Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common eye condition that makes your eyelids red, sore and itchy. The name might sound scary, but it's usually not serious and you can often manage it at home.

What does blepharitis look like?

If you have blepharitis, you might notice:

• Sore, red eyelids that feel itchy
• Your eyes feel gritty, like there's sand in them
• Small flakes or crusty bits around your eyelashes
• Your eyelids stick together when you wake up in the morning

The symptoms often come and go - you might feel fine for a while, then they come back again.

What causes blepharitis?

Several things can cause blepharitis:

• Bacteria that normally live on your skin
• Skin conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis (a type of eczema)
• When the tiny oil glands in your eyelids don't work properly

The good news is that blepharitis can't spread from person to person - you can't catch it from someone else.

How to treat blepharitis at home

The main treatment is keeping your eyelids clean. Here's how:

Clean your eyelids twice a day:

1. Soak a clean flannel or cotton wool in warm water
2. Place it on your closed eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes
3. Gently massage your eyelids for about 30 seconds
4. Use cotton wool or a cotton bud to clean along the edge of your eyelids
5. You can add a tiny amount of baby shampoo to the water to help remove flakes and crusts

Keep cleaning even when you feel better - this helps stop the blepharitis coming back.

What to avoid

While you have symptoms:

• Don't wear contact lenses
• Don't use eye makeup, especially eyeliner and mascara

Getting help from a pharmacist

Your local pharmacist can suggest helpful products like:

• Special eye pads and wipes for cleaning
• Eye drops to help with dryness

When to speak to your GP

You should book an appointment with your GP if:

• Your symptoms don't get better even though you're cleaning your eyelids regularly
• Your symptoms get worse

Your GP might prescribe antibiotic cream or ointment for your eyelids. If blepharitis has caused other problems like a cyst (a small lump of fluid), you might need antibiotic eye drops or tablets.

For severe blepharitis, your GP might refer you to an eye specialist.

When to get urgent help

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if you have:

• Pain in your eyes
• Changes to your vision, like blurred sight or vision loss
• Very red eyes

These could be signs of a more serious eye problem that needs immediate attention.

Living with blepharitis

While blepharitis can be annoying, most people manage it well with regular eyelid cleaning. The key is being patient and consistent with your cleaning routine, even when symptoms improve.

Remember, if you're worried about your symptoms or they're not getting better, speak to your GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.