Blepharitis is the situation of the infected eyelid, which can lead to redness and
swelling. This disease may occur at any age and it is very difficult to treat.
Causes of disease
The disease is caused by infection or skin disease. There are two types of blepharitis: frontal blepharitis and back blepharitis.
The frontal blepharitis is inflammation of the skin around the base of the eyelash. The first cause is seborrheic dermatitis which causes the skin to become oily or peeling. Besides, it is also irritating to eyes. The seborriheic dermatitis may cause both frontal blepharitis and back blepharitis. The second cause is due to infections. It can happen because of bacterial infection that is most commonly Staphylococcus bacteria. This parasite is harmless in the skin but in some cases it may cause blepharitis situation. The third cause is due to parasitic infection. Demodex is a parasitic on the eyelashes that also lead to frontal blepharitis and back blepharitis.
Also Read: What Are The Best Essential Oils For Glowing Skin?
The back blepharitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelid due to dysfunction of the sebaceous glands that called Meibomian. Meibomian glands are responsible for production of oil to tears, which is a very important ingredient for eye protection. Tears include oils, water and mucus that cover the eyeballs to help prevent dry eyes. However, the Meibomian glands are disordered, it will produce a lot of mucus that make it congest due to a skin disease that called Rosacea. When this disease occurs, the skin redness or pimples on the face and this may affect your eyes and eyelids. Thus, this phenomenon occurs, the eye will have blepharitis. Here are some helpful ways to get rid of blepharitis that you can apply:
1. Regular eyelid cleaning
You should keep clean is the best way to treat blepharitis and prevent disease. You need to clean your eyelids with warm water that will prevent the dirt from sticking on your lashes as well as excess oil on the eyelids.
2. Use warm gauze:
Using warm gauze is an effective home remedy for blepharitis. It helps to soften oil from the oil glands and dandruff scales around the lashes. Moreover, heat from warm gauze may improve blood circulation and help the body to heal wounds.
You do the following:
First, you soak a clean towel in warm water, then squeeze a towel and apply this towel in the eyelids for a few minutes. You should repeat for about three or four times until the towel is no longer warm. Last, clean scales and rust on the eyelid and repeat this method many times a day. If you have blepharitis in both eyes, you should use a separate towel for each eye to avoid contagion.
3. Rub on eyelids:
If you rub on the eyelids regularly, it will prevent accumulation of sludge, dregs and dirt on the eyelids.
You do the following:
The first, you squeeze two or three drops of baby shampoo into the bowl of warm water, then dip a clean cotton pad into this solution. Gently rub the eyelids for nearly a minute on each eye and then wash with warm water to get rid of residual dirt and the last, you dry gently with a soft towel. You should repeat this way for two or three times each day.
4. Indian lilac
Like lice, control of dandruff scales will help treat blepharitis. In fact, dandruff on the scalp and eyelashes will lead to blepharitis. Indian lilac is very effective to get rid of dandruff, fungus and bacteria and help limit itching.
How to do:
Grab the lilac with a liter of water and then boil it. Let the water cool and filter leaves, take water just boiled it. You use this water to shampoo and wash your eyelids. You should apply this method until the disease appears.
5. Using oil of tea tree
The oil of tea tree may use to treat the blepharitis because the oil of tea tree is very effective in treating the symptoms of itching, swelling and inflammation.
How to do:
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil and use a cotton swab dipped in this mixture and then use this cotton swab to gently wipe your eyelids. You should close your eyes for a few minutes. You do this way for twice a day for three days to have results.
6. Using castor oil:
Castor oil has Ricinoleic acids that acts as an anti-inflammatory, it helps decrease itching, irritation and pain. How to use the following:
First, you wash your eyelashes and eyelids with warm water.
Second, you use warm gauze to apply to the eyelid for five minutes and use a cotton swab dipped into castor oil and then gently rub the eyelids before you go to sleep.
Last, you need to wash with warm water the next morning. You should do this method once a day for about three consecutive days.
7. Using Omega 3
Omega 3 fatty acids may decrease the symptoms of blepharitis.
According to a study in an international magazine showed that Omega 3 fatty acids has an active role in treating dry eye, blepharitis and sebaceous gland in the eyelids. Because it makes meibomian glands to active more smoothly that helps your eyes do not dry.
We can find omega 3 in salmon, tuna, walnuts and flaxseed.
8. Using coconut oil:
Coconut oil not only is rich nutrients that help relieve itching, inflammation and pain but also has anti-inflammatory properties.
How to use coconut oil:
You use cotton pad to absorb coconut oil and then put this cotton pad on the eyelids about fifteen minutes.
You should this way for four times a day and use it before going to sleep. You should wash your eyelids the next morning. If do not have coconut oil, you can use olive oil.
9. Using aloe vera
If the eyelid is properly moisturized, it will prevent blepharitis. However, when you have blepharitis, using aloe vera is very good method to remove this disease because aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, limiting swelling and flight infection.
How to do:
Peel leaf of aloe vera, to take fresh gel inside of it and gently rub this gel into eyelids for ten minutes. After then, you should wash with warm water. You can apply this way twice a day to get good results. You should use fresh aloe vera instead of aloe vera gel creams.
Blepharitis Remedies
Your eyelids protect and clean your eyes but also can be sources of bacterial infection. Blepharitis, or “granulated lids,” is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. This results in a persistent red-rimmed, scaly appearance that usually affects both eyes at once. The ailment is generally not serious and is rarely a threat to vision. But blepharitis tends to be a chronic condition and may require long-term treatment.
- Scaly, red eyelids that are inflamed around the margins
- Sandy, itchy and burning sensation in the eyes
- Awakening to a sticky crust sealing the eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
- Dandruff-like flakes of skin on the eyelids.
- Scant and broken eyelashes
What Causes Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is often associated with seborrhea (seborrheic dermatitis)—red, scaly, itchy patches of skin that affect the scalp and parts of the face. A bacterial infection also often causes or complicates the problem: eyelashes each grow out of separate follicles, and bacteria can enter readily, resulting in infection. Pus oozes out along the eyelash, where it dries, crusts, and falls into the eye, causing chronic red eyes. In rare cases blepharitis may be caused by an infestation of lice in the eyelashes.
What If You Do Nothing?
Sometimes blepharitis clears up on its own, but it can easily recur and become chronic. Early treatment is essential to prevent recurrence or complications.
Home Remedies for Blepharitis
- Keep your eyelids clean. Wash your eyelids three times daily with warm saltwater baby shampoo diluted with water. Use a cotton-tip applicator to gently scrub the eyelid margins, upper and lower, removing all traces of the dry crust. Use a new tip for each margin. Do this procedure when you awaken, at midday when oils and pus accumulate, and at bedtime.
- Don’t wear eye makeup until the inflammation subsides. Mascara or eye shadow may result in contact dermatitis of the eyelids.
- Don’t wear contact lenses until the condition is resolved. If your case is chronic, discuss with your ophthalmologist when you can continue wearing the lenses.
Prevention
Controlling blepharitis with the remedies outlined above will also prevent it from recurring or worsening. Also, use a medicated shampoo to control any seborrhea of the scalp.
Beyond Home Remedies: When To Call Your Doctor
If your case doesn’t clear up after two weeks of self-care measures, contact your ophthalmologist. If you notice lice on yourself (or on a child who is infected), call a doctor right away.
What Your Doctor Will Do
After a careful examination your physician may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to rub onto the eyelids to counteract the bacteria. If lice are the cause, the doctor will recommend an ophthalmic ointment and/or will remove the nits by hand.
