How do your flare ups feel?

Posted , 8 users are following.

I am just interested how do you experience flare ups and how often. How do they feel and look?

0 likes, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hello Mark, Fortunately I don't have flare ups as long as I stick to my routine.  I strayed last week and felt the consequences immediately as an itchiness around the lid margins which are almost impossible to ignore and had to rub them making them worse.  It was brought back under control v. quickly.
  • Posted

    Hi Mark,

    For me, a flare up is very hitchy eyelids that I inevitably worsen by rubing my eyes. It then becomes infected eyelids. At that point, I need an antibiotic creme.

    The good news is that I don't get flare ups if I stick to my routine of wipes with Benzathonium Chloride 3 to 4 times daily followed by artificial tears.

    • Posted

      Mark, I only use the wet ones at night and in the morning. It helps a lot. Dena
  • Posted

    Mine is chronic, ongoing, permenant. So its about managing. I find the trad doctor recommendation ineffective. ie., soak area with facecloth, use product on cotton buds to clean. I get better results leaving a product on all night. 
  • Posted

    I am having very good results with Avenova. I had been using WetOnes and they helps a lot. Then when I had a flare my Opthalmologist wanted me to stop using it and try Avenova for two weeks. 

    it is not irritating my eyes or the skin around the eyes and my eyes feel so much better even after just a few days. I still do warm compresses.  I'll report back at the end of the two weeks. Check out their website, it will give you hope.

    • Posted

      lawra, you may find it will last much longer if you dip a q-tip in it and wipe along your eye lid, then a clean q-tip and the other eye. what do you think? Dena
    • Posted

      That may be a good idea once I get my flare under control. Right now it is raw, red, and irritated on both eye lids and under both eyes. Blah...

      Thanks for the idea.

    • Posted

      I had a lot of success using this method. still, my problem is not so much the blefharitis now, but the fact I poured an oil in my eye accidently. Also an extra dose od flaxseed oil seems to help the blefharatis. sorry for your flare up. You'll get it under control I'm sure. smile
    • Posted

      Your post has made me more hopeful that this new treatment routine will get things under control. At first I was down because this condition has no cure. Now, I will be a happy camper if I can get it under control and then stick with a matinance route that prevents flares.

      How are you treating your eyes for the oil problem? I take krill oil daily and decided to add Flaxseed oil topically under my eyes and and on the lids where it is sore, not in the eye or on the lashes though. I am hoping it will help the inflammation and redness under my eyes especially. I look like a raccoon! 

    • Posted

      lawra, this thing can be cured. MANY folks on here are proof of that. Some claim it can't be cured because their's hasn't. I acidently poured eccencel oil in my eye at night, got it mixed up with my eye drops. Duh, smile Any way, Ionly use tap water to clean my eyes. In the morning I wipe my eye lids only with a tiny square of the wet ones wraped around a q-tip. You can irritate your eyes by using to many products, I was using baby shampoo to take off my eye makeu,( which is only eye shadow used for eye liner applied with a q-tip. I may always have some trouble with my right eye because of what I did, but my left eye is practically normal,,. Don't give up, you just need to be patient.
    • Posted

      Oh, I stoped using the baby shampoo to clean my eyes, because it irritated them, I just use tap water, to clean the make up off, and a gentle lotion to cllean it from under my eyes. I use very warm water, it's comforting to the eyes, also you can put rice in a cotton sock, put it in the microwave for about sixty seconds and lay iton your eyes. Put a paper towel under the bag to keep it clean. when our eyes hurt, always apply heat.
  • Posted

    It used to occur about once a year for some reason when my eyes would feel more dry and irritated that usual from just dry eyes (not particular time of year).  It would escalate to red, very swollen and thick eyelids, eyes themselves were red like someone with allergies, worst times pus-like mucous would be in eyes and accumulate in inside corners.  It felt like wet sand had been thrown in my eyes, and the pain would increase over weeks until it was miserable and actually at times felt like there was something in my eye under my lid.  I was sure if a doctor rolled up my eyelid, they would find something lodged there.  On the worst days, my eyes would tear at the outer corners.  There were some days I came home from work with one eye so bad that I had to keep it close to stand the pain and tears were just running out. Typically lasted for months (2-3) with treatment from ophthamologist.  Over the years, the frequency, length, and severity has increased to at least twice a year for several months each episode.
    • Posted

      Do you have a daily lid cleaning routine that you follow between these flares? You must be so frustrated and uncomfortable. My eyes tear at the outer corners and that causes the raw stinging skin irritation around my eyes. 

