May 18, 2009

Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Eyelid Infection

Posted in Category : Natural Cures

Eyelid infections also known as eyelid cellulitis is a kind of eye disorder that younger people are more susceptible to. Elderly people usually do not suffer from this condition; they could suffer from macular degeneration or cataracts that are more serious in nature in comparison with blepharitis. Blepharitis normally only causes irritation to your eye as it swells up, turns red, and causes a burning or itching sensation.

Kinds of Eyelid Infections

There are different kinds of eyelid infections that are all always caused by bacteria. Listed below are the various types of eyelid infections:

Blepharitis: This kind of eyelid infection occurs when the bacteria that is present on the skin of the eyelid starts to grow unusually. Due to this, the oil glands stop functioning properly, causing the eyes to dry and leading to a burning or itchy feeling in the eyes. The skin on your eyelid tends to turn red, and in some cases, you can find greasy flakes as well. Heaviness in the eyelids is something that is commonly associated with this condition. Opening your eyes in the morning could be tough as the discharge from your eyes tend to make them stick together.

Stye: A stye on the eyelid is caused when bacteria assemble on the tiny oil glands close to the hair follicles on your eyelid. This leads to a swelling or bump forming on your eyelid. Styes are usually lower eyelid infections or can be on the edges of your eyelid. Once your eye is infected and a stye forms, it tends to fill up with pus. A stye can be painful and cause extreme tearing of the eyes and an inflamed eyelid.

Cellulitis: This kind of eye infection is severe and occurs when the bacteria enters the skin on the eyelid due to a tear or break and then grows in numbers. This type of eye infection makes your eyes itch and burn considerably. Other symptoms that arise along with this include fever, pain and tenderness on your eyelids, headaches, and pus discharge. If the infection gets worse, it could cause your face to swell as well.

Causes

The causes of eyelid infections are either bacterial or viral. Other reasons for inflammation could be allergies to pet dander, pollen, dust, etc. or to cosmetics. Certain pollutants that linger in the air like smoke and smog could also lead to an infected eye. Infections that cause your eyelid to become inflamed could include blepharitis, stye, or chalazion. Spending too much time under the sun without proper protection could also lead to sunburn that could affect your eyes. Trauma to your eyes could also lead to an infection.

Symptoms

Here are a few signs and symptoms that are common to most eye infections and allergies:

  • Burning in the eyes
  • Discharge that could be watery and in some cases include pus
  • Fever in case of a severe infection
  • Headache in case of a severe infection
  • Itching
  • Pain in the eyelid
  • Pain while moving your eyes
  • Pain that radiates to other parts of your face other than your eye
  • Redness
  • Soreness
  • Swollen eyelid
  • Tenderness
  • Warmth

Treatment

Eyelid infections are mostly treated with antibiotics, and a close watch is kept on the patient to make sure that the infection does not spread any further. While these are medicines that your doctor will prescribe, there are certain home remedies you can try to help alleviate the pain.

  • The simplest one is to apply a warm compress on your eyelid; make sure that you do not use the same compress for both eyes as the infection will spread. Try not to rub or squeeze your eyes too much either
  • Another natural remedy that you can try is cool tea bags. First place the teabags in boiling water for 5 minutes then remove them and squeeze out the liquid from it. Then, leave those teabags for around 15 minutes in the freezer. Remove them from the fridge, wrap them in a paper towel and gently place them on your infected eyelids for around 20 minutes
  • Drinking dandelion tea everyday helps build your body’s immune system
  • Water in which coriander seeds have been boiled can also be used to help soothe your eye infection
  • Aloe vera is known for its healing properties, and using fresh gel from the aloe vera leaf over the affected part of the eyelid helps
  • Soaking a clove in water and then placing it on your eye also helps
  • A paste made from mashed potatoes and applied on the swollen eye can help reduce the swelling
  • Guava leaves are also known to help alleviate the pain and redness in your eye. Place the leaves in a cloth that has been dipped in warm water, and place it over your eye for relief
  • Castor oil is helpful in getting rid of a stye; take utmost care that the oil does not get into your eye
  • Acacia leaves, turmeric boiled in water, essential oils like olive, lavender and rose also make for a good warm compress

If the infection worsens, persists, or spreads, it is best to consult a doctor.

References

  1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyeliddisorders.html
  2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001009.htm
  3. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/blepharitis/blepharitis.asp
  4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001012.htm