Blepharitis
Overview
Blepharitis causes swollen, itchy eyelids. It's not usually serious and can often be treated by washing your eyelids every day.
Symptoms
Blepharitis symptoms often come and go. Symptoms of blepharitis include: sore eyelidsitchy eyesa gritty feeling in the eyesflakes or crusts around the roots of the eyelasheseyelids sticking together in the morning when you wake up
Causes
Blepharitis can be caused by: a type of bacteria that lives on the skina skin condition, such as seborrhoeic dermatitisthe glands inside the eyelids not producing enough oil Blepharitis cannot be spread to other people.
Treatment
A GP might suggest using an antibiotic cream or ointment that you rub on your eyelid if your blepharitis does not clear up after cleaning your eyelids regularly. If blepharitis has caused other problems, such as a lump of fluid under the skin (cyst), antibiotic eyedrops or tablets may be recommended. If your blepharitis is severe, or if you also have other eye symptoms, the GP may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Prevention
clean your eyelids twice a day clean your eyelids twice a day continue to clean your eyes, even if your symptoms clear up continue to clean your eyes, even if your symptoms clear up do not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms do not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms do not use eye makeup, especially eyeliner and mascara, while you have symptoms do not use eye makeup, especially eyeliner and mascara, while you have symptoms