Do you have inflamed eyelids, otherwise known as blepharitis? Blepharitis is a common eyelid inflammation, sometimes linked to a bacterial eye infection, specific types of skin conditions, like acne, or dry eye symptoms.
Often, symptoms include itching, burning, redness, the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, tearing and some crustiness in or around the eye. The condition can actually be tricky to deal with, as it's usually chronic.
It's helpful to know, however, that there are a number of things you can do to take control of blepharitis and guarantee that your eyes stay clean and healthy. A good first step is to place a warm washcloth to your outer eyelids to help loosen the crust on your eyelids and eyelashes before you go ahead and clean your eyes. The heat from the washcloth will also dislodge any remaining residue in the oil-secreting glands in your eyelids. When you begin treatment, you will probably need to do this several times every day for roughly 5 minutes every time. Afterwards, you may only need to use the compress one time per day, just for a few minutes.
Thorough eyelid washing is essential to treating blepharitis, so it's best to find a proper lid cleanser or whatever product your optometrist recommends. Be sure to gently massage your outer eyelids and wash any residue away when you're done.
Even though it's unpleasant, blepharitis is not transmittable and typically, doesn't cause any long-term harm to your vision, so have a chat with your eye care professional about eyelid hygiene, to maintain clean and healthy eyelids.
