Is an inflammation of the lacrimal gland contagious?
An inflammation of the lacrimal gland is quite common in newborns and babies. Usually the cause of such an inflammation is a bacterial infection. But viruses such as the mumps virus also play a role in its development.
The well-known childhood diseases scarlet fever and mumps favour the development of an inflammation of the lacrimal gland. Scarlet fever particularly affects children between the ages of three and ten. Mumps mostly affects children between the ages of four and fifteen.
The children can suffer from scarlet fever up to four times. However, an infection with mumps leaves behind a lifelong immunity. In babies and newborns, the inflammation is mainly caused by a congenital obstruction of the lacrimal duct.
In about one third of newborns, this drainage route of the tears is blocked by a thin membrane. This is indicated by recurring inflammation of the eye on the affected side. It water and shows a yellowish crust on the edges of the eyelids, especially in the morning, but especially on the inner corner of the eye.
This is caused by the inflammatory secretions of the lacrimal gland and the increased flow of tears. The lacrimal congestion in the eye favors the settlement of bacteria and thus creates good conditions for the development of an inflammation. Such bacterial inflammation is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops.
These are easier to apply to babies than ointments. In many cases, however, the problem solves itself spontaneously within the first year of life (usually within the first five months of life). If this is not the case, the tear duct is then probed and rinsed under anaesthetic after the first year of life.
This procedure is painful and therefore takes place under anesthesia. Apart from this, there are also other congenital malformations in the area of the lacrimal duct which can lead to recurring inflammations. Also, rhinitis and sinusitis can lead to blockages and stenoses in the area of the tear ducts, causing a congestion of tears in babies.
If medication is not sufficient for treatment, the natural tear ducts can also be restored by surgery (tear duct endoscopy). Very rarely a tear duct prosthesis may be necessary. These operations are also very painful and are therefore performed under anesthesia.
Certain risk factors and underlying diseases sometimes lead to chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland: The chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland is usually caused by a bacterial pathogen. These include staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci.
- Immunosuppression
- Immunodeficiency
- Scarlet fever
- Mumps
- Flu
- Common colds
- Insect bite
- Diphtheria
- Tuberculosis
- Leukemia
- Lymphogranulomatosis
- Sarcoidosis
Dacryoadenitis is divided into two forms: acute inflammation of the lacrimal gland (Dacryoadenitis acuta) and chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland (Dacryoadenitis chronica).
The chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland is usually a one-sided clinical picture. Only the affected eye is swollen, strongly reddened and painful under pressure. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) is also possible.
The upper eyelid shows the so-called “paragraph form”. Because of the pain and often also the swelling, the affected eye can sometimes no longer be opened. Adhesions of the eyelashes occur due to yellowish discharge from the eye.
In severe cases fever, vomiting and headaches can be accompanying symptoms. The treatment of chronic inflammation of the lacrimal glands is directed against the underlying disease and is carried out with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, for example. As an alternative to the chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland, the following diseases must be considered:
- Tumors in the area of the eyelid
- Paraneoplastic syndrome
- Lid abscess
- Lipodermoids
- Hordeolum
- Periostitis of the bony orbit
- Orbitaphlegmons
- Insect bite
- Allergic reaction
The Heerfordt syndrome (Febris uveoparotidea) is named after the Danish ophthalmologist Christian Frederick Heerfordt (* 1871, † 1953) and represents a chronic inflammation of the parotid gland (parotis) and the lacrimal gland.
The disease can be accompanied by involvement of the ciliary body and iris of the eye (iridocyclitis). Cerebral nerves, the female breast or gonads can also be affected. Heerfordt’s syndrome occurs particularly in connection with sarcoidosis.Typically, the symptoms are composed as follows:
- Fever
- Parotid swelling
- Uveitis anterior
- Facial Paralysis
The chronic form of inflammation of the lacrimal gland is usually caused by another chronic disease.
Therefore, in this case, the underlying disease must also be treated. Which therapy is best suited for this and how long the healing takes depends on the specific disease. However, the doctor can prescribe preparations (for example, creams containing cortisone or eye drops) which alleviate the inflammation of the lacrimal gland and thus improve the symptoms.
