Keep a Lid on Eye Hygiene

Inflamed eyelids, also known as blepharitis, is something that a lot of people experience at some point during their lives. It's a common eyelid inflammation, sometimes linked to a bacterial eye infection, certain types of skin conditions, such as acne, or dry eye symptoms.

Usually, symptoms include redness, itching, burning, a gritty sensation in your eye, tearing and some crustiness in or around the eye. Blepharitis can actually be problematic to manage, as it's usually chronic.

The good news is that there are several steps you can take to treat blepharitis and ensure good eyelid hygiene Firstly, apply a warm towel to the outside of your eye to help the crust begin to loosen prior to cleaning them. The heat from the compress will also get rid of any blocked residue in your eyelids' oil secreting glands. At the start of your treatment, you may find you need to use the compress several times a day for roughly 5 minutes each time. After that, you may only need to apply the compress for about five minutes each day.

This cleaning process is a necessary part of treating blepharitis, so it's best to find a proper eyelid cleanser or whatever product your optometrist recommends. You want to gently massage the outside of your eyelids and all residue should be rinsed off after the cleansing process.

Even though it's unpleasant, blepharitis is not contagious and largely, doesn't cause any enduring damage to your vision, so schedule an appointment with your eye care professional about the best way to keep your lids clean and healthy.