Are you suffering from inflamed eyelids, also referred to as blepharitis? It's a common eyelid inflammation, usually associated with an already existing bacterial eye infection, specific sorts of skin conditions, like acne, or dry eyes.
Generally, symptoms include redness, itching, burning, the feeling of a gritty or foreign body in the eye, tearing and crusting around the eye. It can often be tricky to manage, as it's usually chronic.
You'll be glad to hear that there are a number of ways to take control of blepharitis and ensure good eyelid hygiene A good first step is to place a warm compress to your outer eyelids to help the crust begin to loosen before you begin the cleaning process. The warmth from the compress will also help get rid of any blocked residue in the oil-secreting glands in your eyelids. In the first stage of treatment, you'll need to repeat this several times a day for approximately five minutes. After that, you may only need to apply the compress once daily for a few minutes.
Washing your eyelids well is a necessary part of blepharitis treatment, so it's best to use a commercial 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 uncomfortable, blepharitis isn't contagious and typically, does not cause any permanent damage to your eyesight, so have a chat with your O. D. about eyelid hygiene, to keep your lids clean and healthy.