Facial trauma is any injury of the face and upper jaw bone (maxilla).

 

 

Causes

Blunt or penetrating trauma can cause injury to the area of the face that includes the upper jaw, lower jaw, cheek, nose, or forehead. Common causes of injury to the face include:

• Automobile accidents
• Penetrating injuries
• Violence

Symptoms

• Changes in sensation and feeling over the face
• Deformed or uneven face or facial bones
• Difficulty breathing through the nose due to swelling and bleeding
• Double vision
• Missing teeth
• Swelling around the eyes that may cause vision problems

reatment

Patients who cannot function normally or who have significant deformity will need surgery.

The goal of treatment is to:

• Control bleeding
• Create a clear airway
• Fix broken bone segments with titanium plates and screws
• Leave the fewest scars possible
• Rule out other injuries
• Treat the fracture

Treatment should be immediate, as long as the person is stable and there are no neck fractures or life-threatening injuries.

Possible Complications

General complications include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Uneven face
• Infection
• Brain and nervous system problems
• Numbness or weakness
• Loss of vision or double vision

What is buttock augmentation?

Buttock augmentation, sometimes referred to as a “Brazilian butt lift” when fat transfer is involved, uses butt implants, fat grafting or sometimes a combination of both to increase the size of your behind.

What buttock augmentation surgery can do

• Increase fullness, roundness and projection of your butt or buttocks
• Improve the balance of your figure
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

Buttock augmentation surgery is right for someone who does not like the shape of their butt or is looking to balance their body. It is commonly performed in one of two ways, with butt implants or fat transfer. The fat transfer procedure is commonly known as a Brazilian butt lift.

Buttock augmentation candidates

Buttock augmentation is a very personal procedure and you should do it for yourself, not for someone else.

You may be a good candidate for buttock augmentation if:

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the feeling that your butt is too small
• You are unhappy with the roundness or general shape of your butt
• Your butt is asymmetrical

Buttock augmentation recovery

After buttock augmentation surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored.

You may be permitted to go home after a few hours. Before leaving, you will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your buttocks and any areas that may have been liposuctioned following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

You will be instructed to wear a support garment “around the clock” following your surgery. Your surgeon will tell you how long you need to wear the garment and if there are any other garments that you may have to wear during your recovery.

Each buttock augmentation procedure has specific steps that you need to take to ensure a healthy recovery and good results:

Buttock augmentation with implants

You will need to wear a support garment for approximately two to three weeks after your procedure. This will help the skin redrape properly and provide support to the augmented buttocks. Final results are noticeable three months after surgery. At this point, most of the swelling will be gone and the implants will be settled in their normal position.

Buttock augmentation with fat grafting

You will be asked to avoid prolonged sitting for about two weeks (some surgeons prefer longer). This is very important because prolonged sitting will damage the fat.

You will also be encouraged to sleep face down or on your side. When you do have to sit, you will have to use a pillow or cushion placed behind the legs (hamstring muscles) to help raise the buttocks, avoiding pressure onto the fat grafts.

You will also be provided with a support garment that will apply even compression to the areas that were treated with liposuction. In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Your surgeon may encourage you to seek a lymphatic massage from a licensed massage therapist. You can generally resume exercise after six to eight weeks.

With either procedure, it is important to be informed about the steps you can take to aid your recovery.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• How long will I wear the compression garment?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop.

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Buttock augmentation risks and safety

The decision to have buttock augmentation surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any buttock augmentation risks and potential complications.

Buttock augmentation with implants risks include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Opening of the incisions with implant exposed requiring removal
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Firmness
• Implant rupture
• Implant migration
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Pressure on your sciatic nerve
• Anesthesia risks

Buttock augmentation by fat transfer risks include:

• Excessive loss of blood
• Blood clots
• Bruising
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Numbness and pain
• Fat embolism, injection of fat into the bloodstream that causes inflammation in the lungs
• Infection
• Fluid shifts and lidocaine toxicity
• Complications of liposuction
• Complications of anesthesia
• Swelling and bruising
• Asymmetry
• Possible need for a revision surgery at a later date
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Anesthesia risks
• Oil cyst
• Hematoma
• Stretch marks
• Cellulite

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

What is ear surgery?

