Why Blepharitis suddenly occurred...?

[nl1234567]

First time posting here. I'd be grateful for any insight:

So I have had blepharitis symptoms on and off for a couple years now. I've started to accept the fact that (based on process of elimination) my symptoms are coming from cigarette smoke. But the thing that worries me is: I had been smoking for years on and off before, and it never caused my eyelids to flare up like they do now. I am worried there's some underlying immune system issue that's causing this.

Does anyone have a hunch as to why, all of a sudden and after never having done so before, my body would start to react this way? Should I be worried about immune system issues? If so, what sorts of diseases could cause this sensitivity all of a sudden?

Suggestions appreciated.

[JohnHaganMD]

People smoke for years and years and do okay then they suddenly develop lung cancer, or emphysema or heart attack.  So if it is triggered by your smoking its a cumulative thing. No one gets lung cancer the first day they smoke.  Blepharitis is a chronic problem. There is a great deal written in these forums about treatment to control, not cure, it. You can access them using the search feature and archives. And think about stopping smoking.