Blepharitis

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Rated

4.5

Summary

Blepharitis is an inflammation of your eyelids. It can cause burning, itching, and discharge.
Caused by a bacterial infection, allergies, or tiny skin mites. It isn’t contagious.
Usually treated with good hygiene and eye drops. Chronic cases may need antibiotics.

Blepharitis: essential info
Causes and symptoms
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on January 16, 2026. by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935)

Next review due on January 16, 2029

Last updated on January 16, 2026

Find the Blepharitis treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Blephademodex wipes

Terpinen-4-ol, Sodium Hyaluronate

In stock

Daily eyelid wipes for dry, swollen and itchy eyes. Preservative and detergent free.

Starting from £49.95

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Blephagel

Aqua, Poloaxmer

In stock

An effective gel that helps clean your eyes and reduce irritation.

Starting from £45.95

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Blephasol Lotion

Poloxamer 184

In stock

Micellar solution for cleansing dry, swollen and itchy eyes. Ideal for daily use.

Starting from £44.95

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Hylo-Forte

Sodium Hyaluronate

In stock

Preservative and phosphate-free eye drops with 0.2% sodium hyaluronate.

Starting from £57.95

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Blephaclean Wipes

Aqua, Polaxmer 188

Out of stock

Simple wipes for daily eyelid hygiene. Manage your blepharitis with flexible subscriptions.

Starting from £45.95

Out of stock

Hypromellose Eye Drops

hypromellose

Out of stock

Similar to Artelac. The generic eye drop treatment for Blepharitis and dry eyes.

Starting from £57.95

Out of stock

What causes blepharitis?

Blepharitis is caused by inflammation of the eyelids, but there can be different reasons as to why the inflammation happens.

Sometimes it can be caused by a skin condition, such as eczema, rosacea or dandruff. But sometimes it can be caused by bacterial infections, like staphylococcus (a bacteria that lives on your skin in very small numbers, which doesn’t usually cause you any harm). Occasionally staphylococcus causes other skin infections, like impetigo, but when it gets into your eyelids it can cause blepharitis.

One of the other main causes is tiny mites called demodex that live on our skin and hairline, which can sometimes get together and multiply. When they do, they can cause infections like blepharitis when they get into your eyelashes.

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

Usually both of your eyes are affected by blepharitis, and the main symptom is often sore eyelids. Some other common symptoms include:

a burning sensation in your eyes
a gritty feeling in your eyes
itchy eyes
a greasy or oily appearance to your eyes
a sticky discharge in your eyes, which might be worse in the morning
flaky or scaly patches of skin on your eyelids
a crust that develops at the base of your eyelashes
blocked glands in your eyelids that produce an oily looking discharge^[1]

Can blepharitis lead to other problems?

If you have blepharitis, you might be more likely to develop other eye conditions such as conjunctivitis.

If blepharitis is left untreated or becomes chronic it can occasionally lead to other problems, such as the loss of your eyelashes, the tearing of your corneas or scarring of your eyelids.

If you think you have symptoms of blepharitis, it’s important to get it checked and treated as soon as possible, to prevent it from causing other issues.

Treated trusted sources:

NICE. (n.d.). CKS is only available in the UK.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on January 16, 2026. Next review due on January 16, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What medications are there for blepharitis?

Blepharitis can feel unpleasant, so it’s best to get a diagnosis and treatment fast. Thankfully treatment is often really simple. Most people, after a chat with a clinician, will just need some over the counter eye drops to ease any discomfort. You’ll also be discouraged from unnecessarily touching or rubbing your eyes, as this can lead to further irritation. You’ll often be given specific instructions on skin hygiene and keeping your eyes clean, too.

If you have recurring episodes, or your blepharitis is chronic, then antibiotic treatment (either in the form of eye drops or tablets) is usually the best option.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for blepharitis?

Over the counter eye drops combined with good hygiene is often enough to help ease the condition and deal with any flare-ups.

It’s recommended that you clean your eyes twice a day with a clean cotton or flannel cloth soaked in water that has been boiled and cooled down. Use this to gently wash and dry your eyelids. Ensure the cloth you use is regularly washed.

Sometimes a clean warm flannel that has been soaked in hot water can be used as a compress too. Apply this type of compress twice a day for about 10-15 minutes at a time to soothe your symptoms.^[1]

Does blepharitis always need treatment?

Most people find that they can competently treat blepharitis by themselves at home with the combination of eye drops, good hygiene, warm compresses and making sure that their eyelids are kept clean and dry.

Treated trusted sources:

Patient Information Lid hygiene for blepharitis treatment. (n.d.).

How we source info.

FAQ: Blepharitis

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is blepharitis diagnosed?

Answer:

There are no tests to diagnose blepharitis. It’s usually diagnosed by looking at your symptoms, examining your eyes, and ruling out the potential for other causes or conditions. Sometimes, your doctor might also take an eyelid swab to check for mites or bacteria, or do a tear film test to see if you have dry eyes, which is commonly linked to blepharitis.

Are there different types of blepharitis?

Answer:

Yes. There are different types of blepharitis. It can be chronic (which means it lasts a long time) or acute (where it’s short-lived).

There are two other types of blepharitis known as anterior or posterior. Anterior blepharitis affects the part of your eye where your lash meets your skin.

Posterior blepharitis affects the glands underneath your eye. These glands produce oil but can sometimes end up clogged and produce blepharitis symptoms.

Does blepharitis treatment always work?

Answer:

If your blepharitis is acute, then treatment should work and you should get relief quickly. However, treatments might only provide temporary relief if the condition has an underlying cause, which will also need to be looked at and treated.

If you need to treat chronic, recurring blepharitis then this might take longer, and require a different treatment (with eye drops and oral antibiotics). But if you continue to use the right self-care and hygiene regime to look after your eyes, then even if it’s chronic, the chances of it coming back are lower.

Can you get side effects from blepharitis treatment?

Answer:

Topical treatments, like eye drops, can cause temporary burning or stinging in your eyes when they’re applied. This should pass very quickly and cause minimal discomfort. In general, side effects are pretty rare.

If you need to take oral antibiotics for blepharitis, then they can sometimes cause stomach issues, but they shouldn’t last long.

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