{"id":6927,"date":"2019-05-29T20:51:57","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T20:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6927"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:43:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T08:43:11","slug":"14-possible-causes-of-blepharitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-possible-causes-of-blepharitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Possible Causes of Blepharitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blepharitis is one of those conditions that starts out as a bit of a nuisance. This causes your eyes to look red and potentially swollen around the eyelids, and it causes you to blink a lot. It seems at first to be predominantly an aesthetic condition, however, which is at least tolerable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then you find that it starts to encroach on numerous other areas of your life. You start waking up in the morning with your eyelids glued shut. You start to find it difficult to see in bright sunlight and have to wear shades 24\/7 like you\u2019re constantly hungover. You get bits in your eyes that really sting and your eyelashes start growing at awkward angles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blepharitis can continue for a long time if untreated, or if you aren\u2019t able to find the root cause of the problem. And the longer it persists, the more irritating and frustrating it becomes. For these reasons then, it\u2019s important to get to the bottom of what\u2019s causing your blepharitis. Read on for 8 possible causes of this condition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Infection<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first cause of blepharitis is an infection<\/a>. Specifically, you are likely to experience an infection of the staphylococcus bacteria \u2013 which is the same kind that causes so much trouble in hospitals. This bacteria will enjoy the open pores and ducts around your eyelid and make it its home.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the bacteria itself won\u2019t be able to cause any actual damage, your body is now going to try and fight to push it out anyway. This results in an elevated heart rate, swelling, redness, streaming tears, and possibly even nausea.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way that you know that this is likely to be a bacterial form of the condition then, is that it is going to cause you to feel unwell in yourself and maybe to get a fever \u2013 these are symptoms that are <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>associated with other forms of blepharitis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that this can be treated with antibiotics, but you do need to keep an eye on your health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Reaction to Makeup<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of blepharitis <\/a>is a reaction to makeup. If you wear makeup around the eyes as is very common, then this can make its way into the pores of the skin, the hair follicles, or the meibomian glands. What\u2019s more, is that this can have a reaction directly with the skin itself.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An allergic reaction effectively causes the body to act as though it has an infection. It thinks that something dangerous has entered the system and then essentially \u2018overreacts\u2019 by ramping up the immune system and causing the same swelling, redness, and streaming. All of this is designed to drive out the substance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergic reactions to makeup are common, seeing as these products often use a lot of harsh and unnatural ingredients. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Reaction to Moisturizers and Grooming Products<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, if the problem isn\u2019t caused by makeup, then there are many other health and beauty products that might lead to the issue. These include moisturizers, face wash, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and really anything else at all that you put near your face. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently changed your skin products, and that\u2019s roughly when you started to notice blepharitis, then this is a likely sign that you may have an allergy <\/a>to something in that product.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it\u2019s important to remember that you can also develop new allergies at any point. So even if nothing has changed in your beauty and hygiene regimen, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that your products are off the hook!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s time to play detective: take all of the products that you normally use out of your routine and instead just rinse with water. If that helps the issue to subside, then you can try gradually reintroducing each item until you find the culprit. At that point, it\u2019s worth investigating what the ingredients of the product are so that you can find the precise element that is upsetting your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seborrhoeic dermatitis <\/a>is a condition that causes the skin to become excessively oily or flaky. You might find that you suffer from acne or dry skin if you have this condition, which can lead to aesthetic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This problem is not serious in itself, but it can lead to further complications \u2013 blepharitis being one example.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have excessive oil production, then it can cause the meibomian glands to become blocked. This then causes them to become inflamed as they attempt to drive out the blockage. At the same time, they might start to produce more or fewer tears than usual, which can lead to many of the other associated symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the flaky form of seborrheic dermatitis, then it\u2019s possible that a dry skin flake is what has become caught in your duct and is what is causing the reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Ingrown Hair<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An ingrown hair is another common cause of blepharitis. Here, the hair on the eyelids is growing the wrong way \u2013 effectively growing inward on itself, rather than outward as it should do. This can then cause inflammation <\/a>and swelling of the eyelid and all the associated issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, it\u2019s also possible that the ingrown hair might be a catalyst for other associated problems. For example, it may cause the bacteria to infect the area, resulting in <\/span>bacterial infection as well as initial irritation. This means that the issue will need to be treated on two fronts and can be particularly painful. You might notice that your eyelashes appear to grow in unusual directions, or that you have a visible gap where the swelling occurs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Blocked Meibomian Gland<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, seborrheic dermatitis is associated with blepharitis because it causes the meibomian gland to become blocked with either oil or debris. That in turn then makes your eyes look red and swollen and causes an excessive or smaller amount of tear production.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time though, many other things can also block these glands, leading to the precise same symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might have the glands blocked by a hair as mentioned, or they might become blocked by dirt. Really anything can prevent the proper function of the glands and so any foreign object\/matter may be responsible for the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meibomian glands are more likely to be involved in posterior cases of the condition \u2013 where the swelling <\/a>is seen in the corner of the eye.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Allergies<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve talked about being allergic to things like eye makeup and skin products, but the other type of allergy \u2013 allergies to airborne dander and pollen <\/a>\u2013 can also cause the same problems. Here, the body may react upon contact with those particles and this is particularly true of the sensitive eye area. Should a big cat hair or piece of pollen find its way into your eye where the meibomian gland is, then this can cause it to swell up and become angry and red, just as the tears start to stream.