Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Do you suffer from allergies all year round? Do you frequently experience allergy-like symptoms, such as itchy, watery, and red eyes? If so, the problem could be your eyelids.
Blepharitis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid and the growth of crusty patches of skin that form around the margins of the eyes. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
1) A gritty sensation, the feeling that something is in the eye.
2) A burning or tired sensation.
3) Itchiness.
4) Inflammation of the eyelid, or at the base of the lashes, and redness within the eye.
5) Crusty eyelids, and around the lower margins of the eye.
6) Extra tears and/or dry eyes.
7) Blurry vision and photophobia.
There are two types of Blepharitis. The most common causes of Anterior Blepharitis are usually caused by dandruff and/or bacteria from the scalp and eyebrows, which affects the outside margins of the eye, resulting in crustiness around the margins of the eyes. Posterior Blepharitis can affect the Meibomian glands located at the base of the upper and lower lashes. These glands secrete an oil that lubricate the eye and prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. Over time, these glands can become clogged with dried secretions and other debris, including dead skin cells and bacteria, resulting in posterior Blepharitis.
Blepharitis is a very common condition. Approximately as many as 100 million people may have the condition to some degree and may not even be aware of it. It is commonly seen in as many as forty to fifty percent of eye care patients.
Other conditions may also lead to the development of Blepharitis, such as rosacea, herpes simplex, dermititis, vericella-zoster dermititis, molluscum contagiosum, contact and seborrheic dermititis, staphylococcal dermititis, and infestations of demodex mites. A species classified as Demodex folliculorum are one of two that are common in the eye lashes of humans and other mammals. An over abundance of these microscopic mites may, in some cases, lead to both types of ocular Blepharitis.
If left untreated, the most serious cases can lead to complications, such as permanent alteration of the eyelids, styes ( a painful lump on the lid ) recurring conjunctivitis ( pink eye ), permanent dry eye disease, and in some cases, corneal damage.
There are several ways it can be treated. The first step is to visit an opthalmologist for a diagnosis. He or she has several methods that can treat and relief the symptoms of Blepharitis. There are also many medications both prescribed, and over the counter products that can be used at home in a daily hygiene routine to treat symptoms. These products include:
1/ Hydrate Lid and Lash Cleanser.
2/ Ocusoft Oust Demodex Cleanser.
3/ Cliradex Wipes
4/ Cliradex Eye Spray Foam.
5/ Lumify.
6/ We Love Eyes, eyelid and Lash foaming cleanser.
7/ Optase Eye Mask, and lid scrub.
8/ Ocusoft eyelid scrubs, including Allergy.
These are just a few of the products that can be used in a daily routine of eyelid hygiene, and all of them are recommended by opthalmologists. Each product can be found in a local pharmacy or online. Each of these products contain natural, organic and anti-microbial ingredients, including tea tree oils and hypochlorous acid. They can be expensive, but no price is too much when it comes to vision and making the eyes feel better. I have been using some of these products myself for some time, and they have been a huge relief in relieving my symptoms, which have often been debilitating and severe.
So, if you suffer from the symptoms caused by Blepharitis, or just experience seasonal allergies, give some of these products a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Sources: abckidseyes.com/what you should know about blepharitis; Wikipedia.
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