I had an eye appointment this past summer, and the optometrist told me I have Blepharitis (you can google it). I don't know if this is what you have, but occasionally I feel my eyelids swell a bit, and then they get itchy. It's caused by your immune system being out of whack, which coincidentally I do have autoimmune issues. I'm also in menopause 2 years now, and I think it has something to do with low hormones, too - the itchiness only started in the last year. I also notice that if I'm more stressed, the itchiness gets worse.

He offered to prescribe antibiotics, but I declined because I'm a medication-phobe and believe medications cause side-effects. What I've been doing is taking a warm facecloth and holding it over my eyelids when my eyes are closed - that is supposed to open up the oil? glands (?) in the eyelid and allow them to clear out. Really helpful is I also put a very small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the damp cloth (so it's diluted somewhat) and dab it over each eyelid being *EXTREMELY CAREFUL not to get it *in* my eyes* because from experience it really hurts if it gets in the eyes! Truthfully though, I think the warm facecloth might aggravate it at times, and if that happens, I stick with the hydrogen peroxide a few times a day.

I'm not sure if this is what you have, of course, but thought I'd mention it to you. I'm surprised the opthalmologists weren't able to recognize it if that is what you have.

Hi Tessa.

I think Dee is on target. Can we understand you to mean the eyelid "margin" (that smooth area close to the lashes that comes into contact with the surface of your eyeball), and not the skin of the eyelid?

If so, Dee seems to have it right. I've had that condition and it eventually cleared up. Be sure the face clothes are freshly clean and that you launder them after each use.

I liked aproduct called "Steri-Lid" for washing the lid margin area. Not expensive (some people use dilute baby shampoo), and I like the clean odor and the foam dispensor.

Here is a link with some information that I think will be helpful. https://mcdonaldadams.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/blepharitis-eyelid-hygiene/

If your eyes feel dry and itchy, preservative-free eyedrops (such as Refresh (TM)) might be helpful.

Blepharitis can be diagnosed by an eye doc just looking at your lids with a loupe or other magnification. You might want to ask around for optometrists or ophthalmologists who are more familiar with blepharitis. It's not rocket science.

That may -not- be what's going on with you. You might be sensitive to some makeup, face cream, eyeliner or shampoo. Maybe your eyelid mites have been radicalized.

I hope you find some soothing relief soon, Tesse. That itching and (for me) gummy eyes issue can drive one mad when it continues.

I wonder, if you think it might be from some allergy, if you might want to try a benedryll tablet for a day or so to see if that offers any relief. Just note that it might increase any eye dryness.

Dear Dee and Starsplitter ... Thank you very much for your kind advices. Yes, I've read about Blepharitis a few months back and I think I fall into that category. I've lost most of my eye lashes because sometimes I scratch my eyelids and eyelashes roots too much. I will try to do your suggestion and hope I will get better. I used to do cold compress because someone suggested it to me. (That was wrong then). I've been self-diagnosting myself and writing all my medications so the next time I see a doctor, I tell them what I went through... But most of them don't listen and can't wait to prescribed me heavier medication. The thing is most specialist doctors don't touch other Doctor's speciality. So even if a Dermatologist knows something about eye sickness, she/he will not give advice of what medicine to take but instead will only suggest you to see an eye specialist. That's why I jump from one doctor to another without good results. Then my ailment just keeps on getting worse. Nevertheless, I think your advices are better than the Doctors I've seen. You told me what my symptoms are and what made you well. You told me how to apply or ways to improve my eye sickness. Doctors here in Belgium will not even give any suggestions how to apply any medicine. They will tell you apply it 2x/day and that's it!. After reading the info of medicine on the Internet, I would only find it out that it's not even allowed to be applied near the eye.. Can you imagine my horror?! Anyway, after all the heavy medication I've been taking, I hope your advice will help me tremendously. Thank you very much sincerely. Tessa

You're welcome, Tesse.

Yikes! It sounds as though you have a pronounced case of blepharitis and how awful that the specialists seem afraid of stepping across perceived boundaries. The condition comes under BOTH specialties, but more so under ophthalmology. The meibomian glands at the lid margins contribute to the quality and existance of the proper tear film of the eye. When the tear film is compromised, all sorts of unpleasant things can ensue.

Can you go to your primary care doctor and have her/him direct you to a doctor that will serve you better with this infection? You may need some prescription medication. (If I recall correctly, tetracycline an its analogs can help with making the oils of the meibomian glands less viscous or prone to clogging).

There are online support and information groups that focus on these eye conditions. Remove the menopause connection from your thinking for the moment as I don't believe it is helpful (and may only muddy the waters or confuse and distract). The forums or support groups for blepharitis, dry eye and so on have an international membership and some have medical practitioners as members. Of course, you only want evidenced based, science-based forums as that is what is appropriate for your situation.

You need to have this condition properly addressed and should not have to muddle through this alone, treating yourself and guessing. Be polite, respectful and persistent. While its not benificial to continue with a doctor who is clueless or misdirected, you also need to give the professional a chance to review how their prescribed regimen is working or not working. Of course, they might not "see" much pathology if, out of sheer discomfort youv'e had to resort to treating yourself with eyelid washes and so on. Who can blame you?

It might be a good idea to keep an organized, concise journal. That will help you; and you might find it helpful to offer a synopsis of it at your next doctor's appointment.

I feel for you Tesse. I've experienced some eye irritation misery and sometimes it took repeated office visits to a number of practitioners to get the proper help. Somewhere there has to be a fat handful of excellent eye docs in Belgium who can readily address your situation. Search for forums in your country or internationally. You can look on PubMed for publications about blepharitis -- note the authors and affiliated institutions. Belgium is a sophisticated country. It's not like you're at the North Pole (not that there's anything wrong with that -- Saint Nick is at the North Pole).

Keep us posted on your progress. I wish you comfort soon.

You're welcome, Tessa. In the beginning, and even now sometimes, I find right at the base of my eyelashes, but on the eyelids (right where the openings to the tiny glands are) it looks like I had/have some crustiness. So, I take a warm, damp facecloth (again) and put a dab of H2O2 on it and gently rub the crustiness off, again being careful not to get the hydrogen peroxide in my eyes. I should add that sometimes I do find the whole lids get itchy, including my lower lids; but definitely where the gland openings are located gets itchy, too.

When I researched Blepharitis, I did find some information that said in extreme cases the eyelashes can fall out. The cold compresses that you've been using probably had the reverse effect, and closed the glands even more.

starsplitter mentioned allergies; I was wondering if that had something to do with it, too. In menopause, any allergies that we've had will sometimes become even more pronounced.

Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.