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear.

Otoplasty can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth that becomes apparent with development or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury.

Ear surgery creates a more natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem.

If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.

What ear surgery can treat

• Overly large ears — a condition called macrotia
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery

Ear surgery candidates

Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally 5 years old, or when a child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
• Cooperative and follow instructions well
• Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed

Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Nonsmokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

 

Step 2 – The incision

Correction of protruding ears uses surgical techniques to create or increase the antihelical fold (just inside the rim of the ear) and to reduce enlarged conchal cartilage (the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear). Incisions for otoplasty are generally made on the back surface of the ear. When incisions are necessary on the front of the ear, they are made within its folds to hide them. Internal, nonremovable sutures are used to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions

External stitches close the incision. Techniques are individualized, taking care not to distort other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance.

Step 4 – See the results

Ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible once the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear.

 

Ear surgery risks and safety

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal and you will have to weigh the potential benefits in achieving your goals with the risks and potential complications of ear surgery. Only you can make that decision for yourself.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo, the alternatives and the most likely risks and potential complications.

Possible breast augmentation surgery risks include:

• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Change in skin sensation
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration/swelling
• Anesthesia risks
• Unfavorable scarring
• Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
• Pain, which may persist
• Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Where will my surgery be performed?

Ear surgery may be performed in your board-certified plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

After surgery, bandages or dressings will be applied to keep your surgical site clean, protect it from trauma and to support the new position of the ear during initial healing.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to take care of your ears following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

When you go home

Should any complications occur, notify your plastic surgeon who will determine if any additional treatment is needed.

Be careful

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, sunlight or tanning bed light, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

It’s very important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

What is breast lift surgery?

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well.

A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Weight fluctuations
• Aging
• Gravity
• Heredity

What breast lift surgery can’t do

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast.If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery.

If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.

Breast lift risks and safety

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast lift surgery are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.

Breast lift risks include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding or hematoma formation
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Breast asymmetry
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation
• Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Breast lift and breast implant placement

Some women may want to consider placement of a breast implant in addition to the breast lift.

An implant can provide improved upper breast fullness or cleavage. Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure, depending on the experience of the surgeon.

Preparing for breast lift surgery

In preparing for breast lift surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat that you can’t seem to get rid of through diet and exercise.

A plastic or dermatologic surgeon usually does the procedure on your hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, or face to improve their shape. But liposuction can also be done with other plastic surgeries, including facelifts, breast reductions, and tummy tucks.

Liposuction removes fat from your body using suction. During liposuction, small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes (cannula) are inserted through tiny cuts in the skin. Fat is suctioned out through these tubes as the doctor moves the tubes around under the skin to target specific fat deposits.

In recent years, improved techniques have made liposuction safer, easier, and less painful. These newer techniques include:

• Tumescent liposuction. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area of your body where the tube will be inserted. Next, a large amount of an anesthetic solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the fatty tissue before traditional liposuction is done. Tumescent liposuction may not require general anesthesia (which makes you sleep through the procedure).
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction. This technique uses ultrasound to liquefy the fat, which makes it easier to remove. This technique may be particularly helpful in removing fat from the neck, upper abdomen, sides, and back.
• Laser-assisted liposuction. This technique uses low-energy waves to liquefy the fat, which is removed through a small cannula.

Liposuction is usually done as an outpatient procedure in a properly equipped doctor’s office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital. In general, it does not require an overnight hospital stay unless a large volume of fat is being removed. Local anesthesia is used in some cases. And you may or may not be given a sedative to help you relax. If a large area or volume of fat is being treated, general anesthesia or deep sedation with a local anesthetic may be used.

What To Expect After Treatment

After the procedure, the area of the body that was treated is firmly wrapped to help reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Elastic bandages and tape, support hose (such as those used to treat varicose veins), a special girdle, or another type of firm-fitting garment may be used, depending on which part of the body was treated. You may have to wear the compression garment or wrap for 3 to 4 weeks. Expect a lot of bruising and swelling for at least the first 7 to 10 days.

