Added: 12/14/2005 |
Eyelid infections are not seriousEyelid infections are usually represented in the form of pimples on the eyelids. The infections are rather common; they look painful and cause a lot of discomfort. Nevertheless, they are not serious.
Blepharitis is one of the most common eyelid infections. Blepharitis is a bacterial infection on the meibomian glands. It is characterized by such symptoms as swollen, itchy and red eyelids, greasy soft scales on the margins of the lower and upper eyelids, crusting of eyelids and sticking eyelashes upon waking.
It is worthy of note that blepharitis may be caused by some allergic reactions to cosmetics. In this case, the condition is represented in the form of dry eyes and skin disorders called seborrhoeic dermatitis.
The infection affects meibomian glands when the oils of these glands change into acid-like compounds that are able to irritate the eye and cause its redness. Skin irritation and bacterial growth are caused by excess oils. More irritation is stimulated by scale formation.
The symptoms can move from one eye to another. The severity of the condition can be different. The disease may last for weeks and even months. Recurrences are rather common.
Doctors advise some self-treatment in case of eyelid infections. It is recommended to wash your eyelids with warm water at least two times a day. It is possible to perform the procedure with baby shampoo, topical and oral antibiotics and different commercial preparations. The symptoms may be relieved by putting warm clean damp cloth on the closed eyelids for ten minutes about four times a day. As for blepharitis of allergic nature, it tends to improve without any medication.
But it is of paramount importance to consult the doctor if the infection repeats or gets worse. The doctor may prescribe you some antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics.
Other types of eyelid infections are styes and meibomian cysts.
As for styes, they are usually caused by the infection of the eyelash root. Styes are red, tender and painful swelling on the eyelid edge. It is a large pimple that can be considered as an equivalent of a boil somewhere else on the skin. A stye opens to discharge the pus for only some days. After that it disappears. Styes as well as pimples are not that serious.
There are some tips, which will help the stye come out quicker. In this case the doctor's consultation is not obligatory. It is advisable to put a warm compress to the stye for several minutes about 6 times a day. It will make the stye come to the head and drain quicker. For this procedure, it is enough to dip some clean cloth into the warm water and hold it on the eyelid. It is necessary to be careful not to burn the eyelid.
As for meibomian cysts, they may look like styes but the conditions are different. Meibomian cysts appear on lower or upper eyelids or on both of them. They appear when glands get blocked and don't burst spontaneously. Another name for a meibomian cyst is chalazion. Meibomian cysts may disappear without treatment. As for the treatment, it is warm compresses again.
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