Blepharitis: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know

When your eyelids feel gritty, red, or stuck together in the morning, you might be dealing with blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins that affects millions but is often misunderstood. Also known as eyelid inflammation, it’s not contagious, but it can be persistent—and it’s usually tied to other issues like skin oil imbalances or bacterial overgrowth. Unlike a quick infection, blepharitis creeps up slowly, often flaring up after stress, poor sleep, or skipping your nightly face wash. It doesn’t just annoy you—it can make your eyes water, blur your vision, and even cause eyelashes to fall out.

Most cases are linked to two main triggers: bacterial blepharitis, where staph bacteria build up along the lash line, and seborrheic blepharitis, a cousin of dandruff that causes oily, flaky skin around the eyes. Many people also have dry eye syndrome, a condition where tears don’t lubricate properly, making eyelid irritation worse. These aren’t separate problems—they feed each other. Poor eyelid hygiene lets bacteria thrive, which blocks oil glands, which dries out your eyes, which makes your lids itch more. It’s a cycle.

There’s no magic cure, but daily care works. Warm compresses, gentle lid scrubs with baby shampoo or special wipes, and avoiding eye makeup during flares can cut symptoms by half. Some people need antibiotics in drop or ointment form, but most just need consistency. It’s like brushing your teeth—you don’t wait until your gums bleed to start. If your blepharitis keeps coming back, it might be connected to rosacea, eczema, or even allergies. The right treatment isn’t always a pill—it’s a routine.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides on how to manage blepharitis without overcomplicating it. From simple hygiene tricks that work for busy people, to how certain medications can make it worse, to what to do when your eyes feel like sandpaper—these posts cut through the noise. No fluff. Just what helps, what doesn’t, and why.