Is Blepharitis Worse In The Morning?

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

Blepharitis can be caused by a variety of different factors and circumstances, and these often occur in combination. So a flare up of rosacea (or other chronic skin condition) can have a knock-on effect on the skin barrier function, the proliferation of yeasts on the skin, and tear-duct function, resulting in an attack of blepharitis.

However it’s caused, blepharitis is usually characterised by similar symptoms. These include:

Red eyes
Itchy, stinging or gritty-feeling eyes
Dry eyes
Swollen or inflamed eyelids
Crusty eyelids
Difficulty producing tears

Why is blepharitis worse in the morning?

It’s common to find that your eyes feel worse in the morning if you’ve got blepharitis. They might feel itchier or more sore when you first wake up, and they can be crusted over so badly it is difficult to open your eyelids.

There could be a couple of different reasons for this; some have suggested that the bacteria responsible for blepharitis are more active at night. Another explanation is that secreted fluid from inflamed or blocked meibomian glands can build up overnight when the eyes are closed, and cause quite a thick crust to glue eyelashes together.

It’s also possible that a long period of time with closed eyes means that there’s been prolonged contact with the surface of the eyeball, without any blinking to clear away the debris caused by blepharitis. This can cause inflammation and itchiness when you do wake up.

Treating blepharitis

Blepharitis can usally be managed very well with a daily three-step cleaning regime.

Heat: place a hot compress or eye bag over your eyes for five minutes to warm the area

Massage: massage very gently around the eyelashes to dislodge crusts and unblock ducts

Clean: use a fresh, clean cotton bud dipped in well-diluted (scent- and soap-free) wash to clean the area around the eyelashes and eyelids

If your eyes are very sore and dry, you can use Skin Salvation to ease any irritation around your eyelids.

There’s strong evidence to suggest that 5% tea tree ointment can prevent mites from breeding; massage a small amount of Balmonds Tea Tree Balm into your eyelashes. You can use diluted Balmonds Natural Shampoo & Body Wash to clean the area.

As part of your daily cleansing routine, swap your foaming or scented make-up remover for an oil-based cleanser, like Balmonds Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil, which is much less likely to irritate your eyelids.

If the condition persists, doesn’t improve or gets worse after a week of this regime, consult a doctor or pharmacist; you may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops.