Inflammation of the eyelids can affect the margins and cause irritation. In medical terms inflamed eyelid is called Blepharitis and it is a nuisance causing discomfort. It is one of the recurring eye diseases caused by Allergy, bacterial infection and many other factors. The symptoms can be managed by treatment. But it is a chronic problem and usually both the eyes are affected.
Causes :
Inflamed eyelid can develop due to number of causes. Environmental irritants like fumes, smoke, dust and chemicals can affect the soft tissue of the eyes causing irritation and inflammation. When the eyelid sheds off the skin in the immediate proximity of eyelids, it can cause inflammation.
Bacterial infection can cause inflamed eyelid causing ulcerous growth and pus inside. It is the Staphylococcus that often causes eyelid inflammation. Any underlying medical conditions like eye disease or Skin Cancer can affect the eyes. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a type of skin condition affecting eyelids. Sometimes, meibomian glands can produce excess of oil leading to inflamed eyelid.
Symptoms :
Inflamed eyelid can cause constant irritation and swelling of eyes. It gives you the feeling that someone has dropped sand on your eyes. Eyelids become soar. The eyelids become reddish and cause itchy feeling. It may feel warm to touch. In most of the cases there will be blurred vision as though a tear film has spread over the eyes. In addition, if the inflamed eyelid is due to infection it can cause yellow or greenish fluid from the eyes. It is sticky in nature and in the mornings you can have problem in opening your eyes. In case of seborrheic dermatitis dry flaky patches can develop on your eyes causing persistent irritation.
Complications :
Inflamed eyelid is not serious and will not cause any complication. In extreme cases it can cause stye (high infection on the follicle of eyelids), and Chalazion (swelling of inside of eyelids due to blockage of oily secretion). It may not be possible for you to wear contact lens if you develop inflammation on eyelids. Conjunctivitis can develop causing sore eyes with watery discharge. Eyelashes can lose pigment and lost in rare cases.
Diagnosis :
An ophthalmologist will look into your eyes using special microscope to determine the cause of inflamed eyelid.
Home Remedies :
Most of the problems related to inflammation of eyelids will go off if you maintain good eye hygiene. Firstly you should restrain from wearing contact lenses once you have developed problems in your eyes. Avoid using any cosmetics on your eyes and also on your face.
Warm compress is effective to cleanse and remove the dirt or watery discharge from the eyes. Take soft cotton clothing and soak it in warm water for few minutes. Now gently apply this cloth on the infected eyes for 10-15 minutes. This will reduce inflammation and irritation and give quick relief. Repeat this process for several times a day.
After applying warm compression you can go for gentle massage. Use your middle finger and index finger and gently move the finger from the inner corner of the eyelid to the other end. First you can do this massage for upper eyelid and repeat the same for lower eyelid. Use cotton swab gently to remove the oily discharge or yellowish pus from the eyelid margins. You can dilute the swab with mild baby shampoo. Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the eyelids to prevent infection from spreading.
Treatment :
Often blepharitis or eye inflammation is recurring in nature. Inflamed eyelid can be managed through regular hygiene and medications. Clean your eyelids regularly using soft cotton swab to remove the debris. Soothe your eyelids using warm compression and gently massage it for few seconds. By applying warmth, the inner parts of the skin will let lose the crusts and any oily discharge from the glands will also flow freely.
Your ophthalmologist would prescribe eye drops to treat any possible infection. Mild antibiotic ointment is enough to manage the symptoms and reducing inflammation. In severe cases of infection she may prescribe cortisone drops. You need to complete the course of treatment to prevent the eye infection to recur. In some cases the doctor would prescribe oral antibiotics also for more serious case of blepharitis.
