Scaly blepharitis is a serious ailment, another name of which is seborrhea of the eyelids. In this case, there is a thickening and redness of the movable skin folds around the eyes. During the inflammatory process, the eyelashes are covered with small scales of epithelial tissue.
Staphylococcus aureus provokes the development of the disease. With seborrhea of the eyelids, not only eyelashes, but also hair, eyebrows can suffer. The severe stage of the disease is extremely difficult to treat.
Itching eyes: causes
The scaly form is considered very dangerous. Health problems may arise due to complications. The most harmless consequence of the disease is eyelash loss. As a result of this, the hair on the head and face deteriorates. Increased lacrimation may occur. The following factors lead to the appearance of seborrheic blepharitis:
- an excess of trace elements and vitamins in the body;
- anemia;
- weakened immunity due to infection;
- deterioration of visual function with astigmatism, hyperopia or nearsightedness;
- neglect of eyelid hygiene;
- dry eye syndrome;
- ophthalmic pathologies;
- allergy;
- metabolic disorder;
- violation of the digestive tract.
Main symptoms
What are the symptoms of squamous blepharitis? They are easy to recognize. With this disease, gluing of eyelashes quite often occurs. The main sign is the appearance on the edges of the eyelids of small particles of a brownish-gray hue that look like dandruff. It should be noted that the scales of the epithelium are quite firmly attached to the dermis. If you remove them, then under them will be depleted and cracked skin, which will be covered with a yellow crust after some time. With complications, erosions and ulcers can even form in this place.
During blepharitis, the lower eyelid turns red, and its edges thicken. Such an ailment is accompanied by severe itching. He is especially worried in the evening. With seborrhea of the eyelids, eye fatigue occurs, they become sensitive to external stimuli: bright light, wind or dust.
In addition, there are symptoms that are characteristic of all forms of blepharitis: swelling of the eyelids and a feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the eye. When wearing contact lenses during an illness, severe burning is a concern. Seborrhea of the eyelids spreads to both eyes. Another common symptom of this pathology is loss and fragility of eyelashes.
Diagnostic measures
When eyes itch, the reasons may be different. In order to find out exactly why this is happening, it is necessary to undergo an examination. The doctor makes a diagnosis only after performing biomicroscopy. During this procedure, eyelid skin is examined using a slit lamp.
In advanced cases, laboratory studies of the conjunctival tissue are performed, taking a scraping from them. It must be remembered that if you do not treat seborrheic blepharitis with medicines and folk remedies, then after some time (due to disruption of the sebaceous glands), the eyelid will become covered with a yellowish crust. In severe forms of the disease, their posterior walls are smoothed. All this prevents the movable skin folds from adhering to the eyeball.
Scaly blepharitis in the absence of therapy can develop into a chronic stage, which will lead to the loss of eyelashes. You can not let the pathology drift or try to treat it on your own, as it can lead to negative consequences:
- purulent inflammation of the tissues;
- defect and eversion of the movable folds of the eyes;
- improper eyelash growth, that is, trichiasis;
- scarring in the area of scales;
- clouding of the cornea.
Eye compresses
First of all, it is necessary to ensure complete hygienic care of the eyelids in order to clean them of dried particles of the epithelium and reduce the risk of infection. For these purposes, you can use shampoo without perfumes or additives, for example, for children. Before the procedure, it should be diluted with water. Then, a cotton pad is moistened in the resulting mixture and eyes are rubbed, moving from the outer to the inner corner. Fish oil also copes well with eyelid plaque with blepharitis.
After this, it is necessary to clear the ducts of the secret that is secreted by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary several times a day for 10 minutes to warm them with a warm and moist dressing. Compress can be made from a clean towel or any other fabric pre-ironed on all sides.
Massaging the eyelids
With seborrheic blepharitis, ophthalmologists advise performing eye massage during therapy. It is also performed to prevent the development of complications and for preventive purposes. This procedure helps to recover faster and speed up metabolic processes.
To conduct eyelid massage, use a special stick with a recess at one end and a ball at the other. You can buy it at any pharmacy. This device is very convenient to apply ointments.
