Eyelash Dandruff: Symptoms of Blepharitis By William Goldstein on March 02, 2018

A case of blepharitisIf you've ever had a puffy, red, inflamed, or swollen eyelid, you might have experienced a condition known as blepharitis. Blepharitis can be uncomfortable, and it can also lead people to feel self-conscious about their appearance given the effect on the eye lids. There are two kinds of blepharitis:

  • Anterior Blepharitis - This type of blepharitis affects the outside edge of the eye where the eyelashes attach.
  • Posterior Blepharitis - This type of blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelid, and can come into contact with a person’s eyeball.

The team at our Shelby Township, MI vision center would like to consider how dandruff may be linked to this condition. We’ll then note some options for management and treatment of blepharitis.

How Is Dandruff Related to Blepharitis?

Dandruff is one of the signs/symptoms associated with blepharitis. People who suffer from blepharitis may notice serious dandruff on their scalp as well as their eyebrows or eyelashes. These issues are often linked to eye irritation and subsequent blepharitis.

Generally speaking, dandruff is more commonly linked to anterior blepharitis rather than posterior blepharitis.

Additional Symptoms to Consider

In addition to dandruff on the scalp and around the eyeballs, other common signs/symptoms of blepharitis include:

  • Swelling or red eyelids
  • Eyelids that appear greasy
  • Red eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Irritated eyes
  • Gritty sensation in the eyes
  • Flaking around the eyes
  • Crusts around the eyes when waking up
  • Light sensitivity
  • Frequent need to blink
  • Loss of eyelashes
  • Abnormally snuggled eyelashes

If you notice any combination of symptoms noted above, be sure to see your doctor or an eye care specialist for assistance.

Causes of Blepharitis

Blepharitis has a number of different causes. These include:

  • Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff of the scalp/eyebrows)
  • Bacterial infections
  • Allergies
  • Rosacea
  • Blocked oil glands of the eyelids
  • Lice
  • Eyelash mites

During a consultation with an eye care specialist, the root cause of your blepharitis will be determined in order for the proper treatment to be performed.

Treatments for Blepharitis

Blepharitis is not curable, but patients have many options for management of the condition.

The most common treatment is to apply a warm, damp towel to the eye when the symptoms of blepharitis start to appear. This simple act can soothe the eye and help the symptoms go away on their own. Properly washing the eye area an also be quite helpful.

Doctors can prescribe medications to help minimize inflammation and get a bacterial infection under control. These drugs can be quite effective when paired with the use of a warm, damp towel to soothe the affected eye.

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis

If dandruff is a cause or contributing factor to your blepharitis, we can help offer treatment that directly address your seborrheic dermatitis. Generally this means the use of dandruff shampoos, anti fungal creams/ointments, oral medications, and specially medicated lotions that help reduce inflammation and soothe the eyelids when symptoms are present.

Be sure to follow the instructions for use carefully. Since the eyelid is affected, it’s important that these medications only address the eyelid itself rather than getting into the eye as well.

Learn More About Managing Blepharitis

To learn more about diagnosis and treatment of blepharitis, be sure to contact our advanced eye care center today. We look forward to your visit and discussing these matters in greater detail.

Related to This

Dr. William S. Goldstein

Laser Eye Care Center

William S. Goldstein, MD, has been practicing laser eye surgery since 1991. He was one of the first doctors to offer advanced eye care in all of Michigan and is a member of several prestigious organizations: 

  • American Board of Ophthalmology
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

If you are ready to enhance your vision, call our office at (586) 323-2020 or request a consultation online.

Contact Us Today

Rate, Review & Explore

Social Accounts Sprite
Google map image of our location in 47670 Van Dyke Ave  Shelby Township, MI

Shelby Charter Township Office

47670 Van Dyke Ave
Shelby Township, MI 48317

Open Today 8:15am - 5:00pm

(586) 323-2020 Send a message