Fluid may drain from the incision sites for several days. You may be given antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

Most people are able to get up and move around as soon as the treatment is finished and after the effects of the anesthesia and any sedation have worn off. You can return to your normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable, although this may take several days to a few weeks. Most people can return to work within a few days. Recovery may take longer if large areas were treated.

Why It Is Done

The main purpose of liposuction is to reshape one or more areas of your body, not to reduce body weight. Liposuction is typically used on “problem” areas that have not responded well to diet and exercise. These areas are often on the outer thighs and hips on women and the waist and back on men. The face, neck, abdomen, back, buttocks, legs, and upper arms are all commonly treated areas.

Liposuction is sometimes used in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a “tummy tuck” (abdominoplasty), breast reduction, or face-lift.

Liposuction may also be used to treat certain medical conditions, including:

• Benign fatty tumors (lipomas).
• Abnormal enlargement of the male breasts (gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia).
• Problems with metabolism of fat in the body (lipodystrophy).
• Excessive sweating in the armpit area (axillary hyperhidrosis).

Liposuction is not used to treat obesity. It will not get rid of cellulite or stretch marks.

How Well It Works

Liposuction is usually very effective at removing fat deposits in small areas. But if you regain weight after having liposuction, the fatty bulges that were removed are likely to return or may appear in a different place.

Some improvement in body contour is usually noticeable right after surgery. And improvement may continue for several weeks or even months as the swelling goes away. The full effects of having liposuction may not be visible for several months to a year.

Liposuction (except for laser liposuction) generally does not tighten the skin over the treated area. After fat has been removed, the skin around the area may be somewhat loose. It may take up to 6 months for the skin to tighten around the treated area. Some people’s skin is very elastic and retracts more quickly than other people’s skin. Younger skin tends to have greater elasticity than older skin.

People who expect liposuction to help them lose weight are usually disappointed.

Risks

Liposuction done by an experienced doctor in a properly equipped facility is usually safe. Having more than one area treated, or having a very large area treated, may increase the risk of complications during or after the procedure.

Common side effects of liposuction include:

• Temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in and around the treated areas.
• Irritation and minor scarring around the incision sites where the cannulas were inserted.
• Baggy or rippling skin. The skin will usually tighten and retract after a few months. But in some people the skin may remain somewhat loose.

Less common side effects include:

• Permanent color changes in the skin.
• Uneven skin surface over the treated area.
• Damage to the nerves and skin. The heat generated during ultrasound-assisted liposuction may burn the skin or damage the tissue under the skin.

If you gain weight after having liposuction, your body may store the new fat in a different place than where you had fat cells removed. New fat can grow deep inside your body, around your organs, such as your heart or liver. This type of fat can be more harmful to your body than fat that is stored near the surface of your body, such as on your hips or thighs. So people who have liposuction need to be careful not to gain extra weight.

Dangerous complications

Although death is very rare with liposuction, it can happen. If you are having a large amount of fat removed, are obese, or have health problems, your risks go up. Possible complications include:

• Excessive blood and fluid loss, leading to shock. But this is extremely unlikely.
• Fat clots or blood clots, which may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and become life-threatening.
• Buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This is most likely to occur when a large volume of fluid is injected into the body.
• Infection. In some cases, antibiotics may be given before or after liposuction to help prevent infection.
• Toxic reaction to the injected solution (lidocaine toxicity), especially if large areas or many areas are treated at one time.
• A puncture into the cavity containing the abdominal organs or damage to an organ such as the spleen.

Liposuction should not be done in people who have severe heart problems, who have blood-clotting disorders (such as thrombophilia, a disorder in which the blood clots easily or excessively), or during pregnancy.

What are spider veins?

In some women, spider veins—those small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles—become noticeable at a young age. For others, the veins may not become obvious until much later.

 

Causes of spider veins

A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including:

• Heredity
• Hormonal shifts
• Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing
• Pregnancy
• Weight fluctuation

There are effective, safe and relatively painless methods available for reducing spider veins.

Spider vein treatment procedure steps

Your spider vein treatment procedure may include the following steps:

Injection

The common method of treating spider veins in the legs and ankles is called sclerotherapy.

