Home Remedies for Blepharitis

The oil glands in the hair follicles of our eyelashes get clogged or irritated when there is some sort of infection which triggers inflammation. This condition is known as Blepharitis, or in common language, eyelid inflammation. Blepharitis is of two types- anterior and posterior. When it occurs outside the eyes it is called anterior, and when the inner corners of the eye get infected it is called posterior. Dandruff on the scalp or on the eyebrows, lice or eyelash mites, allergies caused by any eye makeup, side effects caused by any medicine, certain bacterial infections or the malfunctioning of the oil glands are some of the reasons which cause blepharitis.

This infection can affect your vision and also causes a lot of discomfort. It can also cause loss of eyelashes. If you don’t treat blepharitis on time then it can result in a very serious eye infection. If the symptoms are minor, you can try out these home remedies which might help cure it.

Warm Compresses

Warm compresses help the scales and debris around your eyes to loosen up. It also reduces the risk of a bloated lump by diluting the secretions of the oil glands. Also the blood circulation around your eye is improved by the heat which is necessary for the healing process.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil being anti-inflammatory reduces the inflammation and the itching caused by blepharitis. A study showed that tea tree oil is able to completely cure blepharitis caused by demodex mites as this essential oil is very helpful for eradicating ocular demodex.

Castor Oil

Another great home remedy is castor oil. It has ricinoleic acid which is an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps reduce burning, itching, pain and irritation caused by blepharitis. But you should only use organic, hexane free, pure castor oil.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

When the infection is caused by ocular rosacea, omega-3 fatty acids can be of great use. The meibomian glands function properly because of these fatty acids. These glands are responsible for the proper lubrication of the eye, thus proper functioning glands provide eyelid comfort.

Coconut Oil

A simple and easy way to reduce your discomfort is coconut oil. It has anti-inflammatory properties and many other nutrients that restore the eye health by reducing the pain, itching and the inflammation. You can also try olive oil, in case coconut oil is unavailable.

Aloe Vera

Blepharitis causes the production of crust and flakes, so it is absolutely essential to keep the eyelids moisturised. Aloe vera has incredible moisturising property, thus it is very helpful. It also fights the infection and reduces the redness and the swelling. But make sure that you use only fresh aloe vera gel and not any other lotions that contain the gel.

Maintaining proper eye health is of utmost importance. You should regularly clean and scrub your eyes. Also you should take measures to keep a check on dandruff and mites as they are the primary cause of the infection. If the condition gets worse you need to consult with a doctor.