Allergic blepharitis is a disease of the ocular apparatus resulting from the individual intolerance of certain substances. As a rule, an ailment affects both organs of vision. But in the presence of hypersensitivity to cosmetics, a one-sided pathological process is observed. The article talks about allergic blepharitis, its symptoms and therapy.
Pathology Features
An ailment can provoke complications and worsen the appearance of the patient. To reduce the likelihood of such consequences will help timely access to a specialist, diagnosis and properly selected therapy, which is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of allergic blepharitis, you should not postpone the visit to the doctor.
What is a disease? This is a process of inflammation that affects the eyelids (upper and lower). Irritation and red skin tone, discomfort and a feeling of itching occur under the influence of external factors.
Allergic blepharitis in mcb 10 is indicated by code H01.1. By this concept is meant a lesion of the anterior or posterior edge of the eyelids. Sometimes the disease affects the upper part of the organ of vision, next to the eyelash growth line. There are cases of development of inflammation in the sebaceous glands. This type of pathology leads to disruption of the ocular apparatus.
Factors that trigger the onset of the disease
According to ICD 10, allergic blepharitis refers to diseases of the skin of the eyelids that are not associated with infection. Its appearance is due to the following reasons:
- The use of medications (drops or ointments for treating eyes) that cause the patient to be hypersensitive.
- Hypersensitivity to cosmetic products.
- Negative reaction of the body to dust, feathers from pillows and animal fur, pollen.
- The influence of pathogens of infectious diseases.
- Intolerance to products related to household chemicals.
In medical practice, there are cases when allergic blepharitis is accompanied by other pathologies (angioedema, urticaria, rhinitis). This situation is usually associated with the use of products or drugs that cause a negative reaction of the body.
Types of disease
The types of allergic blepharitis include:
- Isolated form. The pathological process extends only to the corners of the organs of vision.
- Front marginal type. The disease affects the outer eyelids. The remaining tissues remain healthy.
- Postcranial form. The disease affects the eyelid region in the area of eyelash growth. This variety is considered the most serious.
In addition, the ailment can occur in acute and chronic form. In the first case, it is easily amenable to therapy. In the second case, when contacts with substances provoking individual intolerance occur, relapse is observed. Inflammatory processes in the eyelid region not only worsen the appearance and general condition of the patient, but also adversely affect visual function. In the acute type of ailment, ignoring hygiene standards leads to the further development of infection, which complicates the course of the disease.
How to recognize the presence of pathology?
In case of allergic blepharitis, the symptoms are as follows:
- Red tint of the skin on the surface of the eyelids, the occurrence of swelling. In some patients, edema is small. For others, it looks huge and does not allow you to open your eyes completely.
- Itching and burning sensation. As a result of discomfort, the patient combs and rubs the skin on the surface of the eyelids. This leads to mechanical damage: cracks, sores, wounds.
- Excessive flow of tear fluid, intolerance to bright lighting.
- Feeling of a foreign object on the mucous membrane of the eyes.
- Dark shade of the skin on the surface of the eyelids.
With advanced pathology, there is a loss of eyelashes, the appearance of scars. In place of scars, bald patches remain. This is due to a change in the nature of the tissues of the eyelids. Eyelashes or no longer grow, or form incorrectly. Experts warn of the likelihood of such a complication, talking about allergic blepharitis, symptoms and treatment. The photo clearly demonstrates the external signs of pathology.
In addition, the acute form of the ailment leads to severe discomfort, which prevents the patient from sleeping normally, and from working. In the chronic process of inflammation, there is a burning sensation and constant swelling of the skin in the eyelid region, the fragility of eyelashes.
Diagnostic procedures
Continuing to talk about allergic blepharitis, symptoms and treatment of the disease, it should be noted that if symptoms occur, the patient should consult a specialist in the field of ophthalmology. Surveys include:
- External examination of the organs of vision.
- Laboratory analysis of scraping from the eyelashes and the mucous membrane of the eyes.
- Examination with a medical device - a slit lamp.
- Conducting allergic tests to determine the substance that provokes individual intolerance.
- Laboratory blood test.
Therapies
In case of signs of allergic blepharitis, the treatment consists, first of all, in eliminating or reducing contact with a substance that causes a negative reaction of the body. To reduce the symptoms of individual intolerance, a person needs to use antihistamines, drugs that improve metabolic processes in tissues, drops to fight microbes. In addition, physiotherapy procedures are used as methods of therapy, for example:
- Pulse current treatment. This method helps to restore follicles, growth and strengthening of weak eyelashes.
- Galvanophoresis. This event is aimed at improving the functioning of the immune system, protecting the body from germs.
- Procedures using UHF radiation. They contribute to increased blood circulation. They are used for quick healing of affected tissues.
- UV treatment. Helps fight toxic compounds and substances that cause individual intolerance, restores skin integuments.
Physiotherapy with this ailment not only eliminates the signs of the inflammatory process, but also helps to avoid complications. The type of procedure and its duration are determined taking into account the age category of the patient.
Antihistamine medications
For allergic blepharitis, the following drugs are recommended:
- "Tsetrin."
- "Allergo."
- Xizal.
- The Zodak.
As a rule, the duration of therapy with such drugs varies from seven to fourteen days. At the discretion of the doctor, the treatment period is extended. In some cases, you have to switch to another medication. Antihistamines are not only tablets, but also drops for the eyes.
These include:
- "Opatanol."
- "Allergodil."
- Lecrolin.
The required number of drops and the duration of therapy should be determined by the doctor.
Other treatments
To avoid the further spread of the infectious process, bacteria-destroying agents are recommended. They are sold in the form of drops. This group of medicines includes:
- Maxitrol.
- Toradex.
- Normax.
In severe forms of the inflammatory process, stronger drugs are prescribed, for example:
- Hydrocortisone ointment.
- Drops "Prenacid" and "Fluorometholone."
If the patient experiences a pronounced sensation of dry mucous membranes, he is recommended such drugs:
- Chilobak.
- "Vizin."
- Hilo-Chest.
- "Oftanik."
When ulcers form on the surface of the eyelids, the following drugs are prescribed:
- Sofradex
- Okomistin.
- Tobrex.
During the entire period of therapy, patients should abandon the use of cosmetic products (mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, creams and lotions). In addition, it is not recommended to use contact means for vision correction. It is important to avoid long work at the computer, not to strain your eyes, not to comb the inflamed skin.
Alternative methods of therapy
The remedies based on medicinal plants will help get rid of unpleasant sensations. However, such methods should be used as adjunctive rather than primary therapy. Similar methods include:
- Tinctures and decoctions made from chamomile flowers, calendula, eucalyptus leaves.
- Means should be used to rub the skin around the eyes at least 5 times a day.
- Boric acid solution. The drug is used to treat eyelids.
- Compresses made from fresh cottage cheese wrapped in gauze.
- Lotions of honey in the amount of 1 large spoon and a decoction of raw onions. The tool is used 5-6 times a day. It promotes the growth and strengthening of weak eyelashes.
- Thyme decoction. Used to combat the process of inflammation.
Prevention of ailment
For the prevention of allergic blepharitis (code for mcb 10 H01.1), the following rules must be observed:
- Avoid exposure to factors that provoke individual intolerance.
- Wear sunny sunglasses in sunny weather.
- To prevent relapse, apply decoctions made from calendula, chamomile, eucalyptus leaves.
- Refuse cosmetic products, lenses.
- Do not strain your eyes.