Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) and other diseases characterized by damage to the skin folds around the eyes should be treated in the same way as any other disease - only after determining the exact cause. This pathological condition is one of the most common reasons for visiting an ophthalmologist.
In brief about provoking factors
Most often this violation occurs as a result of a viral or bacterial infection of the mucosa. It is no coincidence that children are at risk for blepharitis. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the skin through contact with unwashed hands and airborne droplets. The following can play a negative role here:
- weakened immune system;
- long exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- eye injury;
- stress;
- allergy.
Cosmetics of dubious quality are capable of causing inflammation of the eyelid. In children, swelling and redness of the eyelids may not go away for a long time due to prolonged crying. Often this disease affects people sitting at the computer.for several hours in a row.
Types of eyelid diseases
When people talk about inflammation, they most often mean blepharitis. It can be unilateral and bilateral. Blepharitis rarely acts as an independent disease, more often it develops secondary to infectious conjunctivitis, keratitis. Pathologies are accompanied by characteristic signs:
- crusts form on the skin of the eyelids;
- eye itches a lot;
- increased lacrimation;
- eyelashes fall out intensively;
- fatigue of the organs of vision increases.
In addition to blepharitis, styes (inside or outside) may develop on the eyelids. The pathology is characterized by the formation of a tubercle in which a purulent mass accumulates. The cause of the appearance of barley on the eye, which in medicine is called a chalazion, is a staphylococcal infection. In complicated cases, an abscess is possible.
How to treat eyelid inflammation
Drugs alone are not enough to treat blepharitis. They will be powerless if the patient scratches his eyes or watches TV for a long time, is at the computer monitor. For recovery, it is also necessary to strengthen the immune system, include only he althy foods in a nutritious diet.
As for the drugs that are used to treat inflammation of the eyelids, first of all it is worth noting antiseptics. The type of infectious agent in this case does not matter - before antibiotic therapy, it is necessaryapply a disinfecting antimicrobial drug (for example, "Chlorhexidine"). For the speedy removal of inflammation, it is appropriate to use systemic hormonal drugs (Alomid, Lecrolin, Maxitrol, Dexamethasone), as well as external ointments (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone). If the cause of blepharitis is a bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed, as well as eye drops and ointment with an antibacterial component (tetracycline ointment, sodium sulfacyl). In the absence of pus, only local remedies are used.
Is there an alternative to pharmaceutical medicines
Instead of antiseptics, you can use simpler and at the same time safe means: tea brewing, as well as a decoction of chamomile, calendula or cornflower. More details about folk remedies will be described in one of the following sections.
If inflammation of the eyelid of the eye was triggered by dust, smoke or bright light, it can disappear without any intervention after the irritant is removed.
Blepharitis is often provoked by an allergic reaction, in particular, it is a manifestation of spring hay fever. To cure the disease, it is enough to give up walking in parks and alleys with flowering plants for a while, as well as undergo a course of treatment with antihistamines.
What to do if the lower eyelid is affected
Barley usually comes from below. Inflammation of the lower eyelid is complemented by noticeable hyperemia and edema. Pus accumulates in the affected area, painful sensations appear.
The easiest way to treat barley is to put an antibacterial eye ointment based on erythromycin, tetracycline under the lower eyelid. You can not do without anti-inflammatory painkillers drops. With chalazion, Floksal, Tobrex, Levomycetin are used. Before instilling eyes, wash your hands thoroughly and warm the bottle in your palms.
How to cure upper
Drugs to eliminate blepharitis are selected by an ophthalmologist depending on the type of disease. With a scaly type of illness, tetracycline ointment is used. She treats the inflamed eyelid after washing with an antiseptic. Albucid ointment is also suitable for treatment if the patient does not have sores on the skin. At the end of the procedure, the eyes are instilled with disinfecting drops.
If blepharitis was provoked by parasites, the patient is prescribed anthelmintic drugs. With inflammation of the upper eyelid caused by a fungal infection, external antimycotics are used. In parallel, specialists can prescribe drugs to maintain and strengthen immune forces.
Inflammation around the eyes in children
The pathological process on the eyelids can occur not only in adults. Moreover, in preschool children, conjunctivitis and blepharitis are among the most common eye diseases. In infants, inflammation of the eyelids is caused by obstruction of the lacrimal duct or its narrowing.
