What's the fiber content?

Sateen is a weaving process - not a surface treatment, but manufacturers do use chemical treatments on fabrics. Perhaps the fibers are what's irritating you?

So they've been laundered more than once? I wouldn't think there's any chemical treatment on sheets that would live through multiple washings - if there's any chemical treatment in the first place.

But what about diet or environmental factors? New health/beauty products?

And I think cortisone for skin issues can cause a rebound effect when it wears off. Perhaps try a different treatment? Maybe just a neutral, unscented moisturizer?

"But what about diet or environmental factors? New health/beauty products?"

Nope, nothing different. It's pretty much only my eye area, just once in a while my arms. I could experiment and try sleeping without the sheets and pillowcases on the bed for a week and see if things resolve themselves. But then I'd have to buy new sheets if I discover if the fabric is indeed the culprit and wouldn't know what to look for. You now, now that I'm typing all this out, I wonder if it's simply that the fabric is a little scratchy rather than an actual allergy, and since my face is on the pillow all night maybe the (relative) roughness of the fabric is physically irritating the delicate tissues around the eyes.

I'm more inclined to think it's a detergent, or fabric softener of some sort. Let us know how your experiment goes!

FWIW, I've noticed that I seem to get breakouts from polyester fabrics. I suspect it's because polyester is non-absorbent and skin oils and detritus can build up...?

Just to suggest that fiber content can make a difference.

Maybe you will need to wash them somemore to get all the detergent residue out of the sheets. I am extremely allergic to some detergents and I will need to wash my clothing multiple times to get the bad stuff out of them.

Careful with the cortisone, it thins the skin if used too often. The sateen is a type of weave. Although manufacturers frequently apply sizing to make it seem smoother, it usually washes off. May want to visit the dermatologist. My husband has rosacea and it recently moved into his eyes. He uses ocusoft to wash his eyes and it helps quite a bit.

What about using hypoallergenic fabrics for your sheets?

Silk, bamboo, tencel, and cotton can be hypoallergenic.

You know what to do-- conduct a test. First, remove the comforter for about two weeks. If there's no change, use older sheets that you know are all right, and put the comforter back on the bed. Try this configuation for two weeks. You should know if either is causing your problem. Best of luck.

I don’t know if sheets are causing the allergies but I’ve heard of allergies causing the sheets.

Seriously though, just switch back to old or other bedding, or sleep on the sofa for a few nights with a throw blanket. Might not be able to find the cause quickly, but you should be able to rule out the bedding pretty quickly if that’s not it.

My suggestion, too, would be to first try a new pillowcase. Get 100% cotton. You can find the most fabulous cotton pillow cases at antique stores, the old kind that our grandmothers or mothers embroidered. They are not expensive at all and the cotton is so wonderful.

Have you washed the comforter? I think sometimes manufacturers used things to finish fabrics that could cause irritation. I know that you washed the sheets already because you mentioned the soap.

The only way to find out is to eliminate one or add one thing at a time. You changed several things at a time, so there is no way of knowing what the problem is. So take your time current set up and eliminate one thing and see if there is an improvement.

Yes, I washed the comforter a couple times since I got it back in the spring. I slept without the sheets or pillowcase last night and my eye area isn't as irritated -- there's still a spot above my eyelid that's red and a bit flaky but it's been like that a couple days so takes time to heal, but my undereye area isn't as irritatatingly dry and wrinkly as it usually is in the morning, and I'm not as puffy. I'll give it a few more days to a week and if all clears up with no recurrence, then its the sheets that are for whatever reason causing the irritation. If not, then I'll remove the comforter next.

It's unlikely that your bedding is causing a problem around your eyes unless you are sleeping flat on your face. If it were your bedding the irritation would show up on lots more of your body. I am extremely allergic to fragrances and all fabric softeners and know that these can cause terrible skin problems. But if it were these things they would affect more of you than just around your eyes and a little on your arm. IF it is somehow your bedding it would only be your pillow case that is the problem. I suggest that you visit a dermatologist who can probably pinpoint exactly what is going on and provide advice and relief for you. I hope you are better very soon.

Sorry to hear about what you’re dealing with! If you eliminate the bedding and are still having issues it might not hurt to ask doctor to check thyroid function if that hasn’t been done in awhile. I have Hashimotos and Graves and they can both cause similar skin issues, especially around eyes. I hope you can figure it out soon and feel better!

