Weird eye issue--need some insight

[oiseau]

My partner has had this weird eye issue for awhile now and it's finally starting to really bug him, so I thought I'd see if anyone could give us any ideas or suggestions. He doesn't have insurance, so we're trying home remedies right now, though we're also considering checking out one of those minute clinic places sometime soon. (does anyone have any experience with one of these places for an issue that will probably require follow-up?)

Here's the issue:
His right eye lid is very dry, somewhat swollen and itchy. It started near the inner corner of his and in the last week or so has spread so it covers his whole upper and lower eyelid. His actual eyeball is fine and there's been no teariness or oozing or anything to suggest pinkeye or any sort of infection. It's just the skin.

Here's what we've tried:
-coconut oil (he says it stings and burns!!)
-vitamin E oil (stings and burns, plus it made the redness worse)
-leaving it alone (gets dry, the skin cracks and bleeds)
-Neosporin (doesn't do anything but keeps it from hurting)
-cocoa butter (REALLY stings and burns)

I'm thinking it's possibly some sort of eczema, but I'm at a loss as to what to try next. We'll greatly welcome any and all suggestions! Thanks!

[BellinghamCrunchie]

I'm guessing its fungal (itchy, flaky) but I have no idea what to put on it that close to the eye.

[lotus.blossom]

Try looking up blepharitis. I know someone who suffers from this and it sounds similar to what your guys has! Hope that helps!

[mamabird83]

Breast milk baby! I know it sounds weird but breast milk is really a cure all for anything bacteria, fungal or viral. We have used it in our eyes, our noses, our ears, our throats, on cuts, pimples, eczema... anything. The properties of breast milk clean thoroughly without drying out the area and there is no danger about using in sensitive places.

If you or someone you know has a supply of breast milk, I would give it a try. I have leant out my own milk to friends in need and it has done wonders for themselves and their kids.

Good Luck.

[Crafty]

Could it be impetigo?

[oiseau]

After a bunch of googling, we're leaning towards eyelid eczema. We recently moved from an apartment because of a housemate who smoked and when we thought about it, the smoke and the cold weather lined up with when this eye issue started.

I've been saying all along that we need some breastmilk for his eye, but we don't have any kids, so there's none at my house and my only local parent friends have weaned their kiddos, so that's not an option :-(