Blepharitis: Itchy, Crusty, Red Eyelids, and What Helps

Blepharitis is inflammation along the edges of the eyelids, causing red, itchy, swollen lids, crusting or flakes at the base of the lashes, and gritty, burning or watery eyes, often worst in the morning. It's common, usually affects both eyes, and tends to come and go. It isn't usually contagious, and it rarely harms vision. A daily routine of warm compresses and gentle lid cleaning keeps most cases under control.

Symptoms

• Red, swollen or greasy-looking eyelid edges
• Crusts, flakes or "dandruff" at the base of the lashes
• Itching, burning or a gritty feeling
• Watery or dry eyes
• Lids stuck together in the morning
• Sensitivity to light
• Lashes that fall out or grow in the wrong direction

Common causes

• Clogged oil glands along the eyelids
• Bacteria that normally live on the skin
• Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and eyebrows
• Rosacea
• Allergies or eye makeup
• Dry eyes, made worse by Denver's dry air

Daily eyelid care

• Warm compress: hold a clean, warm, wet washcloth on closed lids for 5 to 10 minutes, once or twice a day
• Gently massage the lids to loosen oils
• Clean the lid edges with a cotton swab or pad and diluted baby shampoo or an eyelid cleanser
• Use artificial tears for dryness, and a humidifier in winter
• Take a break from eye makeup and contact lenses during flares
• Treat dandruff with a dandruff shampoo if you have it

It may take a few weeks to see improvement, and keeping up the routine helps prevent flares.

Blepharitis, pink eye or a stye?

• Pink eye reddens the white of the eye. See our pink eye post.
• A stye is a single painful bump on the lid. See our stye post.
• Blepharitis affects the lid edges along their length.

When to get seen

Come in if symptoms don't improve after a couple of weeks of lid care, an eyelid becomes very swollen, red or painful, or your vision changes. A clinician may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or other treatment. At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our eye pain and irritation page and the cost and insurance page.

Go to the ER if you have sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, swelling and redness spreading around the eye with a fever, pain when moving the eye, or a bulging eye. These can be signs of a serious infection.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.