You can often tell from a person's face whether he or she has health problems. In this regard, it is very important to follow simple rules and lead a healthy lifestyle to keep your face beautiful and young. However, there are also various kinds of manifestations of pathological changes that are almost impossible to avoid.
Not all people understand what can be done when the skin in the eye area becomes red and begins to peel. In this case, it is very important to understand the root cause of the disease. Below we discuss the main causes of such changes in the skin around the eyes, as well as recommendations for eliminating them.
How does blepharitis occur - the first symptoms of the disease
The health of a child’s eyes largely depends on the hygiene skills he has learned, the state of his immunity, and his tendency to allergies of various origins.
In this article
- How does blepharitis occur - the first symptoms of the disease
- Blepharitis in children - why is it dangerous?
- Why does blepharitis appear in a child?
- Types of blepharitis
- Purulent blepharitis: symptoms and treatment
- How to cure seborrheic blepharitis?
- Folk remedies for treating blepharitis
- Seborrheic blepharitis - prevention
Seborrheic blepharitis can develop against the background of previous infections, colds, hypothermia, as well as due to dirt and dust from the hands getting into the eyes. The first symptoms of the disease: plaque on the eyelid edge, redness of the eyelids, itching, lacrimation, may seem harmless to parents, and they begin independent treatment of the disease, while the disease itself continues to develop with new complications. This is the main danger of blepharitis.
Diagnostics
During the examination, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are used:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- examination of urine and, if necessary, stool;
- conducting skin allergy tests;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys;
- cerebrospinal fluid examination, cranial tomography;
- bacteriological culture.
The research method is selected based on the suspicion of a specific disease. A comprehensive diagnosis confirms or refutes the initial assumptions of doctors and helps to establish the true cause of the manifestations.
Blepharitis in children - why is it dangerous?
Untimely and inadequate treatment of blepharitis will lead to the disease becoming chronic. Treatment of this form of the disease can last up to one year, and all this time the child will experience unpleasant symptoms: burning, itching of the eyelids, increased lacrimation. Constant swelling of the eyelids disrupts the skin, which will scar, causing eyelash loss and abnormal growth.
Possible complications of blepharitis in children:
- chronic conjunctivitis - appears against the background of prolonged blepharitis;
- stye, chalazion - occur due to blockage of the sebaceous glands at the edge of the eyelid;
- inflammation of the cornea - improperly growing eyelashes, constant irritation of the eyelids can cause inflammation on the surface of the cornea;
- increased lacrimation or, conversely, “dry eye” syndrome - if you do not carefully care for the surface of the eyelids, dandruff flakes can accumulate on the tear film, causing irritation.
The sooner a child receives help in treating blepharitis, the higher the chances of a favorable prognosis for the course of the disease. A well-designed treatment regimen significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Causes of peeling
Both external factors and internal causes can provoke peeling and redness of the skin around the visual apparatus. Increased dryness of the epidermis of adults and children is provoked by factors:
- hereditary predisposition;
- irritation;
- prolonged exposure to gadget monitors;
- sudden change in temperature;
- emotional stress;
- application of cosmetics;
- mosquito bites;
- allergic manifestations;
- ingress of dust microparticles;
- prolonged exposure to water;
- unbalanced diet;
- hormonal changes or disorders;
- dysbiosis.
To eliminate skin flaking, it is enough to reduce exposure to irritants and moisturize the dermis with emollients.
Why does blepharitis appear in a child?
When making a diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the nature of the origin of blepharitis, and the treatment plan depends on this.
If blepharitis occurs as a reaction of the body to some allergen, then antihistamines will be included in the treatment regimen. If the disease has other causes: anemia, vitamin deficiency, infections, etc., the specialist takes them into account when writing prescriptions. Why might blepharitis appear in a child?
Causes of blepharitis in children:
- unsanitary living conditions, lack of necessary hygiene, use of other people's scarves and towels;
- immunity weakened by infectious and colds;
- poor diet, vitamin deficiency;
- hypothermia, emotional and physical fatigue;
- chronic conjunctivitis, eye diseases;
- the presence of parasites in the body, infection with staphylococcus and demodex.
Drops for moisturizing the eyes if there is dryness of the mucous membrane, medicinal ointments to soften the surface of the eyelids, solutions for washing the eyelids, compresses, etc. are effective. Physiotherapy procedures are quite effective: magnetic therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF. They should be started when the symptoms of acute blepharitis are eliminated.