I have an allergy that causes the skin at the corners of my eyes, my mouth, and under my nostrils to become scaley, which then peels off to show moist red patches. So it could very well be an allergy. Your plan is the right thing to do - there is no telling what the fabric might have been treated with, that is new to you and an allergen for you.

If the OP said what the fiber content is of these sheets, i missed it. As already mentioned, sateen is a type of weave, not the fiber content. Are the sheets cotton? Poly? Microfiber? And i will echo a previous post that all fabrics are treated with sizing and finishes that reduce wrinkling. It does not all wash out. Otherwise, our cotton sheets would be more wrinkled than they are. It could be contact dermatitis or allergy to residual chemicals in the bedding. Try your old sheets and/or pillowcases and see if it all calms down. If it does, the problem is the new sheet set.

Not all fabrics use these chemicals. Specifically, the following is from an email from Brooklinen:

Our Classic and Luxe Sheets are 100% cotton, and unlike other brands, we don't treat them with any anti-wrinkle chemicals.

I’ll stop short of recommending Brooklinen because I find my flat sheets frustratingly skimpy in size, but if chemicals are the problem they might be considered.

OP, is your pillow a new one? Just eliminate each one seperately and you will have a better idea whether it is an allergy/irritation and if it is from your bedding. It might not be any of these. It seems odd that it would only affect such a small area of your face.

No, pillow is not new. Just the comforter and sheet/pillowcases.

I looked at the tag at it says 100% cotton, Okeo-Tex, made in China. The sheets are dark green, maybe something in the dye? Although I've had other dark sheets before and never had a problem. I got these from The Company Store.

ETA: I ordered some new 100% organic cotton flannel sheets from Garnet Hill this weekend with their 40% off sale. I hope there won't be any problems with the new ones.

It is possible you've got a case of blepharitis. I was diagnosed with it once, many years ago, by a dermatologist. I have no idea how it happened. It only affected the skin below my eyes and was easy to clear up.

@Cavimum I was thinking the same thing about it possbily being blepharitis.

OP have you used any new skincare items that you may be sensitive to?

Found this online about cotton and formaldehyde. Another website talks about how to remove formaldehyde.

Cotton allergy is very rare, but did you know that some cotton materials contain formaldehyde. When people are allergic to a cotton material the allergy is most likely due to formaldehyde which is added to cotton to make it wrinkle resistant.Mar 23, 2018

Add a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle to help wash out formaldehyde better. Add borax to the laundry. Ah, borax, the solution to pretty much everything in the laundry room, even formaldehyde in clothes! Add one cup of borax at the beginning of the load, with your usual detergent.Apr 17, 2022

Update: It's been about two weeks since I posted and stopped sleeping on those original sheets, and my eye area is completely better. I've been sleeping on my new 100% organic cotton flannel sheets from Garnet Hill for about a week with no irritation (bonus: they're nice and warm!). I also ordered a new 100% cotton fleece blanket from G.H., that's in the wash now and I'll start sleeping with that tonight to see if it causes any problems.

It will be interesting to see if I wait maybe 4-6 months and rotate those sheets I suspect are the problem back in. If the irritation returns then bingo there's my definitive answer, it's the sheets. I don't want to chance it right now since I'll be rotating in a new blanket, and the poor skin around my eyes need a break :o(

Not only sounds like a plan, but YAY!, you're better. Whew

Interesting! Well glad your skin is better, regardless if it was actually the sheets.

Just saw this. I was gonna say that I always have contact dermatitis issues with synthetic fabrics. (It’s a huge hassle to go shopping for clothing or anything made with fabric.) Any part of my body will react, but some areas react more quickly than others, and the delicate skin on my face is the type that reacts fast. Glad you found the issue. Sorry you seem to be dealing with a sensitivity as well.

Thank you for the update. Im glad your skin has cleared up! It could be finishing chemicals or the dye. Perhaps the Company Store will give you a return refund.

My daughter was allergic to the dyes in some fabrics.

Glad you’re better for the holidays!!🍾

I’m glad you figured this out. I have always liked Garnet Hill’s products and I’m glad they worked for you. Now you can enjoy the holidays.