Scaly blepharitis in children
Treatment of this eye pathology in babies is performed in the same way as in adults. When the first symptoms of seborrhea of the eyelids appear, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor, since the disease cannot be started. In severe cases, it can lead to decreased vision.
Drug use
Scaly blepharitis, the symptoms of which are manifested by swelling and redness of the eyelids, will have to be treated for a long period. It is necessary to carry out not only general, but also local therapy. But before that you need:
- cure chronic diseases;
- improve living conditions;
- get rid of seborrheic eczema;
- increase the body's defenses;
- balance nutrition.
Local treatment involves instillation of special agents in the organs of vision and rubbing of therapeutic ointments into the skin of the eyelids. Ciliary edges, which are covered with scales, must be softened with an emulsion of 1% Synthomycin or fish oil. Then they are treated with antiseptics: a means of "Sulfacyl-sodium" or brilliant green. Only after all these procedures is a medicinal ointment applied.
In the complex treatment of squamous blepharitis, solutions of Sulfapyridazine Sodium, Tsipromeda, Desonida and Prednisolone are also used. They are used for instillation into the conjunctival sac. In addition, Ophthalgel or other drugs with the effect of an artificial tear are often administered dropwise.
A compress from a decoction of calendula will help to achieve anti-inflammatory action. Of course, the treatment process will be tedious and long, but with the correct and constant application of the treatment dressing after 2-3 weeks a positive result will appear.
For external use, agents containing sulfonamides and antibiotics are used. A doctor may also prescribe medications with glucocorticosteroids for seborrhea of the eyelids: “Chloramphenicol”, “Fucidin”, as well as hydrocortisone, dibiomycin or tetracycline ointment. The combination of "Gentamicin" and "Dexamethasone" effectively eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
In the complex therapy of squamous blepharitis, they have an antibacterial and restorative effect on the patient's body. As a rule, with such a disease of the eye, they carry out:
- Electrophoresis with syntomycin or penicillin of the eyelids and eyes through the pad. A few months later, electrotherapy with ascorbic acid and thiamine is performed.
- UHF. This treatment method eliminates inflammation and normalizes blood circulation in the tissues of the eye.
- Darsonvalization. They resort to such a procedure for mild forms of seborrhea of the eyelids.
Alternative treatments
With the right approach, scaly blepharitis in the early stages can be eliminated by alternative methods. But one should take into account the fact that a disease without complex therapy can return at any time.
It will help to cope with the disease of aloe. Juice from the leaves of the agave is filtered through sterile cheesecloth, folded four times. It is advisable to slightly heat the filtered liquid in a water bath. With this healing solution, two drops of eye are instilled every evening.
To get rid of blepharitis, it is recommended to use green and black tea. When the first symptoms of pathology occur, these ingredients are mixed and poured with boiling water. Tea should turn out strong, after which 5 ml of dry wine is poured into it. The mixture is wiped with eyelids at least 6 times a day.
For the treatment of such a pathology, burdock oil can be used. It is applied to the movable skin folds around the eyes. It has a bactericidal and tonic effect. Before use, the squeeze from the roots of burdock should be slightly heated. The tool treats the eyelids in the morning and evening. It is still desirable to lubricate problem areas with olive or almond oil.
With seborrheic blepharitis, a decoction of chamomile and calendula is prepared. Take 2 grams of dry raw materials and pour into 250 ml of hot water. The resulting herbal drink must be consumed throughout the day. In addition, clean basil leaves should be applied to the affected areas of the eyes. They should be kneaded in advance a little before the juice.
How to prevent the development of seborrhea of the eyelids?
Scaly blepharitis is an extremely unpleasant ailment. To avoid its appearance, you should follow some tips:
- Always wash your face and hands thoroughly after working in dusty rooms.
- Observe good hygiene practices.
- Do not touch your eyes with dirty hands, especially when using contact lenses. Before using and removing them, wash your hands.
- In chemical production, always wear special safety glasses.
If the first signs of the disease occur, you should immediately visit the clinic. Self-medication and inaction can lead to decreased vision. Only an experienced specialist is able to establish an accurate diagnosis and choose the best treatment.