Useful video
Peeling around the visual apparatus is not always associated with pathological conditions. Particular attention should be paid to the skin around the eyes of a child, since the skin in this category is not yet fully formed. At the first flaky areas, you should contact a dermatologist or ophthalmologist to determine the root causes.
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Types of blepharitis
Since the causes of blepharitis in children can be different, it is customary to distinguish several types of the disease. There are allergic, ulcerative, demodectic, scaly blepharitis. In all cases, clinical diagnosis is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the disease, otherwise treatment may be lengthy and ineffective.
Main types of blepharitis:
- seborrheic blepharitis - accompanied by swelling of the eyelids, so called because it affects the epidermis at the base of the eyelashes, the skin in these places peels off in scales;
- ulcerative - this type of blepharitis is characterized by the appearance of purulent ulcers on the surface of the eyelids, the disease is similar in symptoms to seborrheic blepharitis, and is severe;
- demodicosis - the causative agent of the disease is the iron mite, which lives in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles;
- allergic - the disease is activated by a specific allergen, which can be house dust, animal hair, or plant pollen.
Usually, in order for a child to start an inflammatory process of the eyelids, several negative factors must be present: low body resistance to infections, parasites, non-compliance with hand hygiene rules, excessive secretion production by the sebaceous glands, activation of the allergen.
Which doctor should I contact?
The appearance of redness under a child’s eyes is a reason to consult a pediatrician. If a specific disease is suspected, the doctor prescribes an examination by specialists:
- allergist
- the cause of redness is an allergic reaction; - neurologist
– nervous disorders, poor sleep, irritability; - urologist
– kidney problems; - ophthalmologist
- if eye disease is suspected; - otolaryngologist
- symptoms are caused by tonsillitis, adenoids.
Important! An examination by several specialists makes it possible to accurately determine the disease that caused redness under the eyes and select the most effective treatment regimen.
Purulent blepharitis: symptoms and treatment
With scaly blepharitis, the edges of the eyelids are somewhat thickened, and areas with damaged epidermis are visible. Ulcerative blepharitis is characterized by the appearance of pustules, which, when opened, reveal bleeding ulcers. This form of the disease is extremely dangerous, because with purulent blepharitis in children, bacteria and infections can get into the wounds. Scarring of such lesions leads to the appearance of small seals on the skin, loss and improper growth of eyelashes. Purulent blepharitis in a child is treated with bactericidal drugs, the action of which is aimed at suppressing microorganisms and reducing the amount of pathogenic microflora. During the acute period of the disease, when the pain is still strong, you should not stay in the sun without sunglasses, as your eyes will water more and cause even more discomfort.
Purulent blepharitis - treatment:
- sanitation in the area of the eyelid lesion;
- antiseptic and antimicrobial agents;
- antibiotics, ointments;
- antiviral drugs;
- moisturizing eye drops, tear substitutes for excessive dry eyes.
Blepharitis occurs as a result of a weakened child’s immunity due to illness and psychosomatic disorders. When treating purulent blepharitis, it is recommended to pay attention to the child’s mental health, reduce anxiety and minimize states of extreme agitation.
Possible consequences and complications
Ignoring redness under the eyes of a child leads to the development of complications of existing diseases:
- worsening of inflammatory processes with conjunctivitis, uveitis, the consequences of which are blurred vision and blindness;
- spread of helminthic infestations, which leads to extensive damage to internal organs;
- deterioration of the child’s general condition – fatigue, irritability, weakness, nervousness increase, brain activity decreases, and developmental delays appear.
Incorrect treatment or neglect of the appearance of red spots under the eyes leads to worsening pathological changes in a small body - anemia, heart disorders, allergies, decreased immunity.
Red circles under the eyes of a child occur due to lack of sleep or fatigue, and are also a consequence of tonsillitis, helminthiasis, conjunctivitis, respiratory infections, adenoiditis, injuries, insect bites or allergies. A thorough diagnosis, including laboratory and instrumental research methods, will help determine the cause.
Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antihistamine, antiviral medications, herbal decoctions, lotions and compresses are used in treatment. Timely treatment helps to avoid serious complications and undesirable consequences.
How to cure seborrheic blepharitis?
Seborrheic blepharitis manifests itself as severe redness of the eyelids, swelling is obvious and intolerance to bright light is observed, there is a burning sensation and tingling sensation in the eyes. Skin flakes appear on the lower edge of the eyelids, similar to gray dandruff. A treatment regimen for seborrheic blepharitis is drawn up by a doctor. Since with this disease the skin of the eyelids peels off in scales, it needs additional softening. The eyelids must be lubricated with fish oil and synthomycin solution. Drug treatment may include antibiotics, antiseptics, hormonal drugs, and zinc-based drugs.
