Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Swollen Itchy Eyelids

IrishHeart

Recommended Posts

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Among the many strange symptoms I have :blink:

I keep having issues with swollen, itchy eyelids (blepharitis) and I read it can be associated with celiac. I soak them, clean them and they go down. but I always feel like I'm in a state of "histamine" response. Again, I am newly diagnosed, so it may just be the gluten still. I first had it occur last year and it turned into a chalazion that required surgical removal. Man, it's always something with this disease.

Does anyone else have this eye issue and does it go away after being gluten-free for a while (hope so!!)

Thanks a bunch,

Ginny

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Among the many strange symptoms I have :blink:

I keep having issues with swollen, itchy eyelids (blepharitis) and I read it can be associated with celiac. I soak them, clean them and they go down. but I always feel like I'm in a state of "histamine" response. Again, I am newly diagnosed, so it may just be the gluten still. I first had it occur last year and it turned into a chalazion that required surgical removal. Man, it's always something with this disease.

Does anyone else have this eye issue and does it go away after being gluten-free for a while (hope so!!)

Thanks a bunch,

Ginny

I also have this problem, have had for years, and it sounds like you too have environmental allergies, on top of Celiac. That's a pretty common pairing. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome, which adds to the reasons my eyes are such a problem at times. Are your eyes very dry? Do you suffer from dry mouth? These are 2 big symptoms of Sjogren's and its one of those autoimmune diseases which is commonly found with Celiac. It will cause the symptoms you are describing.

There are times when mine are fine and times when they are not. Stress, getting a little run down or the environment will trigger an episode of swollen eyelids for me but they aren't that bad all the time. It's more of an allergic reaction, vs. a reaction from just having Celiac. You may find yours do the same. There are anti-histamine eye drops, OTC, which help with the itching and redness....I found them helpful. I also recommend using the artificial tears, frequently, when your eyes bother you. I do not use any OTC allergy meds, other than drops, because having Sjogren's and dry mouth prohibits me using any drugs that will aggravate the dry mouth. You may want to try some Benadryl to see if that helps.

Not everything is magically cured just by going gluten-free but it can most certainly alleviate some of the more aggravating symptoms. It sounds to me like you have allergies, unfortunately! I find them more annoying than having a major intolerance like Celiac.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

I also have this problem, have had for years, and it sounds like you too have environmental allergies, on top of Celiac. That's a pretty common pairing. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome, which adds to the reasons my eyes are such a problem at times. Are your eyes very dry? Do you suffer from dry mouth? These are 2 big symptoms of Sjogren's and its one of those autoimmune diseases which is commonly found with Celiac. It will cause the symptoms you are describing.

There are times when mine are fine and times when they are not. Stress, getting a little run down or the environment will trigger an episode of swollen eyelids for me but they aren't that bad all the time. It's more of an allergic reaction, vs. a reaction from just having Celiac. You may find yours do the same. There are anti-histamine eye drops, OTC, which help with the itching and redness....I found them helpful. I also recommend using the artificial tears, frequently, when your eyes bother you. I do not use any OTC allergy meds, other than drops, because having Sjogren's and dry mouth prohibits me using any drugs that will aggravate the dry mouth. You may want to try some Benadryl to see if that helps.

Not everything is magically cured just by going gluten-free but it can most certainly alleviate some of the more aggravating symptoms. It sounds to me like you have allergies, unfortunately! I find them more annoying than having a major intolerance like Celiac.

Thanks for your reply!

yes, all the "other things" are more aggravating--and hard to figure out--that just the celiac. Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate benedryl. It makes me agitated (strange, I know) I tried other RX antihistamines---absolutely no help. The allergist says I have "no allegies".?really, then what's going on, doctor? LOL

Nope, no dry mouth. My tongue "burns" sometimes. Doctor said he did not know why. (it's not yeast or anything) My eyes are not dry, really...just the eyelids themselves seem to be affected.

I was tested for environmental allergies and for all autoimmune diseases --several times. I was persistent about that All NEG. I look so good "on paper." Yet, I feel like crap.

You raise a good point!

We are running a wood stove right now and even though we have humidifiers and air purifiers...I wonder if that's a contributor!! I'll try the OTC drops --thanks!

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Do you wear eye makeup or contacts? If yes to either you may be allergic to something in them.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

Do you wear eye makeup or contacts? If yes to either you may be allergic to something in them.

Not lately and not any more...but thanks for the thought, Raven

they feel better today....could be wood stove....

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I have eczema on my eyelid--have had it on and off for years. Going gluten-free helped for a while but it came back. It causes the lid to be itchy, red, and puffy. Doctors have told me to use Hydro-cortisone cream, which I have from time to time but prefer to just use a moisturizer.

This time of year it's more common for it to flare up.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

I have eczema on my eyelid--have had it on and off for years. Going gluten-free helped for a while but it came back. It causes the lid to be itchy, red, and puffy. Doctors have told me to use Hydro-cortisone cream, which I have from time to time but prefer to just use a moisturizer.

This time of year it's more common for it to flare up.

thanks, Patti! My opthamologist called it "blepharitis." The eyelid --for some reason--accumulates "particles" and debris. The remedy? Keep it clean. (gee, thanks, doctor, I thought I was a clean person!) LOL

Told me to do warm compresses and baby shampoo washes. So far, so good, but I also heard that lack of sufficient fatty acids can make create itchiness and dry skin-my scalp is itchy too. (all of my personal products are gluten-free/SF/CF)These are all new symptoms for me in the last year. I acquired a whole bunch of them and it is overwhelming at times...

