Have you ever experienced inflamed eyelids, which is also referred to as blepharitis? Blepharitis is a common eyelid inflammation, often associated with a bacterial eye infection, certain sorts of skin conditions, or dry eyes.
Generally, symptoms include itching, burning, redness, the feeling of a gritty or foreign body in the eye, tearing and some crustiness in or around the eye. Blepharitis can often be challenging to treat, because it's chronic.
It's helpful to know, however, that there are several steps you can take to treat blepharitis and make sure your eyes stay clean and healthy. A good first step is to place a warm washcloth to your closed eyelid to help the crust begin to loosen before you clean them. The heat from the washcloth will also help remove any blocked residue in your eyelids' oil secreting glands. In the first stage of treatment, you might need to use the compress several times every day for approximately 5 minutes every time. Later on, you may only need to apply the compress one time per day, just for a few minutes.
This cleaning process is a necessary part of blepharitis treatment, so it's best to find a proper eyelid scrub or whatever product your optometrist recommends. Try to lightly massage your outer eyelids and all residue should be rinsed off after the cleansing process.
Although it may be uncomfortable, blepharitis is not contagious and generally, doesn't lead to any permanent harm to your vision, so call your O. D. about how to maintain eyelid hygiene.