Awful blepharitis

[jabbat]

I've been suffering from this since the summer..was misdiagnosed twice.
For the last two months I've been doing eye drops multiple times a day, two lots of heat pad and massage/cleaning a day am and pm and it won't go.
I wake up with swollen eyelids and I'm so self conscious. Have had a few styes.
I've got a hospital appointment but not until April. Opticians and GP just pass me back and forth and don't do anything.
Baby shampoo didn't work.
Will it be like this forever as I'm so down, even sleeping on my side seems to hurt my eyes

I am joining because I have long term eye probs but I’m over 70 so assume it’s partly age.

Could it be dandruff or similar. Though I’m sure you will have checked this.

I am so miserable with it and my only option is to pay privately which is £220 to speed it up. I wonder if it's perimenopause at 43

I have had blepharitis long term and have at times really struggled to keep it under control in terms of cleaning the lids the best thing I have found is actually micellar water and cotton wool pads which has worked much better for me than baby shampoo or the more expensive special lid cleansers. The heat masks can be good. I have been prescribed antibiotics in the past which can also be very effective.

I'm watching with interest. I'm 65 and started with Blepharitis in December. I thought it was due to a mascara, so changed brand. Then, stopped using it altogether (have never used eye shadow). Baby shampoo doesn't help, nor does moisturising cream. The GP wasn't at all helpful, nor was the Optician.

I think it's peri / menopausal. I had the same for months and nothing would touch it - then all of a sudden it disappeared 🙄

I've had a diagnosis of blepharitis for well over a decade now, I had to have a couple of cysts removed before I got it under control. This is what works for me, take 2 cotton pads every morning, put them in just boiled (HOT) water, when they have cooled enough to handle, but are a hot as you can stand them, put them over your eyes. Hold them there for a minute or so, then scrub a bit. I was told its the heat that dissolves the gunk you're trying to get rid of.
I've also used zoe bee eyelash serum, it's supposed to make your eyelashes longer or something, but actually it seems to work for me keeping the blepharitis at bay. The most important bit is the hot cotton pads though. The baby shampoo never worked for me.
Good luck!
This is the serum
https://zoebeebeauty.co.uk/products/eyelash-serum

I've posted before about my dry eye and blepharitis. It was utterly unbearable, I can only describe it as a constant 'hum' of itching and discomfort so I know where you're coming from. I found the redness of my eyes very frightening as well. Addressing my dry eye properly and using the right drops and heat pad consistently were the only things that worked. Optimel manuka honey eye drops changed my life, no exaggeration. I think there's good documented evidence for honey doing miraculous things for eye problems. I really hope you get sorted, it's so, so horrible.

Yeah right. Stop spamming. The grammar on this website is terrible! And weirdly, I cannot actually view the apparently glowing reviews 🙄

I'm having an awful flare up at the moment, literally look like I have been punched in both eyes. I've had it for over 15 years and the baby shampoo and some fucidic acid cream always worked for me but not anymore! I'm at my wits end

I swear by golden eye.

Gets rid of it in 24 hrs

I have a similar ointment from Boots containing the same antibiotic.However It says to throw away tube after 5 days of use so I would think Golden Eye is the same. I would say my eye is still sticky and red after 5 days of use.
Perhaps i need antibiotic drops as well as ointment.

I've booked a private ophthalmology appointment as my red eye is sore sore and the eye socket actually hurts..so will update. Even my left eye is getting worse and I've been diligent with the eye care

My message above was in response to the now-deleted spam posts! I did quote them but it somehow failed.

Mine flared up in my 40s too, I have to be very careful with make up and remover. Optase gel wash is fantastic and really helps as does standing on the shower with a wash cloth against my eyes,when it cools get it hot again and repeat.

Do you have rosacea? My Blepharitis is related to rosacea and both can be caused by demodex mites. They love to live in your eyelash pores as well as generally party on your face and cause irritation.

Since January I have been using blephademodex eye wipes which are specifically for demodex Blepharitis, and at the same time using Soolantra cream on my face every night. This has really helped to clean up and get rid of the scaly bits.

Good luck getting it sorted , I was given a 3 month course of oral antibiotics but the likes of chloramphenicol can help short term

I use Blephasol twice a day to clean my eyelids. It definitely helps.

Have you tried an Opticians' practice with a specific dry eye clinic? Look for one with something called 'Blephex'.
Also, try an eye gel cleanser with tea tree oil (specifically made, do NOT DIY!). Blepharitis can be caused by the Demodex mite and a cycle of treatment with tea tree oil can really help.

I have had it for years on and off, had 3 cysts surgically removed, the rest went on their own. My optician recommended Blephasol (expensive eye cleanser), my private consultant opthalmologist recommended heat masks to remove the cysts (warms and melts the solid matter to be absorbed back into the body), I have a USB powered one which is quite good.

Touch wood I've not had any issues for a year, I normally double cleanse my face with a very hot cloth and don't use too many creams/ oils around my eyes. When it flares up I use the heated eye mask and cleanse my eyes with saline on cotton pads.

I've done all of this for 10 weeks using blephasol multiple drops and heat masks..and worse. I didn't have eye pain before I started on the cleaning regime.
I've had it before and a couple of days doing this sorted completely.
I am having blood tests for low iron and wonder if that may be part of it

Can you recommend a usb one as we are going on hol shortly with no microwave or kettle for heat pads

@TheOliveFinch
Thank you. I'd try anything atm to sort it.

I don't think so as I saw a private derm last year and he didn't mention it but I will ask if this could be the case.
I got a very mild case of seborrheic dermatitis at the same time so could be linked.
My eyes look so dry and haggard now.