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have allergies, then you might find that the gland swells up in response to those allergies. This can cause all the same symptoms and may or may not pass once the irritant is removed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Trauma<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, a direct trauma <\/a>to the eye can cause swelling to the eyelid of the cause, and damage to the meibomian gland may well cause it to cease functioning normally. If you have been hit in the eye and had a large bruise, then this could cause the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, other forms of irritation could also trigger the problem. For example, extended periods of severe dehydration lead<\/span> to very dry eyes or even another type of infection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many potential causes, the best option is to visit your doctor who will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and plan of attack. In the meantime, try to ease the discomfort with compresses and rest. Take it easy, wear shades, and try not to rub your eyes \u2013 you will feel that you want to but it only makes it worse!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Eyelash Mites and Lice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people confuse the symptoms of seborrheic blepharitis with an eyelash mite or louse infestation. Mites and eyelash lice <\/a>are tiny creatures that can infest your eyelids, leading to inflammation, redness of the eyelids, and swelling. The mites and lice can also cause crusting to occur in the corners of the eye and along the eyelid line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients may wake up in the morning and find their eyelids closed shut due to the discharge forming a crust around the eyelids that fuses the eyelashes. They discover that they have to wash away the crust with warm water to dissolve it and open their eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The extent of the crusting can become severe in a matter of days after the infestation starts, causing the same symptoms as seborrheic blepharitis. However, the itching is more intensive, and the patient may feel the movement of the pests around the eyelids. It’s common for infestations to spread to both eyes over a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Scleroderma<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scleroderma is an auto-immune disorder affecting the skin. The body produces the protein collagen as a building block for many types of cells in the body. Most of us know about collagen’s <\/a>benefits for our skin, hair, and nails. It’s an essential protein, making up more than 60% of your body mass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people who have scleroderma experience dysfunction in collagen where the body produces too much of it. One of the first signs of the disorder is a thickening of the skin, usually in the hands and eyelids. This thickening process leaves small bumps on the skin, turning it red and inflamed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thickening of the skin on the eyelids can cause skin inflammation, resulting in similar symptoms to blepharitis. However, the disorder will usually peak in its signs of inflammation in around a week or so and slowly subside, leaving flaky skin behind as the epidermis returns to normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Rosacea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rosacea is a skin disorder affecting mainly Caucasian people of Celtic or European descent. The condition creates redness <\/a>in the cheeks, around the nose, and the eyes. It’s rare for rosacea to affect the eyes, but when it does, it creates very similar symptoms to blepharitis. Typically, eye problems start before the onset of the discoloration in other parts of the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition may cause swelling of the eyelids and discharge from the corners of the eyes. As the swelling increases, the patient notices a swelling of the skin and the discharge. However, the changes are usually permanent, and there is no cure for the condition. Patients must learn to manage their condition with the assistance of a qualified dermatologist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosacea affects mostly women of European descent, but it also occurs in men. You can reduce the redness somewhat using lotions, but advanced forms of the disorder may not respond to any form of treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Reactions to Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people may develop blepharitis as a reaction to their use of medications<\/a>. Medical science is unclear about the types of medications specifically causing the condition. However, many drugs may list blepharitis on the list of side effects caused by the use of the medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the information pamphlet of the drug and see if it states that blepharitis is a known side effect of the medication. Avoid using it if you are prone to developing blepharitis. Ask your doctor for an alternative drug that doesn’t have blepharitis listed in the medication’s side effects. In most situations, blepharitis may take up to 72-hours to emerge after the first use of the drug. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience the onset of blepharitis after starting a course of medications, speak to your doctor and ask them to change it for something similar that doesn’t produce the same side effects. A wide variety of drugs can cause the condition, and it’s especially prevalent in patients with sensitivity to hydrocortisone \u2013 even though this drug has anti-inflammatory properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Conjunctivitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye,” can occur when you contact viral or bacterial pathogens <\/a>that invade the eye. Conjunctivitis infections can range from mild to severe. Some may clear in a few days, and others may take two weeks or longer, depending on the aggressive characteristics of the pathogen causing the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with conjunctivitis infection notice that the whites of the eyes turn red, and they experience inflammation in the eyelids, causing them to want to scratch the eyes. This response usually has the patient scratching their eye, transferring the pathogen to the other eye, where it causes a dual infection of both eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conjunctivitis is a very contagious disease, and patients should avoid physically touching anyone else while they are infected and contagious. The pathogens causing the pink eye infection also spread on surfaces, so wiping your eye and touching a doorknob means you’re likely to infect the next person that touches the doorknob and then unconsciously wipes their eyes later in the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Dry Eye Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dry eye syndrome describes an auto-immune disorder affecting the normal production of fluids <\/a>in the eyes. The affected individual will notice a decline in the fluids producing tears, and they also experience severe redness in the white of the eyes. In extreme cases, patients suffering from dry eye syndrome feel like they have sand or git under their eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this sensation usually occurs due to the formation of blisters under the eyelid, leading to the scratchy feeling on the eyeball. The irritation can get severe if the patient remains undiagnosed and untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, it’s easy for medical professionals to treat this condition using medicated eye drops. People who suffer from dry eye syndrome notice their condition worsens in dry climates, such as Arizona. They may also find that they experience attacks during the change of seasons or during a dry season where there is little moisture in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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