Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Staphylococcal BlepharitisStaphylococcal Blepharitis SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Staphylococcal Blepharitis
Staphylococcal Blepharitis Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Staphylococcus aureusis a type of bacteria that we all have on our skin, in our nose, and all over our bodies. It doesn’t always cause a problem, but when this bacteria is out of balance in the body it can lead toinfections.
In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments of staphylococcal blepharitis.
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What Are Staph Infections?
Staphylococcus aureusis the most common type of staphylococcus bacteria that causes blepharitis. Other types of staph bacteria can also cause blepharitis, includingStaphylococcus epidermidis,coagulase-negative staphylococci, andmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Recap
Drainage and crusty discharge are the mostcommon symptoms. Other symptoms of staphylococcal blepharitis can include:
Causes and Risk Factors of Flaky Eyelids
There are many ways that the staphylococcus bacteria can enter the eye and cause an infection. Contaminated contact lenses and cosmetics both carry the risk of causing staphylococcal blepharitis. However, dry eyes also have a significant link to bacterial infections in the eye, including staphylococcal blepharitis.
Dry eyes and staphylococcal blepharitis developed together in 50% to 75% of people, although it’s not clear which one causes the other.It’s believed that dry eyes can increase the risk of injuries and irritation that can allow staphylococcus bacteria to colonize and cause infection.
Other conditions likerosaceaandseborrheic dermatitisor blocked oil glands on the eyelid can also lead to staphylococcal blepharitis—sometimes as a secondary infection due to the blockages and ulcers that may form around them.
To diagnose blepharitis, your doctor will exam your eye and eyelid, usually with a magnifier and bright light. If a bacterial infection is suspected as the cause of your inflammation, your doctor may use a swab to collect a sample from the infected area.
Cultures of the sampled material can reveal exactly what type of bacteria is causing the infection. Antibiotic therapy can be targeted to clear up the infection most effectively.
Antibioticsare prescribed to treat most bacterial infections—including staphylococcal blepharitis. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of eye drops, ointments, or pills.
The most commonly used antibiotics for treating staphylococcal blepharitis are topical forms of:
These are usually applied after cleaning your eyelid with warm water and mild soap. You may need to use these ointments for four to eight weeks, depending on how severe the infection is.
Your doctor can help you develop a plan for good hygiene that can help control this chronic condition, but you should expect to have periods of acute flare-ups and remission when the condition disappears. Strict management of blepharitis is important to prevent more serious complications like vision problems or cornea damage.
RecapMost cases of staphylococcal blepharitis are chronic, but you can expect to have periods of remission when the condition is under control.
Most cases of staphylococcal blepharitis are chronic, but you can expect to have periods of remission when the condition is under control.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
As uncomfortable as eyelid irritation can be, there are a number of things you can do as you wait out a flare-up of staphylococcal blepharitis. While antibiotics are used to treat active infections, blepharitis is usually a chronic condremition. Talk to your doctor about preventive and comfort measures you can take to keep your infection under control.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBacteria from the staphylococcus group are the cause of this type of blepharitis, but it is also associated with other eye problems including severe dryness.If it’s a limited infection, antibiotics can cure staphylococcal blepharitis, but many cases are chronic. This means you will have periods of flare-ups and remission.Learn MoreHow Blepharitis Is TreatedA visual examination of your eye and eyelid is usually enough for a diagnosis, but your doctor may also take a sample of any drainage for testing.Redness, irritation, and swelling are primary symptoms of blepharitis, but bacterial forms of the condition usually feature some kind of crust or drainage too.It can take time for staphylococcal blepharitis to clear up, but warm compresses and regular eye cleaning can help make you more comfortable.Learn MoreHow to Do a DIY Eyelid Scrub for Blepharitis
Bacteria from the staphylococcus group are the cause of this type of blepharitis, but it is also associated with other eye problems including severe dryness.
If it’s a limited infection, antibiotics can cure staphylococcal blepharitis, but many cases are chronic. This means you will have periods of flare-ups and remission.Learn MoreHow Blepharitis Is Treated
If it’s a limited infection, antibiotics can cure staphylococcal blepharitis, but many cases are chronic. This means you will have periods of flare-ups and remission.
Learn MoreHow Blepharitis Is Treated
A visual examination of your eye and eyelid is usually enough for a diagnosis, but your doctor may also take a sample of any drainage for testing.
Redness, irritation, and swelling are primary symptoms of blepharitis, but bacterial forms of the condition usually feature some kind of crust or drainage too.
It can take time for staphylococcal blepharitis to clear up, but warm compresses and regular eye cleaning can help make you more comfortable.Learn MoreHow to Do a DIY Eyelid Scrub for Blepharitis
It can take time for staphylococcal blepharitis to clear up, but warm compresses and regular eye cleaning can help make you more comfortable.
Learn MoreHow to Do a DIY Eyelid Scrub for Blepharitis
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Staphylococcus aureusbasics.Abelson M, Shapiro A, Tobey C.A guide for breaking down blepharitis.MedlinePlus.Staphylococcus infections.Utheim T, Hodges RR, Dartt DA.The eyelid. In:Pathobiology of Human Disease. Elsevier; 2014:2201-2215. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-386456-7.04712-2Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blepharitis.Putnam CM.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Staphylococcus aureusbasics.Abelson M, Shapiro A, Tobey C.A guide for breaking down blepharitis.MedlinePlus.Staphylococcus infections.Utheim T, Hodges RR, Dartt DA.The eyelid. In:Pathobiology of Human Disease. Elsevier; 2014:2201-2215. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-386456-7.04712-2Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blepharitis.Putnam CM.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Staphylococcus aureusbasics.Abelson M, Shapiro A, Tobey C.A guide for breaking down blepharitis.MedlinePlus.Staphylococcus infections.Utheim T, Hodges RR, Dartt DA.The eyelid. In:Pathobiology of Human Disease. Elsevier; 2014:2201-2215. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-386456-7.04712-2Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blepharitis.Putnam CM.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795
Cleveland Clinic.Staphylococcus aureusbasics.
Abelson M, Shapiro A, Tobey C.A guide for breaking down blepharitis.
MedlinePlus.Staphylococcus infections.
Utheim T, Hodges RR, Dartt DA.The eyelid. In:Pathobiology of Human Disease. Elsevier; 2014:2201-2215. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-386456-7.04712-2
Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blepharitis.
Putnam CM.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S84795
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