I cured my blepharitis is almost sounding like a myth, because blepharitis may seem difficult to treat or cure, many are of the opinion that it cannot be treated but in some instances, this eye infection is cured using the right treatment methods. Blepharitis or eyelid inflammation is a condition that makes the eyelid to become irritated, swollen and itchy. This eye condition affects only the edges of the eyelid and can be caused by many factors.
It can either be caused by an infection, skin condition or even both in some cases. Blepharitis can be cured or treated using home remedies or medications if the inflammation is severe. We will try to explain the causes and symptoms of this condition, and also how to cure it.
WHAT CAUSES BLEPHARITIS
Blepharitis can be caused by many factors like:
1. Infection
There are bacteria on the skin surface, this is normal but too much of these bacteria can cause problems. One of these problems is blepharitis. Excess and overgrowth of bacteria at the base of the eyelashes and cause flakes that look like dandruffs to form on the eyelids. These flakes can cause eye irritation and blepharitis.
2. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
The openings of the oil producing glands in the eyelid can become clogged and cannot release liquid to the eyes, this makes the eyes to become dry there by leading to inflammation and irritation.
3. Allergies
Allergic reactions to some things like contact lens, hair spray, makeup, animals, chemicals and other allergens can lead to blepharitis.
4. Skin Conditions
Conditions that affect the skin can also affect the eyelids and some of these dermatological conditions are contact dermatitis, acne, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis which is a kind of eczema.
5. Eyelash Mites
An eyelash mite that is otherwise known as demodex is a parasite that can cause blepharitis especially in adults. Normally, these parasites are found on the eyelashes and they are not a problem to the skin or eye. Nevertheless, these parasites can accumulate at the base of the eyelashes thereby causing irritation, redness and flakes around the eyelashes.
6. Poor Hygiene
Poor hygiene has lots of complications and effects, and one of them is causing blepharitis. Bacteria breed and grow on the skin, if they are not washed off, there can be multiplication. This effect is similar to the cause of blepharitis as there can be an overgrowth of bacteria around the eyelashes due to poor hygiene. This cause of blepharitis is common among teenagers and children.
Some factors that can trigger blepharitis are:
- Stress
- Vitamin deficiency
SYMPTOMS OF BLEPHARITIS
Some common symptoms of blepharitis are:
- Dry eyes
- Irritation of the eyelids
- Redness of the eye
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Watery eyes
- Burning and stinging sensation in the eye
- Flakes like dandruffs around the eyelids and eyelashes
- Crusty eyelids or eyelashes especially in the morning after bedtime
- Foamy tears
- Loss of eyelash
- Sensitivity to light
HERE ARE THE 4 EASY WAYS OF HOW I MY CURED BLEPHARITIS
Blepharitis can be cured or treated using home remedies, some of them are:
1. Original Manuka Honey
This may sound like it would not work but it is an olden method of treatment that has worked for many people. This method can be traced back to the Indian people and it only involves rubbing some honey on the eyelash. You only need a metal eye liner stick, be sure to disinfect this stick before using it. Pour the honey into a spoon and douse the metal eye liner in the honey. Swipe the honey across the lower eyelash line and the eyelid as well.
Use the metal to massage these areas of the eyes, make sure the honey does not enter inside the eyes. You will feel severe stinging and burning sensation, your 3yes will water and turn red as well. Allow the honey to stay on the eyelid and eyelashes for 15 minutes, then wash off with clean water and use a clean cotton cloth to wipe off the honey, this should be done gently to avoid irritating the eye further.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be used to cure blepharitis but the coconut oil should be virgin coconut oil that is unrefined and in its best, purest form. Virgin coconut oil is free of preservatives and chemicals that can harm the eyes and cause further complications. Coconut oil will also help to relieve the dryness and inflammation around the eyelids. You can rub the eyelids with coconut oil in a horizontal back and forth motion.