Effect of drugs for seborrheic blepharitis:
- anti-inflammatory - agents that reduce swelling are used;
- antiseptic - antiputrefactive agents, prevent the development of decomposition processes in wounds;
- antibacterial, softening and drying - ointments, creams soften damaged areas of the epidermis and facilitate the separation of scales, which helps accelerate skin regeneration processes.
Eyelid massage for scaly blepharitis helps restore blood circulation. It should be started when the inflammation subsides a little. The eyelids are massaged with light finger movements; medicinal ointments and creams can be used to facilitate gliding. Massage for children is carried out for 7-10 minutes.
Traditional methods
In the absence of health-related problems, it is possible to use traditional methods to restore the water balance of the skin:
- Mask based on gelatin component. To obtain the mixture, dissolve 50 grams of gelatin in warm water until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The mask is applied for up to 20 minutes, after which it is washed off.
- Carrot mask. To prepare the mixture you need carrots, the yolk of 1 egg and potato flour. The ingredients are mixed and applied to the affected areas. The holding time of the mask is about 20 minutes. It is necessary to wash off with warm water.
- Parsley leaves. The ingredients are crushed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is applied to the pathological areas.
Traditional recipes can be used in combination with the main treatment, but the interval between medications should not be less than 2 hours.
Folk remedies for treating blepharitis
The experience of traditional medicine is quite effective for eye diseases. Medicines - drops, tablets, ointments - help relieve inflammation, reduce swelling of the eyelids, moisturize the eyes, eliminating burning and stinging, and herbal decoctions are widely used for compresses and rinsing, cleansing the eyelids of pus and skin flakes.
All decoctions used must be warm, since cold liquids can provoke stagnation. When choosing the composition of the herbal collection, you need to take into account the child’s tendency to allergies.
It is advisable to consult a doctor when choosing herbal components for a compress. He may prescribe washing with infusions of eucalyptus leaves, chamomile, calendula, clover, and dill seeds. Hygienic procedures are carried out daily to remove dead particles of the epidermis. Using a gauze swab soaked in a warm infusion of herbs, you need to carefully remove adhered skin particles, directing the movement to the side. You cannot make vertical movements, as this can be traumatic for the eyelids.
You can treat the skin of your eyelids with medicated oils, such as rose oil, made from rose petals. The skin should already be cleared of scales and free of ulcers. Rose oil has an antimicrobial effect, tones the skin of the eyelids, relieves inflammation, heals the epidermis and promotes rapid skin restoration.
"SM-Clinic" - taking care of your child
Our medical center employs some of the best pediatric doctors in various fields in St. Petersburg. Our professionalism is confirmed by an impeccable reputation. The clinic has advanced equipment that allows you to quickly and accurately diagnose various ophthalmological diseases, including blepharitis.
Make an appointment and come to us if you need truly competent help and effective therapy.
Ageev Vladimir Sergeevich Clinic
Author of the article
Ageev Vladimir Sergeevich
Candidate of Medical Sciences
Specialty: ophthalmologist
Experience: 16 years
The information in this article is provided for reference purposes and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Don't self-medicate! At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.
Seborrheic blepharitis - prevention
To prevent relapses of blepharitis, children must carefully follow a set of preventive measures recommended by their doctor. The main task of the parents of a child who has had blepharitis is to prevent the disease from reoccurring, and for this it is necessary to completely cure the disease. Even if the main symptoms have disappeared, it is worth continuing treatment: taking prescribed medications, doing eyelid massages, going to physiotherapy, protecting your eyes from external influences.
Relapse of blepharitis can also be provoked by new diseases, intoxication of the body, overheating and hypothermia, and unfavorable environmental conditions in the area, city, or region.
What is required to strengthen a child’s immune system?
- enriching the child’s diet with vegetables, fruits, leafy greens, as well as legumes and seafood, pickles and smoked foods should be excluded;
- daily physical activity: running, gymnastics, outdoor fitness;
- taking multivitamin preparations that increase immunity;
- control of visual stress, adherence to sleep and rest schedules;
- Monitor the microclimate in your home and clean it regularly.
You can overcome blepharitis if you make your child healthier and teach him the rules of personal hygiene. At the first feeling of discomfort in the eyes, with redness and swelling of the eyelids, you must seek qualified help.
