Blepharitis: Causes, Treatments, and Medication Risks

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 often flares up without warning. Also known as eyelid inflammation, it’s not just an annoyance—it can mess with your vision, make your eyes water nonstop, and even lead to more serious eye problems if ignored. This isn’t something you catch from someone else. It’s usually tied to skin conditions like rosacea, oily skin, or bacterial overgrowth near the lash line. Many people think it’s just dandruff on the eyelids—and honestly, that’s not far off. The same kind of yeast and bacteria that cause scalp flakes can live in the oil glands around your eyes, clogging them and triggering swelling.

What makes blepharitis tricky is how often it shows up with other issues. dry eye syndrome, a condition where your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears evaporate too fast is a frequent partner. If you’re using artificial tears but still feel burning, it might be because the root problem isn’t just lack of moisture—it’s inflamed glands that can’t produce the right kind of oil to keep tears stable. And then there’s antibiotic eye drops, a common treatment that helps reduce bacteria but can also disrupt the natural balance of your eyelid microbiome. Some people get temporary relief, then flare worse after stopping them. That’s because blepharitis isn’t just an infection—it’s a cycle of inflammation, blocked glands, and skin irritation.

Good hygiene is the real backbone of managing this. A warm compress for five minutes, followed by gentle scrubbing with baby shampoo or a special eyelid cleanser, does more than most drops. It unclogs the glands, removes debris, and reduces the bacterial load. But here’s the catch: if you’re on long-term steroids or certain acne meds like isotretinoin, you might be making it worse. These drugs dry out your skin—even your eyelids—and can turn a mild case into a constant struggle. Even over-the-counter antihistamines for allergies can dry your eyes and make blepharitis feel like it’s never going away.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of miracle cures. It’s real talk from people who’ve lived with this, and from experts who know how medications interact with everyday habits. You’ll see how common drugs for heartburn, depression, or high blood pressure can silently worsen eyelid inflammation. You’ll learn why some people get relief with tea tree oil and others get burns. And you’ll find out what actually works after years of failed treatments—because blepharitis doesn’t care about quick fixes. It cares about consistency, understanding, and knowing which products to avoid.