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Blepharitis is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. Redness, scales and crusts, or shallow ulcers may also appear. The disease is common, especially in children, and often affects the upper and lower eyelids of both eyes.
Causes
Infection of eyelash follicles and oil glands by Staphylococcus bacteria causes blepharitis with ulcers. The nonulcerous variety may be due to an allergic reaction or lice, or it may be linked to seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory scaling of the scalp, the eyebrows, and sometimes the ears.
Symptoms
Symptoms of blepharitis include itching, burning, red-rimmed eyes; swelling of the lids; loss of eyelashes; and irritation of the underside of the lid, as if dirt or sand were underneath. The eyes may tear and be sensitive to light. In ulcerous blepharitis, the tough, dry crusts that form leave a bleeding surface when removed. In nonulcerous blepharitis, greasy, easily removed scales appear on the edges of the lids.
Treatment
Blepharitis caused by a bacterial infection can be treated with an antibiotic ointment, such as erythromycin or bacitracin, that is specially formulated for use around the eyes. The medication is usually applied three times a day to the eyelash margins. Before applying the medication, scrub the lids gently with a cotton-tipped swab dampened with water or baby shampoo. Crusts should be gently removed. Medicated eyedrops may also be used to treat blepharitis.
If an allergy to a cosmetic is the cause, use of the product should be discontinued. If there is scaling on the eyebrows and scalp from seborrheic dermatitis, your doctor is likely to recommend a special sulfur or tar shampoo to control dandruff and a cortisone lotion or cream to be rubbed into hairy areas. Careful attention to cleanliness of hair, scalp, eyebrows, and eyelid margins is necessary during treatment.
If the blepharitis is caused by lice, the nits (lice eggs) should be carefully removed with tweezers, and steps should be taken to keep the patient free of lice.
Both the ulcerous and nonulcerous varieties are difficult to cure and often recur. Nonulcerous blepharitis causes no permanent damage. However, ulcerous blepharitis, if it recurs often enough, can cause scarring of the eyelids, loss of eyelashes, and even ulcers of the cornea.
Prevention
Meticulous cleanliness may help prevent the disease. If it is treated promptly when it occurs, permanent damage can probably be prevented.
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