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What helps against flaky and sticky eyelashes?
Many people wake up in the morning with flaky and sticky eyelashes. Others have this discomfort on the eye throughout the day, often accompanied by redness and itching. But where does the sticky discharge come from and what can be done about it?
Why do my eyelashes always stick together?
The formation of small flakes and sticky discharge on the eyelashes at the edge of the eyelid can have various causes:
- dry eyes
- eyelid margin inflammation (blepharitis)
- meibomian gland dysfunction
- allergies
- irritation due to cosmetics
- dirty contact lenses
- stye (hordeolum)
- inflammation of the conjunctiva
- inflammation of the cornea
- viral eye infection
- eyelash mites
Often, inflammation of the eyelid margin (blepharitis) or dysfunction of the sebaceous glands located in the eyelid (meibomian gland dysfunction) leads to the secretion build-up. In this case, both eyes are usually affected equally. If, on the other hand, the eyelashes are only sticking on one eye, conjunctivitis could be the reason. If the cause is an inflammatory eye disease, the eyelids are sometimes even so stuck together that sufferers can barely open their eyes when they wake up. At this point at the latest, a visit to the ophthalmologist is advisable to treat the inflammation and avoid subsequent damage.
It is also worth noting that viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. To avoid spreading the germs through contact with contaminated surfaces, regular hand washing and extremely careful hygiene are essential.
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Why do eyelashes stick together in the morning?
Often, sticky discharge is present on the eyelids in the morning after waking up. This is because while we sleep, mucus and secretions accumulate on the eyelid margins between the eyelashes. Sebaceous glands located in the eyelid (meibomian glands) continuously produce an oily film that covers the tear fluid like a protective shield when blinking and stabilises it. Since we don't blink while we sleep, a build-up of secretions can occur, which can lead to the sticky discharge.
However, while this sounds harmless in itself, it can also be a symptom of various eye conditions, such as eyelid margin inflammation or meibomian gland dysfunction. In these cases, the production of the normally oily secretion is affected, making it viscous and depositing it on the eyelid margins. If the eyelashes are often flaky and sticky or the eyelids are red and swollen, the eyes should be examined by a doctor.
What helps against flaky and sticky eyelashes?
One of the first steps for flaky, sticky eyelashes is to carefully clean the eyelids and eyelid margins. This is because the build-up and sticky discharge serve as an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Eyelid margin hygiene measures should be performed to alleviate existing irritation and avoid risking further infections. For chronic blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, this should be done regularly, i.e. twice a day. It consists of three steps:
- Heat treatment: The heat loosens sticky discharge and encrustations. Accumulated secretions become liquid and can be removed from the eyelid margins in the next step. Special eye masks that emit a constant heat for several minutes are suitable for the treatment.
- Cleaning: After gently massaging the eyelid margins, which loosens the secretion build-up in the sebaceous glands, remove the residue with a moist cotton pad or eyelid hygiene wipe.
- Care: In the last step, care for the eyes with moisturising eye drops or an eye spray to relieve irritation.
Depending on the cause and diagnosis, inflammation of the eye is additionally treated with eye drops or eye ointments, if necessary with antibiotics or cortisone. As long as the symptoms persist, it is best to avoid wearing make-up and contact lenses. This allows the eyes to regenerate without stress until the symptoms have subsided.