*Malassezia ~ Dealing with Chronic Blepharitis (PT1)*
*
K1: * malassezia in the eyebrow *
K2: * losing eyelashes *
I do Not particularly consider my Condition as Chronic
since i have only had two troublesome Flair-Ups throughout.
One a couple years back, still in the early stages
when i had to resort to wearing Goggles at Bedtimes
to deter Malassezia savaging my eyes.
The Other more recently due to Shampoo experimentations
and underestimating the maintenance frequency necessary
to avoid the eventual build-up.
*
What i definitely consider as Chronic
is the Likelihood of Recurrence
and Necessity for Vigilance and Prophylactic Maintenance.
*
Causes of Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an Inflammation of the Eyelids, caused by either
a) Staphyloccal Bacteria
b) Malassezia Yeast /Fungus
and its related condition Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
c) Meibomian gland dysfunction
d) All or Combination of the above
due to resulting Inflammation, Contamination and Infection
Naturally so, since they would all be Present because:
a) Staphyloccal Bacteria are harmless and reside normally
on the skin and mucous membranes (Wikipedia)
b) Malassezia is also harmless part of Normal Body Flora
( This, until… something goes wrong somewhere
i.e Illness or Infection/s affecting immunity
and/or frequent or long term Antibiotic treatments etc. )
*
Malassezia and Blepharitis
* Malassezia triggers inflammatory reaction causing Blepharitis
* Malassezia is highly attracted to Inflammation
due to the easier availability of blood which seems to need for its cloning.
* Malassezia is attracted to Humidity and Oils
The Eyes Provide Humidity/and Meibomian gland Oily Fluids
* Blepharitis is considered as Chronic and Persistent
with Recurrent Flair-Ups alternating with Symptom Free periods.
*
Some Regular Malassezia Characteristic i have observed over time are:
1) After a Persistent period of practically devastating a particular area,
it abandons it suddenly -for no apparent treason- and moves
to a different one.
I extrapolate this is because the area does not provide enough
of its requirements or perhaps of successful survival of its Clones
– until the area has healed again and becomes a target once more…
2) Another observed Characteristic is that it is more likely to Return
to a Previously Invaded area than to attempt doing so to a New one
thus causing the Blepharitis –and Other Areas– Periodic Recurrences.
3) Relocation -of which i have referred to in Previous Entries-
when Treatments that Do not kill it on Impact are applied
and force it to move to different areas, such as
from Scalp to Face, Ears, Eyes (Blepharitis), etc
*
Malassezia and Eyesight
General Vew is that Eyesight is rarely affected as a direct result
but in reality there are detrimental effects in the Long Term:
Although Transparent and Invisible the Malassezia Liquid is Thick
and
* Covers and Clouds the Eyes
* Obscures the Eyesight possibly putting stress on relevant optic nerves
* Deprives the Eyes from Oxygen
* Prevents the Natural Meibomian gland Oily Fluids
to Hydrate and Lubricate the Eyes Causing them to Dry out
* At times as the Clones develop it Feels Gritty and Bothersome
* It is alive and Sucks Blood from the Eye Blood vessels
causing discomfort and irritation
(My Ophthalmologist had seen Splinter haemorrhages in my Eyes
-Splinter haemorrhages are small areas of bleeding
i usually had them under finger nails –
and although other causes cannot be excluded
i consider Malassezia presence one of them
Photos under Microscope confirm)
Malassezia and Eyes – Symptoms
I have experienced a Combination of these Symptoms
in either or Both of the two occasions:
Eyelids
* Red, Puffy and Itchy (Both or either of )
* Eyelid Flatter
* Oily Sticky Eyelids
* Dandruff like Scales embedding on Eyelids (*1)
* Eyelids partly glued together in the morning
with Dry Crusted liquid
*
(*1) The embedded Scales are due to development of Hyphae
digging-in on the skin surface, preparing for cloning
easily visible under Biological Microscope.
The longer allowed to remain on eyelid the harder to scrape off
and the more of eventual corrosion of the skin
resulting in bleeding when eventually scraped off
Eyelash Beds
* Red Sore and /or Itchy Inflamed
* Pus filled and leaking
Eyes and Vision
* Blurred Vision as if through glazed glass
* Fine Grit gathering at Inner Eye edge (near nose)
* Burning Liquid on Outer Eye edge
* Sore and Dry
Eyelashes
* Hair or Spider like Movement on Eyelashes
* White, Gritty Dandruff like granules
* Loss of Eyelashes
* Discolouration of Eyelashes
The Combination of Symptoms was different each time
*
Elements that Contribute to Blepharitis
Flair-ups and /or Start Ups
In already Present
As a Pathogenic Malassezia Condition
* Antibiotics *1
* Head Lice Treatments *2-1
* Scalp and or Face Cosmetic containing Oils, Fragrances etc*2-2
* Scalp and Face Chemical Treatments
(dandruff, acne, rosacea, yeast, etc etc)
* Eye Irritation
* Red Eye and or Blood Vessel Inflammation*3
* Malassezia Periodical choice of topical Invasion
* Winter Viruses, Colds and Flu
* Trichillomania (Urge to ‘Pull’ the lashes )
* Low Immunity
*
1 Antibiotics Cause Some Imbalance that Exacerbate Malassezia Presence
2 (1-2) Exposure and Use of Lice Treatments – due to containing
a) Chemicals
that Upset the natural –Friendly– Flora of the Scalp, causing
some of the opportunistic aggressive ones to Relocate to the Eyes
and
b) Oils or Both which promote a proliferate growth of the Yeast
that would otherwise be unobtrusive
3 Excessive Sugary /Alcoholic or Fats Intake
Dilate /enlarge Blood Vessels and Veins
4 Malassezia Triggered Inflammation and Itchiness
cause -the Trichillomania- urge to Pull and Remove the cause
(Other Psychological conditions may apply in some cases)
Either or All can cause
Persistent Blepharitis Recurrence
*
(Part 2 to follow)
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All References are Based
On my Own Unfolding Personal Experiences
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