Anyone have blepharitis?

[tacatcon]

My dd was diagnosed with this last week. I can't find a heck of a lot of info and I'm a little concerned about not being able to get the ointment they put her on in her eyes really good. She's 3. So trying to get ointment in her eyes 4 times a day is oh so fun.

But I'm just wondering because I know this isn't the most common infection, if you have it how long ago you were diagnosed and if the symptoms still bother you. From what I understand from the doctor, she'll always have it, there's no cure. But it will hopefully be able to be controlled.

I'm also reading about cataracts from the steroid ointment and that scares the crap out of me. So would love to hear what treatments you used -I already know about lid and lash scrubs. I don't think we're going to do that yet until we have it under control. But what worked, what didn't.

Thanks.

Tara

[rbunnymom]

I am very familiar with this. DD and myself have had it. Did they recommend the baby shampoo wash for the eyelids? I will look up the info I have and post it a bit later. Got to go in a few min. It can be frustrating until under control.

[tacatcon]

Thanks rbunny! I swear you and i must be soul sisters with all these things huh?!

They didn't talk about using baby shampoo. Her opthamologist did talk about doing eyelash and lid scrubs -but not exactly what that would be but we're waiting to get it more under control first.

She mostly gets the gooey eyes in the morning, the light sensitivity and seems to already be having issues with her sight which scares me.

I understand that it goes hand in hand alot with allergies, eczema, psoriasis. So I guess it's not that surprising she has it!

[puakinikini]

Wow! I have never heard of this but I feel for you. My kids got molluscum contagiosum (yes, it is a real skin condition). We called it the Harry Potter Disease!...but it was no laughing matter. I got it in my eyes and it was a major pain in the neck. It eventually went away (thank goodness). ANything with your eyes is a nightmare! I am so sorry for your DD.

[rbunnymom]

Originally Posted by tacatcon Thanks rbunny! I swear you and i must be soul sisters with all these things huh?! They didn't talk about using baby shampoo. Her opthamologist did talk about doing eyelash and lid scrubs -but not exactly what that would be but we're waiting to get it more under control first. She mostly gets the gooey eyes in the morning, the light sensitivity and seems to already be having issues with her sight which scares me. I understand that it goes hand in hand alot with allergies, eczema, psoriasis. So I guess it's not that surprising she has it!

I believe we are too. It does go along with all those problems. I would try the lid scrubs. Did you find info on it? It does help. Problem will be getting a 3 yr old to cooperate.

[Emikat]

You can try boiling a tea bag and once it is at a slightly warm temp put it over her eye for 10 minutes after take a clean wet washcloth and gently wipe her eye to remove any dislodged debris, if she doesnt like the idea of sitting still long enough for a compress you can make her a fun pirate eye patch and put the tea bag under it. I would also use filtered water when wetting things for her eye ie tea bag or cleaning cloths. also chamomile is a great skin soother you can boil a chamomile tea bag and black tea bag together to help decrease inflammation.

[Doglover8180]

I have had it since I was baby - and I am in my late 20's now. So basically my entire life. I actually have a chelazian (so messed up the spelling) right now that needs removal which resulted from one of the many styes that I got from it which are a direct result of the blepharitis. Best thing to do - I don't use any ointment - never have - OCusoft lens scrub - once a week (it's expensive) scrub the eyelids with it - doesn't really burn at all and in between that weekly treatment - baby shampoo and water - scrub the eyelids with it. Best thing you can do.

And I also have excema - always have... that's alot more of an incovenience than the Blepharitis - and yes they do go hand in hand - dry skin, scalp, eyelids. For the excema, I have found (and I have used every medical ointment, prescription steroid - you name it, I've been given it -but the best thing I have found - cheapest too - Suave - body lotion - not any of the scented fancy ones - just the old fashioned one. If I use it every day religiously - I very rarely get excema "outbreaks" - it keeps it under control and it isnt perfumey and it isn't oily - it soaks in fast.

[clwarner10]

I'm really glad you posted these questions. My daughter (just turned 4) was diagnosed on Monday. Her doctor did suggest the baby shampoo wash but also prescribed an ointment that our insurance won't cover. I'll definitely be doing more research before filling the prescription.

[Doglover8180]

I've used the baby shampoo for years - never had a problem with it - got lazy about - quit using it - started getting styes... The baby shampoo works basically like the OcuSoft lens scrub - I just use the lens scrub once a week - to get an extra good scrub on them which you can't truly achieve with your finger, water, and baby shampoo but it works good for in between the lens scrub. How my doctor (who I love - my eye doctor is wonderful) How she has described it to me - is basically you have those oil glands running all along the inside of your eyelashes(lids) and with people who have blepharitis - those glands are getting clogged (that's when you get the stye) - the scrub is basically opening up those oil glands each day - so they don't get clogged... in alot of ways an ointment is just going to further clog them and make a bigger mess... if you keep them scrubbed and clean each day - you won't have a problem. The reason they say baby shampoo instead of anything else is because it's Tear free (well kinda) and inevitably some will get in the eye when scrubbing the eyelids - so that prevents it from having a burning sensation when that happens.

Also, someone mentioned their child having the gooey crustyness each morning in the eyes - thats from the clogged pores. Once you start consistently scrubbing the lids - the stuff won't be there in the morning and your eyes feel alot better too. If I go several days without scrubbing my lids - I can feel a difference.

[meggers]

Bless her little heart. I've never had this to my knowledge, but I've had iritis many times & have had to use prednisolone steroid drops. Each person is different, but I haven't had any issues with my eyes & I've worn glasses all my life, had a weak eye & it sure seems like I would be prone to cataracts, etc., but I've been fine. I've taken prednisone on & off & used the drops for 16 years now.

I hope that eases your mind a little about the steroid ointment. The longer you use it, the more chances of problems you'll have, but I really don't it's anything you should worry about right now.