During treatment, a sclerosing solution is injected into the affected veins. The injection irritates the inside of the vein, and over time the vein will collapse and fade from view.

If you have multiple spider veins, the treatment will require multiple injections to collapse all the veins.

Bright light and magnification may be used to ensure maximum precision while injecting the sclerosing solution.

Post-injection

After treatment, the area may be dressed with compressive tape or stockings, or an elastic Ace wrap for a period of time.

The veined area often looks a bit bruised initially, and the color slowly fades over the course of a few weeks.

Some people can have a bit of brownish discoloration (hyperpigmentation) occur to the area during the healing process. This hyperpigmentation fades as well, but may take months.

Laser treatment option

Spider veins may also be treated with a laser.

In this method, an intense beam of light is directed at the spider vein, which obliterates it through the skin.

More than one laser session may be needed to obtain the desired results. Sometimes, laser therapy is used in combination with sclerotherapy.

 

Motherhood has its rewards. Sagging or shrunken breasts and protruding stomachs are not among them. When exercise and diet don’t work, many women turn to plastic surgery to correct the unwanted after effects of childbearing and breastfeeding. Mommy makeover is multiple plastic surgery procedures that restore or improve their post pregnancy bodies.

During pregnancy the skin, muscles stretches resulting in laxity of the muscle, skin with stretch marks after the delivery. In most of the women due to lack of exercise/dieting post delivery/or in spite of doing exercises/dieting the muscle will not regain the tone/skin will not go for contraction resulting in the following combinations. Large abdomen mimicking pregnancy shape due to fat deposition, lax muscles and protrusion of abdominal contents outside or combination of the both with stretch marks. May be due to diverication of the recti, weakening of the muscle resulting in pregnancy appearance, may result in hernia in future date. Only lax skin with stretch marks without lax muscle. Only lax muscle without lax skin. Baby breast feeding may cause breasts to loose volume or sag. Rarely large breasts due to pregnancy may remain large.

Mommy make over surgery includes what surgeries?
Tummy tucking
Liposuction
Breast augmentation
Breast lift/tightening

Other surgeries are
Breast reduction
Areola reduction
Vaginal tightening
Labia reduction
Arm reduction
Face lift etc

Brief description about common procedures
Breast augmentation enhances the breast size using implants or by using available breast tissue. The surgery takes 2-3 hours and can be done on outpatient facility. Most patients are able to return to work in a few days.

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdomen wall. This procedure leaves the patient with a scar, which can extend from hip to hip. Most of them will recover after 2 week Correct time for this surgery- A year after delivery any time can be done. It is advisable no to do these procedures if the patient is planning to have few more children. No insurance cover, unless the patient is having hernia of the abdomen. All the procedures can be done together if the person is in a good health

Length:

2-6 hours, depends on the number of procedures

Anesthesia:

General anesthesia will be given.

Inpatient/Outpatient:

Depending on the type of surgery can be done on outpatient basis/or require admission for 48 hours.

Possible Side Effects/Risks:

Any surgical procedure will have side effects, depends on the type of surgery/to be discussed in detail before the surgery.

Recovery:

Depends on the type of procedure, in general will take about a weeks time.

Results:

Appreciable change will be seen with improved self confidence.

What are styes and chalazia?

Styes and chalazia are lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid. They may be painful or annoying, but they are rarely serious. Most will go away on their own without treatment.

• A stye  is an infection that causes a tender red lump on the eyelid. Most styes occur along the edge of the eyelid. When a stye occurs inside the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum (say “hor-dee-OH-lum”).
• A chalazion (say “kuh-LAY-zee-on”) is a lump in the eyelid. Chalazia (plural) may look like styes, but they are usually larger and may not hurt.

Styes and chalazia may be related to blepharitis, a common problem that causes inflammation of the eyelids.

What causes a stye or chalazion?

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection. Usually the bacteria grow in the root (follicle) of an eyelash. An internal hordeolum is caused by infection in one of the tiny oil glands inside the eyelid.

A chalazion forms when an oil gland in the eyelid becomes blocked. If an internal hordeolum doesn’t drain and heal, it can turn into a chalazion.

What are the symptoms?

A stye usually starts as a red bump that looks like a pimple along the edge of the eyelid.