3. Eye Compresses
Placing a warm compress on the eye several times in a day can help to treat blepharitis. You can dip a clean washcloth or paper towel into warm water, place this on the eye for few minutes or until the warm compress becomes cold. You can also use a warm tea bag, allow the tea bag to cool down a bit, the warm compress should not be hot so as not to burn the skin.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there is no additional benefits that a tea bag compress has that warm water does not, the only advantage is that the shape of the tea bag makes it easier to use.
4. Eyelid Scrub
Eyelid scrub is very important, it does not only cure blepharitis but it can remove the flakes around the eyelids and also clean out bacteria. You only need an eye cleanser and water. You can use baby shampoo because it does not sting and is also gentle, specially formulated wash for the eyelids can be used as well.
Pour a drop of the eye drop cleanser on a clean, warm wet cloth and rub the cloth till it foams. Close the eyes and scrub the eyelids gently in a horizontal back and forth movement. Do this for few seconds and rinse off with cool water. You can do this twice a day to get faster and best results.
MEDICATED CURE FOR BLEPHARITIS
There are medicines that can help to cure this eye condition, some of them are tablet, ointments, eyewash and eye drops. Some over-the-counter eye cleansers can treat blepharitis and also prevent inflammation from affecting the eyes. Some of these cleansers are:
1. Cliradex
This medication comes in form of wipes and it contains a tea tree oil commonly known as Melaleuca alternifolia, this oil is known to treat blepharitis. According to research, tea tree oil has a compound known as 4-Terpineol, this helps to relieve symptoms caused by blepharitis.
These medicated wipes are very safe for the eyes and can be used for other purposes apart from curing blepharitis. Use this wipes to clean the eyelids and eyelashes twice a day for 10 day. After 10 days and you still experience some symptoms, you can continue to use Cliradex wipes once a day for another 10 days.
2. Avenova
Avenova is an eyelid wash that can cure blepharitis especially if it is caused by bacteria as it contains hypochlorous acid. Studies have shown that this acid can cure the bacteria that cause this eye condition. To use this eyewash, spray the liquid on a cotton ball or wool. Wipe the upper and lower eyelashes in a horizontal by gentle motion. Use another cotton ball to repeat same motion on the other eye, this should be done twice a day.
3. Blephadex
Blephadex is another medicated wipes that can cure blepharitis that are caused by the parasite known as mites. This wipes contains tea tree oil, coconut oil and eyelid cleanser. According to a study published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science 2012, tea tree oil can help to clear demodex from the eyelids and cure blepharitis as well. Coconut oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Blephadex can also help to relieve the symptoms associated with blepharitis.
4. TheraLife Natural Chronic Dry Eye Relief
This is not an eye cleanser or eye drop but a capsule. Although this medication cures dryness of the eyes, it can cute blepharitis because severe dryness of the eyes can lead to this eye condition and other complications like stye, ocular rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction, chalazion, watery eyes and cornea abrasion.
Prescription medicines can also be used to cure blepharitis in cases where home remedies and over-the-counter medications do not work. These medicines should be prescribed by an eye doctor.
5. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to cure blepharitis especially if it is caused by overgrowth of bacteria. The eye doctor can decide to prescribe topical antibiotics that should be applied on the skin or oral antibiotics. Some topical antibiotics that can be used to cure blepharitis are Bacitracin ophthalmic and Erythromycin ophthalmic. If there is no improvement with these topical antibiotics, your doctor can prescribe tetracycline or doxycycline.
6. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids or steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, they can be used to cure irritation and inflammation of the eyelid. These drugs can come in form of eyedrops, oral medicine or topical ointments.
In some cases, antibiotics can be combined with corticosteroids. According to research, this combined treatment is more effective than antibiotics or steroids alone. Drugs like Blephamide is a combination of an antibiotic (sulfacetamide sodium) and a corticosteroid (prednisolone acetate).
CONCLUSION
Blepharitis may seem difficult to cure or treat most of the times using the above methods. Some may seem like they are working but with consistency, you can see results. Blepharitis is an eye condition that can cause dryness and inflammation of the eyelids. You can either use the home remedies, over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs to cure blepharitis.