Treatment info for Blepharitis

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Has anyone found treatment info specifically for Blepharitis? I'm told the same old things like "scrub with baby shampoo" and I'm not getting any better.

I'm frustrated and hope that some doctor somewhere has studied this terrible condition - and just want to find the answers!

Thank you,

Oliver, London

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  • Posted

    Hi, My symptoms seem to be a bit different from every one else but just as depressing.

    I've been going to our eye hospital every 3 months for about 3 years now and no change. I was told it was Blepharitis at the beginning and told all about the lid hygiene which I fathfully followed....no luck.

    One of my biggest problems is that my eyes are running....not just watering, so bad that people have stopped me in the street and asked what is wrong {they think I'm crying} So cant keep makeup on, cant even put any eye make up on. One of the last letters to my GP said Bilateral epiphora secondary to perennial rhinitis!!!!

    I've had drops, cream you name it and nothing has helped....the main thing he prescribed at the beginning was a nose spray? Vaseline helps my eyelids when they are itchy but the tears are the main thing with me.

    Anyone else come across anything like this

    Eileen

    • Posted

      Yes, it happened to me. It's because the oil glands inside your eyes, which produce the oil that coats your eyes and keeps your tears in, are not functioning properly.
  • Posted

    Does anyone else wear mascara or do you avoid using it because of blepharitis?

    Lynda: Benzethonium Chloride - I did some research on that and that's the ingredient that is found in antiseptic hand wipes, I didn't know that was safe to use on your eyes. Does the wetness get into your eyes? I'd be afraid it would cause damage to the eyes since it's not specifically designed for eye use. However, I'm very interested to learn more.

    Thank you!

    Victoria

    • Posted

      Dear Victoria,

      Blepharitis is caused by staphylococcus. These wipes killed it for me. A friend used an antibacterial facial scrub with Benzethonium Chloride in it and killed it first.

      I tore each wipe into 8 sections so only a small piece went around my finger.

      The wipes do have o.3% Benzethonium Chloride. I had read the back wrong and thought it was 03%. Bottom line it did kill it. That is because it kills staphylococcus.

      If you are allergic to shampoos, detergents or fabric softeners or hand wipes or even spermicidal jellies you should not use it. Most people are not allergic. They have lanolin and some are allergic to that too.

      There have been many who are having good results besides me.

      One person has had Bleph for 20 years and after using the wipes her eyelashes grew back in. Some have the oil problem and others gunk in eye. Staphylococcus presents itself with many symptoms it seem.

      You do not put these in the eye. Wipe only the eyelash area.

      They are in the detergent family (Quats-ammonium salt compounds).

      Google the words and seed how they work.

      I would do it again if I get it again. Dry eyes seem to not be able to wash out bacterial like normal eyes.

      I used mascara and killed it at the same time. It involves throw away mascara wands. If you need that info let me know.

      You need to use 2 wash cloths each time you wash your face. One for each eye. I used white ones (to be able to put into the bleach load).

      Hope this info helps you.

      Lynda79

    • Posted

      Hi Lynda

      Just sent an update on my eyes but forgot a few things so here goeswink

      I had to go for my yearly eye test. I wear reading glasses but no distance glasses. This was the beginning of April {Its Now July} The optician said I wasnt "legal " to drive ...I needed distance glasses and much stronger reading oneseek

      OK....got them made up and after a couple of weeks my eyes {with the glasses were blurred}. I went back and saw {just the receptionist} someone who said clean them with a certain product....I did that, didnt work, back again, was given some other advice....no luck, back again and insisted on a re test......The same person that did them the first time came out, as we were going in to the room he said "your eyes are much better than the last time" They aren't red or inflammed. He did another eye test. He then said ...good news and bad news.....the good news is you dont need such strong reading glasses and you dont need distance glasses at alleek  The bad news is you have already bought themsad He has changed the lens on the reading glasses to weaker ones and the distance ones.....he was going to make them  into reading ones but I have enough of them so asked him to put plain glass in them......I still need protection sometimes from wind etc {the frames are lovely.....hows that for vanitybiggrin}

      So thats an improvement isnt it? I have an appointment next week with the hospital eye dept. The ones that  kept giving me different creams and tablets......it will be interesting to see what they saywink

      Love

      Eileen

    • Posted

      there is no way I can wear makeup with this.......my case is severe.  I wear nothing but tinted moisturizer.  Since I have to apply wet ones 4xaday and wash 3x a day plus the redness and swollen eyes make it impossible to even think of makeup.
    • Posted

      Dear KP1953,

      The 4 times a day with wet ones is just for a week or a little past and then cut down. You can use 2 times a day. You may be doing too much. The wet ones wipes kill Staph and so does Tea Tree oil. 

      Honey is working for some too.

      You may be drying yours eyes out. 

      Dena, on this site, mentioned putting Tea Tree Oil in the baby shampoo and that is helping her. You need to check her ratio on what to use.

