores!

Posted 6/27/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I hope your eyelids are doing better...
Posted 1/28/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have Sjogren's and I started getting these patches about a year and half ago. Just exactly like you're describing. My rheumatologist didn't recognize it but the dermatologist said it was psoriasis. He gave me a mild corticosteroid cream rx to use on it. The patches come and go and I use otc hydrocortisone cream twice a day if it's mild and the rx if that doesn't work. Using a good moisturizer often also helps.

I have wondered if it's a psoriasis that's specific to Sjogren's because I don't have it anywhere but near my eyes.
Posted 2/12/2011 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
 I have Sjogren's and I also have the inflammed eye lids with dry patches! I can't even wear eye shadow anymore! My eye docctor told me to use an otc cortiosone cream on them.(Just watch it doesnt get in the eye)
Posted 3/31/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
i have the same prob with my eyelids, i use petroleum jelly at nite all around my eyes, seems to help
Posted 10/16/2011 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have that same problem! I figured it was because of the Tranquil Eyes goggles that I wear at night, rubbing against my brow bone. Ugh, I hope it isn't psoriatic like another poster mentioned - I'm so tired of having things wrong with me.
Posted 12/17/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have Sjogrens and I get these dry patches on my eyelids as well. I use a tiny spot of cortisone cream and a little dab of olive oil when my eyelids are broke out.
Posted 12/18/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is a part of AI illness. I get dry eyelids when my UC flares up.
Posted 2/3/2012 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new here. I am really shocked to see this thread. I came on hear to ask a question about bloodwork and ran across this thread. I have had this eye problem for several years. I was told that it was seborrheric derma***. I was prescribed licoid lotion. It doesn't really help. In the past I have used Desowen lotion as well. Surprisingly, the only time I have had it completely go away was when I was treated with a course of prednisone for something else! My original question was about labs. I had a positive ANA with a high SSro 242. I was then referred to Rheumy and they reran all tests which came back neg. What should I do from here? They acted like the first test was a fluke? The reason I was originally tested was because, I had to receive iron infusions for having almost no iron! Any input appreciated!!:)

Post Edited (lcjjr) : 2/3/2012 12:31:10 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/3/2012 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Get a good Rheumy Doctor...Maybe get a hand MRI to rule out Seronegative Arthritis,
but keep pushing for answers...you deserve them..and maybe start a
new thread in the RA Forum to get more responses...But if it was me I'd keep pushing it
with the Doctor...Make them listen to you...
Posted 7/11/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
This is an old post I ran across, but I figure I'd throw in my $0.02. I have Crohn's Disease and I always get this dry, scaly skin above the eyelid right before a flare, so in my opinion it's clearly auto-immune related, and not just "dry skin". For me, it's my sign I'm in for some bad times coming soon.
Posted 3/9/2014 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
ohh yes, i see that this is a very old post! but it's very interesting! glad i found it! i am *not* dx with sjogren's (not yet anyway) but I am thought to have it, along with possible other autoimmune diseases (no insurance at the mo)... but i get very dry, flaky patches of skin near my eyes too. i don't get them up near the eyebrows all that much; they're mostly either right on the eyelids themselves or on the outer corners of my eye too. mine aren't itchy, just looks horrible and very very dry.

my eyes themselves itch and bother me like crazy though, just not the dry patches of skin near them. anyway, i have not been able to wear eye make-up for a long long time now because of my eyes. i can't touch anything to them -- i know better than to try!

idolwild, it's interesting what you say about the dry flakes of skin on eyelids + your Crohn's. i have had severe gastrointestinal symptoms for a few years now... which resembles/ and is thought to be IBD. i, too, have these random scaly skin patches near the eyes, only every so often. they come and go, along with my bowel issues. either way, i agree that isn't always just "dry skin" and it may certainly be autoimmune-related for many people.

eden :-)
Posted 3/23/2014 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Although this post is old, I too, am glad I found this post. I have been getting dry flaky patches around my eyes. It started out on my right eyelid, then I noticed a patch right under my right eye. This morning I noticed a patch on my left eyelid. I have crohn's and have heard that issues with your eyes could be related to a flare up but was just curious what I could find on here about it. I haven't had a lot of other "usual" symptoms of a flare up but I have noticed that I have had a lot of body aches lately as well as feeling tired more than usual. Guess a trip to the doctor is in my near future :(
Posted 7/2/2014 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Just to add I'm glad I found this as I found no other reference in the medical literature, but we all seem to have the same thing- I have primary sjongren's & I also have dry red patches on my upper lids under my eyebrows which have only appeared since I had sjogren's symptoms. They may be cased by pressure when I sleep on my side but I never previously had this. I use moisturiser and occasionally hydrocortisone but it seems to have limited effectiveness. I am also trying to take vitamin D & cut out coffee for my other symptoms, which does seen to help a lot..sad about no coffee though! lol
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