If your eyelid rims are red and irritated, if they burn and itch or if you've noticed an oily discharge or scaly skin around them, you may have an inflammatory problem called "blepharitis". Some people describe it as "psoriasis of the eyelids".

Blepharitis may be either of two main types or a combination of them.

Seborrheic blepharitis
Characterized by an excessive discharge of oil/grease from the skin around the eyelids. It is usually accompanied by similarly greasy hair and skin.

Staphylococcal blepharitis
A bacterial infection. It is more likely to result in infective eyelid conditions, such as styes.

What are the treatments?
To treat blepharitis, it is helpful to apply warm water compresses over the closed eyelids for several minutes.  Additionally, gently rubbing the eyelashes with a dilute solution of baby shampoo or with a commercially available cleansing pad can be helpful.  In some cases, prescription eyedrops, ointments, or oral antibiotics are needed to control the condition.