      I wonder if you can explore matinance treatment alternatives with your Opthalmologist that might lesson the severity of your flares. Does anyone know it there are Dry Eye Specialists?

    • Posted

      There was another thread or discussion when I had explained all this.  I would also get raw area right outside corner of eye from where the skin would be moist a lot I think.  I had that stinging sensation too sometimes.  I have been going to an ophthamologist for 10-12 years and have only gotten worse, occurring more frequently, lasting longer and more severe.  I believe she has no more to offer.  I just took the problem to my long-time dermatologist 5 weeks ago and his initial try was for me to wash with 2% coal tar shampoo twice a day.  WOW  A signicant difference.  The most dramatic improvement I have ever had in such a short time!
    • Posted

      Hi Linda, AT LAST! Someone who has responded positively with the link to coal tar shampoo, I know the stuff stinks but it seems to work for you and definately for me (Capasal).  I couldn't and wouldn't, do without it now, but it must be done every day, do you agree?
    • Posted

      David,  So far I'm totally sold on the treatment of coal tar shampoo for me.  No, I absolutely would not go without it!  Such a great feeling to feel normal and be able to concentrate on something else.  Yes, I agree to use everyday.  Although, my derm suggested that eventually I may not have to use daily.  Unless there's a problem I plan to use daily because I have had so much success.  I wash eyes with it in the shower at night, and at the sink in the morning so actually now I've been using twice a day.  I'm glad this works for you too!
    • Posted

      Laura,  I also use no make up just to avoid any possible irritation.
    • Posted

      Linda, at last a positive response, are we exceptional in that this treatment seems to work? or do other sufferers refuse to try it? maybe we are lucky, I'm no expert but all the docs prescriptions failed, wet wipes failed, flannels(worst thing you can do in my opinion) failed, so why won't others try it?
    • Posted

      If you are UK based then yes, I told my GP I had an unbearable itchy scalp, he diagnosed SD and prescribed 'Capasal', by magic this fixed the SD and the on-going blepharitis.
    • Posted

      The wet ones work great for me, the doc says I'm doing a great job. I would like to try the shampoo, but don't know where to get it. I'm in the US. Dena
    • Posted

      Hello, I know it's available on Amazon but it may be a little expensive out there, let me know.
    • Posted

      No this 2% coal tar shampoo is not a prescription.  My dermatologist just carries a few bottle for patients to purchase if they are interested after trying a sample bottle that he gives to try.  He said it just seems to be harder to find than in the past.  Since it is a shampoo primarily for the hair (extreme dandruff cases),  people hesitated using it because it doesn't smell good.  However, for the eyes it just doesn't really matter to me.  I'm sure you can find it somewhere.  Ask a pharmacist perhaps, or I think some have found it on Amazon.
    • Posted

      Perhaps it just seems to simple to solve such a debilitating condition.  I originally responded in another discussion because I wanted to share the good news!  I have tried so many other things over a period of time and consistently but to NO avail.  I'm sold (so far)! 
    • Posted

      dena, Perhaps you can all a dermatologist also and inquire about this product.
    • Posted

      David, Dena,  I just googled TARSUM medicated shampoo/gel and found lots of places to purchase online.  Take a look!  It's reasonably priced, if you ask me, because the bottle will last forever.  I'm likely to die before I use my entire bottle!  ha  I told my derm that when I got it in his office, and he said it would be good as long it lasts in the bottle.
    • Posted

      Nizoral shampoo has 2.0% coal tar and is sold by Walgreens.

      I have not tried this as yet. I committed to following the current routine my Opthalmologist has me on with Avenova for a full two weeks. I'll see what she says after I see her. However, I will keep this shampoo on my list of alternatives that I might try.

    • Posted

      That's good to know where to purchase the 2% coal tar shampool  Thanks for sharing!
    • Posted

      I'm doing good right now, but it's good to know I have an altrrnative. love this site! smile Dena

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