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Eye Diseases:
Blepharitis
If your eyelid rims are red and irritated, if they burn and itch or if
you've noticed an oily discharge or scaly skin around them, you may
have an inflammatory problem called "blepharitis". Some people
describe it as "psoriasis of the eyelids".
Blepharitis may be either of two main types or a combination of them.
Seborrheic
blepharitis
Characterized by an excessive discharge of oil/grease from the skin
around the eyelids. It is usually accompanied by similarly greasy hair
and skin.
Staphylococcal blepharitis
A bacterial infection. It is more likely to result in infective eyelid
conditions, such as styes.
What are the
treatments?
To treat seborrheic blepharitis, keep the lid edges and surrounding
skin clean by regularly scrubbing the area with a mild soap. Medicated
pads specifically designed for this are also available. For
staphylococcal blepharitis, ointments containing antibiotics and
sulfonamides should be applied to the edges of the eyelids with a
cotton ball.
While
over-the-counter treatments for blepharitis are available, it is
advisable to seek professional help the first time you experience the
condition. If you have had blepharitis before and had experience with
its treatment, using the over-the-counter ointments may be adequate.
But, whether you have had the condition before or not, if the
blepharitis is infectious, you should get appropriate treatment as
soon as possible to reduce the risk of having the infection spread and
cause more serious conditions.
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