Simply put, blepharitis is nothing but inflammation in your eyelids.

There are two forms of blepharitis – posterior and anterior. Posterior blepharitis affects your inner eyelids, and is caused due to insufficient production of oil in your eyelids. Anterior blepharitis affects your outer eyelids, and it’s mostly caused due to bacterial infection.

Symptoms of Blepharitis

Before we get onto blepharitis home remedies, you need to assess whether or not you really have blepharitis. Here are the most common symptoms listed below, so check and see which ones you have:

• Sticking eyelids
• Flakes or scales around the base of the eyelashes
• Inflammation of eye tissue (especially the cornea)
• Grittiness or a foreign body sensation
• Red eyes
• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Burning sensation
• Crusty debris or dandruff at the base of eyelashes
• Irritated, watery eyes
• Tearing
• Burning or stinging eyes
• Itchy eyelids
• Eye irritation
• Loss of eyelashes (madarosis)
• Hard crusts around the eyelashes

If your condition is severe, then you might be experiencing most of the symptoms mentioned above, otherwise you’ll be experiencing 3-4 symptoms at most. In some cases, blepharitis is associated with other conditions like psoriasis and ocular rosacea.

8 Wonderful Blepharitis Home Remedies

Now that we understand blepharitis symptoms, it’s time to learn home remedies for blepharitis so that we can take care of the situation at home without having to pay for an unnecessarily long medical bill.

1.      Keep Blinking

Simply put, the more you blink, the more oil is produced by your meibomian glands. And the more oil is produced, the more your eye is lubricated. This lubrication in turn prevents them from becoming dry. You can also have a go at blinking exercises. They are not only simple to do but surprisingly effective in combating blepharitis.

2.      Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is Mother Nature's gift to us. Its anti-inflammatory properties are fantastic for keeping not only infection at bay, but also reducing any swelling or redness you may be facing. It is always advised to use fresh aloe vera gel (cut straight from the leaf of the plant) and if that’s not possible, then opt for its organic counterpart from the supermarket.

All you have to do is keep the gel inside the fridge for half an hour or so. After it’s cooled, apply it on your eyelids and let it remain there for 5-10 minutes. Re-cool the gel whenever necessary. Do this at least twice a day

3.      Try Black or Green Tea

Green tea bags are one of the best blepharitis home remediesfor you. More so because you get two uses out of them – you are able to drink tea and then instead of simply throwing away the tea bag, you use it on your eyes. You can use either green or black tea bags for this purpose. Both contain high amounts of antioxidants, tannins, and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities which limit the growth of bacteria on your skin.

4.      Castor Oil

Castor oil is pretty versatile when it comes to helping us – both on the inside as well as on the outside. Apart from helping you with weight loss, the ricinoleic acid present in it helps get rid of irritation, burning sensations and itching.

All you have to do is first wash your eyes thoroughly with warm water. Dab your eyes dry with a towel, and then place a drop or two of castor oil on the tip of your ring finger. Apply that with dabbing motions on your eyelids and lashes. Let it be absorbed by your skin overnight. And always make sure you’re using organic castor oil.

5.      Warm Compresses

Warm compresses help loosen any and every debris collect in and around your eyelids and eyelashes. In fact, they go so far as to dilute the oil secreted by your glands, which in turn not only helps with blepharitis, but also with reducing the chances of developing an enlarged lump. This is hands down one of the simplest blepharitis home remediesthat pretty much anybody can try by themselves. See how to do it:

6.     Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil needs no introduction, does it? All you have to do is add a drop of the oil to 1 tbsp. oil of your choice. Stir it gently, dip your ring finger in the solution and dab the mixture onto your eyelids and lashes in gentle dabbing motions. When you’re at it, cover the surrounding areas like your under eye area. Don’t open your eyes for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the solution to be absorbed completely without seeping into your sockets.

7.      Say No to Lenses and Makeup

Both these items can worsen your situation by making your eyes itchy or dry. Until and unless you’ve got rid of your condition completely, avoid both eye makeup and contact lenses. Wear your glasses instead. In fact, it would be best if you got rid of your old makeup and lenses once you’re cured of your blepharitis because the chances of their being infected with bacteria will be high.

8.      Scrub Your Eyelids

This is one of those blepharitis home remediesthat wouldn’t immediately come to one’s mind, and we don’t blame you for that. However, scrubbing is essential as not only does it get rid of accumulated dirt and infection on your lids, but also encourages the growth of newer cells by getting rid of the old/dead cells. See how to do it:

When to See a Doctor

Of course, needless to say that if you’ve developed one or more of the symptoms above, that you necessarily have blepharitis. It could be one of many eye infections, which is why it’s important that you visit your ophthalmologist. She will tell you exactly what is wrong with your eyes and then will prescribe you medication that will alleviate your pain.