Severe inflammation of your sensitive eyes' lid margins is referred to as blepharitis. This condition causes your eyelid margins to swell and turn red.
It is the most common ocular infection in the world to go undiagnosed and untreated. Don't worry if you're wondering how to treat blepharitis at home. All you need to treat the symptoms of blepharitis is one of our natural remedies.
What are the Symptoms of Blepharitis?
Blepharitis usually occurs due to clogging of oil pores present on the eyelids. It can also be secondary to any other skin problem such as acne rosacea. Poor hygiene is a major driving factor especially if you have oily skin.
The symptoms of Blepharitis include:
- Sties
- Swelling of eyelids
- Watery eyes
- Redness of eyes
- Blurry vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- A burning sensation in eyes
- Dryness in eyes
- Sticky eyelids
- Presence of flaky skin around the eyelids
- Crusts present on the eyelids
It is important to deal with blepharitis as soon as it is detected. This is because untreated blepharitis may cause dry eyes, chalazion, and conjunctivitis. Luckily, the infection does not require medical treatment and can be corrected with a few steps.
Continue reading below to know about the best home remedies for blepharitis.
1. Warm Compress
One of the best home remedies for blepharitis include soothing the inflamed eyelids. It also involves removal of the crust that has accumulated on the eyelashes.
A warm compress will not only soften the crust but will also improve the blood flow towards eyes. This will, in turn, help in healing.
To use a warm compress, take a clean washcloth and dip it in warm water. Wring it out and put it on the affected eye for 15 minutes. Repeat this process for three times a day.
Using a warm compress every day will improve the drainage and decrease the inflammation. If it is not helping, try using a cotton pad dipped in shampoo water to moisten the flakes first.
Repeat this process every day until the flakes stop appearing.
2. Prepare Some Black Tea
Black teabag is a great home remedy for blepharitis it has anti-inflammatory effects. It also possesses strong anti-bacterial properties.
Black tea is rich in tannins and phenolic compounds to stop bacterial growth. So, it is a great answer to how to cure blepharitis fast.
To use this remedy, place a black tea bag in a pan of boiling water. Wait for it to steep and gradually cool down. Squeeze the bag to let the extra water go and place it on the affected eyelid.
Let the tea bag over the eyelid for at least 10 minutes and discard it.
3. Try Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is rich in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It cannot only benefit your skin but can kill the bacteria as well.
Tea tree oil is an exceptional agent for removing dandruff and flaky skin. A study showed that using it on eyes for a month can reduce blepharitis bacteria in the patients.
While tea tree is a great way to get rid of blepharitis naturally, remember that it can be irritating to some. So, before you apply it on your eyelids, it is important to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.
Add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil in half a teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply the mixture on a clean cotton pad and place it on the affected eye.
4. Avoid Contact Lenses and Makeup
Wearing contact lenses and makeup is bad for eyelid hygiene. It also makes it difficult for your eyelids to heal fast.
Stop wearing eye makeup or lenses until the infection goes away. Keep your eyes as clean as possible and rely on eyeglasses for a while.
It might be a good idea to buy a new pair of contact lenses once the infection heals. This is because the old ones might contain bacterial contamination.
5. Get Rid of Dandruff
The presence of dandruff on your scalp usually causes flaking and redness. This can spread to your eyebrows causing greasy scaling. Dandruff can actually be the cause of blepharitis.
Hence, getting rid of dandruff is among the important home remedies for blepharitis. Treating dandruff is not difficult. A lot of natural remedies like coconut oil and probiotics can do the job well. Try apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy to remove dandruff from hair.
6. Consume Anti-inflammatory Foods
Consuming a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can improve eye infections. It is also the best way for how to cure blepharitis fast. How can anti-inflammatory foods treat this eye infection?
Anti-inflammatory foods can lead to a reduction in the symptoms of inflammation. These foods can not only treat blepharitis but can also heal other problems like rosacea.
Some of the best foods to consume for blepharitis include:
- Omega-3 foods: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts. These items can not only reduce the inflammation but can also enhance the immune system. Hence, your body acts better to the bacterial strains and keep them away.
- Organic fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in anti-inflammatory compounds. They can also give your immune system a much-needed boost. Moreover, consuming them will help in rebuilding healthy skin cells. As a bonus, your body will be receiving a lot of vitamins like A, E, and C to improve eye health.
- Healthy fats: Foods such as avocado and olive oil contain healthy fats. This is why these items can help to decrease systemic inflammation and heal the health of your skin.
If you are not consuming omega-3 fatty acids through food, use supplements. Fish oil has a lot of benefits such as skin nourishment and reduction in inflammation.
Research says that these agents can increase the fatty acid content in meibum. This helps to improve the symptoms of dry eyes, a primary cause of blepharitis.
7. Blink More
It might sound funny but blinking more is among the best home remedies for blepharitis.
The rate at which you blink tends to reduce with age. It also decreases when you are engaged in any near-vision tasks such as using your cell phone.
Blinking is important as it allows the meibomian gland to produce oil. This reduces the risk of blockage or any other abnormality that can lead to blepharitis.
If you are suffering from blepharitis, consider blinking at least 20 times. Follow it four times every day to increase the secreting power of meibomian glands.
8. Castor Oil
Castor oil is among the best home remedies for blepharitis. It can provide a speedy relief from all the redness, irritation, and inflammation fast.
Castor oil can moisturize your eyelids and regulate the abnormal meibomian glands. It can also fight all the bacteria and fungi that cause the infection in your eyelids.
Dip a cotton ball in some castor oil and apply it on your eyelid. You may also cover the surrounding area with a light layer of this oil. If you have blepharitis on both eyes, use a fresh cotton ball for the other eye.
Repeat this remedy once every night and leave the oil on for the rest of the night. You will get relief from the inflammation and pain in up to 2 days.
For best results, try to get 100% pure castor oil with no hexane and other ingredients.
9. Use Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not only good for your skin but is a fantastic blepharitis home remedy. It is an anti-inflammatory agent and can also moisturize the skin to keep dryness away.
Aloe vera can also keep your eyes free from debris and crusts. Using it will improve the moisture level and treat blepharitis within days.
To use Aloe Vera, cut a fresh leaf and take out its gel. Carefully apply the gel onto your eyelids. Let it stay for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
Repeat this remedy once or twice every day for best results.
10. Rely on Neem
Neem is known to have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is a great way to cure seborrheic dermatitis as well and makes a fantastic blepharitis home remedy.
Using neem will get rid of most of the symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching. It will also kill the main bacterium causing the infection.
To use it, boil some neem leaves in 3 cups of water. Strain the water, allow it to cool and use it for rinsing your hair. You can also use a cotton ball to dab some of it on your eyes.
11. Go for Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil is one of the top home remedies for blepharitis. It is loaded with nutritious properties and has an anti-inflammatory action as well.
Coconut oil works great for skin disorders such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea. It is an equally effective remedy for treating the symptoms of blepharitis.
To use coconut oil, warm it up a little. Now, use a cotton ball to apply it to your eyelids. Let it stay for about 15 minutes before rinsing the eyes. Repeat this remedy every day for best results.