So, hearing that it clears w/gluten-free living is encouraging!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

thanks, Patti! My opthamologist called it "blepharitis." The eyelid --for some reason--accumulates "particles" and debris. The remedy? Keep it clean. (gee, thanks, doctor, I thought I was a clean person!) LOL

Told me to do warm compresses and baby shampoo washes. So far, so good, but I also heard that lack of sufficient fatty acids can make create itchiness and dry skin-my scalp is itchy too. (all of my personal products are gluten-free/SF/CF)These are all new symptoms for me in the last year. I acquired a whole bunch of them and it is overwhelming at times...

So, hearing that it clears w/gluten-free living is encouraging!

A lite amount of warm olive oil applied to the area might help a bit also. It would help loosen particles and moisturize.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

thank you, Raven!!

  • 4 weeks later...
ILoveflowers74 Newbie
ILoveflowers74
Posted

Had same problem on and off for years doc told me it was eczema on my eyelids , it got so bad I hated to leave the house . I was embarrassed I looked like an addict.... I started to wash eyes with baby shampoo daily .. Just as you brush your teeth. It helps... As soon as I skip a day my eyes tell me . But now I look back to normal it took about 2 weeks of washing morning and night for improvement.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

Had same problem on and off for years doc told me it was eczema on my eyelids , it got so bad I hated to leave the house . I was embarrassed I looked like an addict.... I started to wash eyes with baby shampoo daily .. Just as you brush your teeth. It helps... As soon as I skip a day my eyes tell me . But now I look back to normal it took about 2 weeks of washing morning and night for improvement.

Thanks! I have improved too--I did the same thing!

  • 8 months later...
Segan Newbie
Segan
Posted

Hi All

I also suffered from red, swollen eyelids that were all wrinkly when the selling went down. The condition lasted about five months. I was initially told by one doctor that it was Eczema and by another that it was Blepharitis. I tried everything from Hydrocortisone cream (big mistake) to cream for athletes foot(I was desperate!), strangely this seemed to help though probably just because I stopped using the hydrocortisone. Eventually I stopped taking guesses and went for a IGG blood test. I tested positive for a level 3 allergy to Gluten and milk and a level 2 for eggs and yeast. The doctor (the third one) told me that it could be one or a combination of allergies that caused my eyes to swell. I've had injections to desensitise me to the allergies and I've avoided everything I'm allergic to (especially Gluten, which seems to be the main cause)for the last 6 months and I'm happy to report that for the last month my eyes have not swelled at all.

I have one positive thing to say about my eyes swelling. It's definitely taught me which foods to be wary of especially when I was learning to avoid Gluten.

I hope you all manage to beat it.

  • 2 weeks later...
aussiechick4jc Rookie
aussiechick4jc
Posted

I also have this problem, have had for years, and it sounds like you too have environmental allergies, on top of Celiac. That's a pretty common pairing. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome, which adds to the reasons my eyes are such a problem at times. Are your eyes very dry? Do you suffer from dry mouth? These are 2 big symptoms of Sjogren's and its one of those autoimmune diseases which is commonly found with Celiac. It will cause the symptoms you are describing.

There are times when mine are fine and times when they are not. Stress, getting a little run down or the environment will trigger an episode of swollen eyelids for me but they aren't that bad all the time. It's more of an allergic reaction, vs. a reaction from just having Celiac. You may find yours do the same. There are anti-histamine eye drops, OTC, which help with the itching and redness....I found them helpful. I also recommend using the artificial tears, frequently, when your eyes bother you. I do not use any OTC allergy meds, other than drops, because having Sjogren's and dry mouth prohibits me using any drugs that will aggravate the dry mouth. You may want to try some Benadryl to see if that helps.

Not everything is magically cured just by going gluten-free but it can most certainly alleviate some of the more aggravating symptoms. It sounds to me like you have allergies, unfortunately! I find them more annoying than having a major intolerance like Celiac.

Hi there,

I read your post and am interested in finding out the Sjogrens was dignosed. I've had minor health issues for many many years. These have included cronic constipation, tiredness, overweight and issues with my eyes. Although they have improved gluten free. I used to use the artifical tears daily but now I' probably on used them 3 times in the last 4 weeks. I've been tested twice via blood tests for the Sjogren's - both times negative. Once (bloods) for celiacs - negative. It's extremely frustrating as you would like someone to say - "This is what is wrong with you and this is how you treat it". Since being gluten free I have noticed a big differenece with my eyes and my ability to focus and not feel like I need to be asleep 24 hours in each day. Please, I would like to know about the Sjogrens.

Thank you and God Bless

Karen from Newcastle

AVR1962 Collaborator
AVR1962
Posted

Ginny, do you have any pets? I am a big animal lover and seemed to be fine til my system became so sensative and I was having the same issue. Thought it might have been my make-up so I switched that. Then BINGO a light went off one day. I realized that on the nights my newest family member, a short haired little kitten, would join me in bed and I would pet her I would wake up with swollen, itchy, sore eyelids. I was touching my eyes after I pet the cat. I have never been this sensative so this is new to me, we have 3 cats. I make sure now that I wash my hands every time I handle one of the cats and I am fine.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted
  • Author

This is an old post and truthfully, I forgot I even posted it. :blink: I wrote so many those first few months--this 'newbie' had sooooo many questions!!! :blink:

I am happy to report that after being gluten-free for 10 months, it's pretty much gone. No itching, no swelling.

:)

Hope all of you have some relief from it, too!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,336
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    VanessaC
    Newest Member
    VanessaC
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.