Unable to wear spectacles because they cause the skin on my nose to blister and bleed

I think skin just gets thinner and more sensitive, as we age, unfortunately. I’m 60 and the skin to the sides of nose, where the glasses rest, is itchy and sore. I have to wear readers too.

At first I used lots of moisturiser. Didn’t help. I stopped using my No7 night cream because it’s got retinol in it and I thought that might be making the skin more sensitive. No change.

Can’t help really. I’m not at the stage you are but it IS aggravating.

Could you lose contact lenses?

“Use” contacts? ?

I sympathise. Mine was caused by a metallic component against my skin. I have a metal allergy so all frames must be completely plastic to avoid the problem. Where they fit behind the ear, just as important.

Something has set this off : maybe, as suggested, just having older or more sensitive skin. If you do an internet search for bridge of the nose protection for spectacle wearers, it’s amazing how many ideas and gadgets are available. I’m sure you’ll find something that helps.

I choose rimless specs which are almost weightless so don’t cause a reaction on my skin.
I had the same problem and it started post-menopause.

MaryPerdy would these be worth a try?

www.amazon.co.uk/Anti-Slip-Comfortable-Thickness-Eyeglasses-Sunglasses/dp/B08L95PLYC/ref=asc_df_B08L95PLYC/?hvlocphy=1007315&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=463154510549&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-1056939610216&hvrand=818951997543140924

Sounds like you've developed an allergy if your skin is blistering. I'm allergic to nickel so can't wear earrings unless they're gold/silver.

Maybe there's nickel in the frames and nose-pads.

I had this once.

It may be due to the fact that a lot of mainstream glasses frames are very narrow around the bit that goes over the nose.

I now get my glasses from Outside Clinic.

www.outsideclinic.co.uk/

Out of the frames available a very small choice of what I think might (but I'm not sure) be called wide bridge frames.

The optometrist was very helpful when I explained the problem and found frames for me.

Having previously had bad experiences elsewhere I avoid wire frames and frames with those silly little plastic bits that fall out and then I was told "They're five pounds a pair".

Some opticians just don't have the range for everybody's needs. Lots of fancy expensive so-called Designer frames but often nothing for someone with a wider than average nose.

I have now got solid, all plastic frames (except for a few bits of metal for the hinge mechanisms) with none of those cosmetic fancy adornments.

I had this problem with frames that had the little wobbly nose pads on them. I've stuck to solid plastic frames since and had no trouble.
I also have the lenses thinned so they're not so heavy.

I managed to get some super soft nose rests for sensitive skin from Amazon, and since that time haven't had a problem. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C32DFJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

My latest pair of spec are really most uncomfortable, especially where they rest on my nose where they make it quite sore and also behind my ears.

The older frames (from elsewhere) which they fitted with other lenses are fine.
Strange, because they felt like the most comfortable pair of frames when I tried them at the opticians.

I got permanent small red marks there due to nasty metal frames I got years ago, online. My plastic frames are not irritating but the small red marks never went away.

I have a nickel allergy which manifested itself in exactly this way. I buy plastic or titanium glasses and the problem has gone away.

Cheap necklaces do the same to the back of my neck.

If like me it turns out to be an allergy, you may want to do what I do which is paint the offending places with clear nail varnish.
A bit fiddly and definitely a home spun answer, but works well.
Unless you're allergic to the ingredients in nail varnish of course

I have allergy issues ( and thin skin due to medication) and usually get rimless or semi rimless titanium frames. Metal and rimless frames don't seem to be in fashion at present. The trick for me is keeping the spectacles as light as possible- ( small frame but deep enough for the my progressive lenses) and as I have high ears - choosing something that is well balanced on the nose bridge. Are the spectacle lenses as light as can be made? Are you having to wear a mask for work with your spectacles?

Thank you very much for all your comments. You've given me some good thoughts to follow up, and I appreciate it. Here's hoping ,,,

Contacts is your answer I ve had them fir 40 years ( not the same pair) my friends has a problem and gets really lightweight ones forgotten the name of the metal mayb titanium what about rimless ?

I collected mi glasses once and to my surprise they did not have nose pads! just the bridge. Do I know they are available. They were not what I had chosen so I changed them , ask your optician - they are out there.

Shelflife

I collected mi glasses once and to my surprise they did not have nose pads! just the bridge. Do I know they are available. They were not what I had chosen so I changed them , ask your optician - they are out there.

My current glasses from Specsavers are like that and they are the most comfortable I’ve ever had. Usually when I have new glasses I’ll pop back to the optician’s a couple of times for minor adjustments. Too tight/loose on bridge of nose etc. These were perfect from day 1 and I’ll definitely select this type again in the future.

Could possibly be a nickel allergy ?
You could try asking for them to change the nose pads_ there are some that are sort of "sticky" and softer so that they don't slide around on your nose,so you could ask for them to be changed , or if it is where the bridge of the glasses touch your nose, try a couple of thin layers of clear nail varnish .

Try iLiftz® Cozy Eyeglass Socks. They reduce eyeglass pressure on your nose. byebyenosedents.com