It is difficult to notice a pathology in a baby in the early stages, when there are no symptoms. If the child has increased lacrimation, the eyelid turns red andpurulent discharge from the conjunctiva is observed, it is necessary to consult a doctor without delay.
Many mothers make a huge mistake when, with symptoms of inflammation, they start washing their eyes with breast milk. Such actions can only aggravate the condition of the baby, as they contribute to an even greater reproduction of the pathogenic flora. For washing the eyes of a child, you can use either a pharmacy antiseptic or chamomile infusion of low concentration.
What is meibomite
If the sebaceous glands become inflamed, internal barley is diagnosed. The official name of the disease is meibomite. How to treat inflammation of the eyelid in this case? It's simple: the same as purulent blepharitis.
Pathology can be acute and chronic, which is important when choosing medicines. With meibomite, a seal is formed, inside which pus is contained. If treatment is started as early as possible, at the first manifestations, it will be possible to cope with the disease with the help of antibacterial agents (Floxal, Normax, Ciprofarm, Normax, Levomycetin).
It is better to refrain from using compresses and lotions, as they can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition. Recurrent meibomite often declares problems with the immune system. In addition, inflammation of the eyelids (the photo showing what the affected eye looks like can be seen above) may indicate diabetes or disorders in the endocrine system. In severe cases, the patient may besurgical treatment recommended.
Can chronic chalazion be cured
If the inflammatory process occurs on the inside of any of the eyelids, a chalazion is diagnosed. Most often, the disease develops against the background of blockage of the meibomian glands. With a long course of the disease, the purulent contents are covered with a film and the barley turns into a cyst, which increases in size over time.
Experts believe that the cause of chronic chalazion is excessive production of sebum, a lack of B vitamins in the body. Demodex parasitic mite can also infect the lower or upper eyelid.
If the size of the cyst does not exceed 4 mm, the inflamed edges of the eyelid are treated with an ointment with a steroid component, most often containing hydrocortisone or dexamethasone. The patient is recommended to undergo a course of UHF therapy in order to improve blood circulation. Treatment of acute chalazion involves instillation of Floxal, Tobradex or Ciprolet every 3-4 hours.
If there is a formation of more than 5 mm in diameter, surgery is performed and pus is removed. Doctors resort to a surgical treatment option in exceptional cases associated with such serious diseases as diabetes mellitus, when conservative methods are ineffective.
How to relieve itching from an inflamed eye
Before using any drugs, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of itching and inflammation. Treatment of the eyelid of the eye will depend on what exactly caused the swelling, rednessor suppuration.
If a person in the recent past experienced severe stress or did not get enough rest, it is likely that he will be able to cure himself without any medication. To recover, you will need to reconsider the daily routine and lifestyle. With an allergic form of inflammation, the problem can be solved with the help of antihistamine eye drops. The same answer will be given by experts in the case of insect bites. By the way, doctors advise taking anti-allergic systemic drugs simultaneously with the main drug course, as they help eliminate burning, itching, and swelling on the skin.
Folk treatment
Admirers of alternative therapeutic methods should understand that self-medication, even with the help of natural means, is unacceptable. Before using any folk medicine, you must always consult a doctor.
For severe inflammation of the upper or lower eyelid, home remedies will complement the treatment regimen and allow you to achieve the desired therapeutic effect much faster. The simplest and most common folk medicines are described below:
- Tea wash solution. Fresh strong black tea brew is used (no additives).
- Infusion of chamomile, calendula or oak bark. To prepare a healing solution that has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, you will need one of these components in the amount of two teaspoons per glass of boiling water. Before use, the infusion should be filtered.
- Aloe juice. as drops foreyes, you can use fresh agave juice diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 5 (for 1 tsp of aloe juice 5 tsp of purified water). Apply the medicine three times a day, dripping one drop into each eye.
- Ointment with propolis. Crushed propolis in the amount of 5 g is thoroughly mixed with 100 g of petroleum jelly. The resulting mass is sent to a dark glass jar for a couple of weeks. The container with the ointment should be set aside away from sunlight. When the medicine is ready, it is applied directly to the diseased eyelid and left to act for 15-20 minutes.
- Lotions with millet. In the process of preparing millet porridge, it is necessary to carefully drain the water from the pan so that the millet grains do not fall into the dishes. In the cooled liquid, a gauze bandage is moistened, which must be put directly on the eyes and kept for half an hour.