      Try one thing at a time or else you will not know what is not working for you.

      Hope this helps,

      Lynda79

  • Posted

    Hi Eileen,

    I've done a lot of research and what you have doesn't sound like blepharitis. Bleph is due to dry eyes and if you have running eyes all the time, I don't suspect it the products we recommend will help. However, it is due to block ducts so the warm compress may help. I am going to purchase the Eye Bag that was referred on here. You use it as warm compress for 10 minutes 2x a day...I can't imagine that wouldn't open some ducts.

    I found this page for you: I hope it's helpful.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169397.php

    Emis Moderator comment: We have a leaflet on epiphora here https://patient.info/health/watering-eyes-epiphora

    • Posted

      I was told by a psychologist blepharitis can be caused induced by medications and can be temporary or long lasting sort of like tardive dyskinesia not caused by dry eyes but I was encouraged to use lubricant drops without redness relief formulas.
  • Posted

    Victoria,

    Benzethonium Chloride is the ingredient in the WET ONES antibacterial hand wipes. This is what I used to get rid of Blepharitis. I had no problems with it hurting my eyes. I used it on the eyelashes not in my eyes. The relief was immense.

    My friend got rid of her Blepharitis using a facial scrub from Avon (can't seem to find anymore) that had Benzethonium Chloride in it. When I couldn't find it I looked on line for the products that had Benzethonium Chloride in them. That is how I ended up using the hand wipes.

    This infection is in the roots of the eyelashes and that is why it takes a while to get rid of it. A Dr. I blogged on his site asked me if I rinsed after using them and I said "No".

    This killed the Blepharitis. There were 3 Dr.'s trying to find it in my eyes. This included the Dr. who diagnosed the Blepharitis.

    My friend's Blepharitis was moving up her eyelids and that is why she used a facial scrub. I am so greatful she did.

    This makes 2 people using 2 different products that got rid of the Blepharitis. Benzethonium Chloride is the ingredient in both or these products.

    Now for the mascara question. Yes you can use mascara but you do not want to infect your eyes over and over again. I threw out a lot of makeup. I bought throw away mascara wands on the internet by the hundreds. You need to buy a new mascara and use 2 throw away wands each time. One for each eye. Never put a used wand in the mascara. Never use one wand on both eyes. There are now mascaras that have small lids with them.

    There are throw away cotton (not swabs) applicators. One end is sharp and the other is flat. Drug store is a good place to find them or makeup place. I bought a new dark gray eye shadow (could use black) and used 2 throw away applicators each time and never put a used one into the clean makeup. I used that for eyeliner or shadow.

    When you use the WET ONES you need to do it 4 times a day to start for a week or so then go down to 3 times for a month then 2 times a day for 2 months. After that my eyes only itched once or twice and I used the wipes a time or two more and the Blepharitis was gone.

    I have no ill affects from using these wipes and I have been checked out by 3 Dr.'s trying to find it in my eyes. I am sure they would have noticed if there was damage to my eyelashes. They told me it would come back. I told them it has been 4-5 months. Now it has been 6-7 months since it has been gone.

    This is a simple cure the same as antibiotics are now the cure for ulcers. This is not a joke, I am a Grandmother and I am trying to get relief to people because it nearly drove me crazy. If one or two people get rid of it, my time will not have been wasted.

    I hope you find the relief that I did.

    Lynda

    • Posted

      Hi Lynda,

      Could you tell me where exactly on the eyelid you used the wet one? In the eyelid margin/inner rim or underneath? 

    • Posted

      Hi Lynda,

      I've been suffering with eye issues now on and off for 2.5 years. I've been prescribed and tried antibiotic ointments, steroid eye drops, and had superb religious hygiene habits and nothing helped. I also had allergy testing done to help find root cause, eliminated most allergens in my home and still nothing.  Also I've had my eyelids expressed every 3 months and the problem continued to persist even after discarding of makeup.  So......I just cleansed my eyelashes with wet ones and already feel relief!  My lower lids feel less swollen only an hour later and already the itching has subsided. I feel very encouraged and plan to continue this treatment multiple times per day as mentioned. I don't have any allergies to the wet ones and haven't exoerienced any stinging mentioned by other users. Thank you for this wonderful information and help! I'll provide an update in next week or so but am hopeful that I'll have great news! smile 

    • Posted

      Dear Alissa,

      I hope all goes well for you. Don't forget to use 2 different wash cloths for your eyes if cleaning your face.

      You can wear mascara and kill it at the same time too. You have to buy throw away wands and new mascara. Never double dip. I took it off when I came home too.

      Hope to hear how you are doing next week.

      Lynda79

       

    • Posted

      Dear Alissa,

      Forgot to mention to use 2 wands when using mascara. One for each eye.

      Don't want to reinfect as one eye could get better at a faster rate then the other on.

      Sorry, forgot to mention that.

      Lynda

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