• As the stye grows, the eyelid becomes swollen and painful, and the eye may water.
• Most styes swell for about 3 days before they break open and drain.
• Styes usually heal in about a week.

A chalazion starts as a firm lump or cyst under the skin of the eyelid.

• Unlike styes, chalazia often don’t hurt.
• Chalazia grow more slowly than styes. If a chalazion gets large enough, it may affect your vision.
• The inflammation and swelling may spread to the area surrounding the eye.
• Chalazia often go away in a few months without treatment.

How is a stye or chalazion diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose these problems by closely examining the eyelid. It may be hard to tell the difference between a stye and a chalazion. If there is a hard lump inside the eyelid, the doctor will probably diagnose it as a chalazion.

How are they treated?

Home treatment is all that is needed for most styes and chalazia.

• Apply warm, wet compresses for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 6 times a day. This usually helps the area heal faster. It may also help open a blocked pore so that it can drain and start to heal.
• Use an over-the-counter treatment. Try an ointment (such as Stye), solution (such as Bausch and Lomb Eye Wash), or medicated pads (such as Ocusoft Lid Scrub).
• Let the stye or chalazion open on its own. Don’t squeeze or open it.
• Don’t wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the area has healed.

If a stye is not getting better with home treatment, talk to your doctor. You may need a prescription for antibiotic eye ointment or eyedrops. You may need to take antibiotic pills if infection has spread to the eyelid or eye.

If a stye or chalazion gets very large, the doctor may need to pierce (lance) it so it can drain and heal. Do not try to lance it yourself.

How can you prevent styes and chalazia?

• Don’t rub your eyes. This can irritate your eyes and let in bacteria. If you need to touch your eyes, wash your hands first.
• Protect your eyes from dust and air pollution when you can. For example, wear safety glasses when you do dusty chores like raking or mowing the lawn.
• Replace eye makeup, especially mascara, at least every 6 months. Bacteria can grow in makeup.
• If you get styes or chalazia often, wash your eyelids regularly with a little bit of baby shampoo mixed in warm water.
• Treat any inflammation or infection of the eyelid promptly.

Immunotherapy :

This inflammation of the eyelids is the most common cause of dry eyes. It can result from:

• An excess growth of bacteria that’s normally found on your skin
• A blocked oil gland on your eyelid
• A hormone imbalance
• Allergies

What Are the Symptoms?

It makes your eyelids red, itchy, and a little swollen. The bases of your eyelashes may also look scaly. You might also notice:

• Feeling like something is in your eye
• A burning feeling in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Red and swollen eyes or eyelids
• Blurry vision
• Dry eyes
• Crusty eyelashes

How Is Blepharitis Treated?

There is no cure. But it can be treated and controlled. Just take care of your eyelids. If you don’t treat blepharitis, it could scar or injure your eye.

If you have blepharitis, take the steps listed below to help cleanse your eye:

• Wet a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water.
• Wring it out and place it over your closed eyelids for 5 minutes.
• Rewet as necessary to keep it warm. This will help soften crusts and loosen oily debris.

If your doctor advises:

• Make a solution of half baby shampoo or mild soap, half water. Place the cloth over your index finger, dip it in the mix, and use it to clean your eyelid.
• Wash one lid at a time. Close the eye you’re cleaning. Rub the washcloth over your eyelashes and the edge of your lids for about 30 seconds to loosen clogged oils. Apply light pressure to squeeze out clogged oils from the glands behind your lashes.
• Rinse thoroughly with a clean, warm, wet washcloth. Pat dry.

If the blepharitis results from a problem with your oil glands, the doctor may suggest a testosterone cream to put on your eyelids. He may also suggest LipiFlow, a 12-minute procedure that gently heats clogged glands and applies mild pressure to “milk out” the oils.

Can I Prevent Blepharitis?

• Keep your eyelids clean.
• Remove all eye makeup before bedtime.
• Don’t use eyeliner on the back edges of your eyelids behind the lashes.
• If you’re in the early stages of treating blepharitis, you can prevent further irritation by not using makeup.
• Once you do start to use it again, replace products used in or near your eyelids. They may be contaminated.