Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Eyelid Scrubs WorkDIY Eyelid ScrubsOTC Eyelid scrubsOther At-Home TreatmentsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Eyelid Scrubs Work
DIY Eyelid Scrubs
OTC Eyelid scrubs
Other At-Home Treatments
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you haveblepharitis, your healthcare provider may recommend using an eyelid scrub. This can help relieveblepharitis symptomslike dry, itchy eyelids quickly. You can purchase eyelid scrubs over-the-counter or you can make your own with a few simple items.
This article discusses eyelid scrubs for blepharitis, how to make one at home, as well as other treatments that relieve symptoms of eyelid inflammation.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
How Eyelid Scrubs Relieve Blepharitis
Eyelid scrubs are a process for removing material from the eyelids in order to treat blepharitis. Since they’re inexpensive and easy to perform at home, eyelid scrubs are a great way to keep your eyelashes clean and alleviate symptoms like itching and inflammation.
Blepharitis can develop when there are excessive bacteria on the eyelids and at the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis can also develop if the oil glands in the eyelids become clogged and lead to irritation or inflammation.
Types of Blepharitis
There are two main types of blepharitis. You may have one type or a combination of both:
Blepharitis is often associated with other conditions, including dandruff,rosacea, oily skin, and allergies that affect the eyes.
Blepharitis gets better with treatment, but it usually does not completely go away. It is commonly a recurrent problem that can be managed with regular daily eyelid hygiene.
Ttsz / Getty Images and BioDigital
Although there are many different over-the-counter eyelid scrubs available for purchase, it’s easy to make your own eyelid scrub at home for a fraction of the cost.
What you Need
It is best to use medical-grade Q-tips because they are sterile and more tightly wound, so you won’t get pieces of the Q-tip cotton in your eye.
What to Do
Useful Tips
1:24Click Play to Learn How to Make Homemade Eyelid Scrub
1:24
Click Play to Learn How to Make Homemade Eyelid Scrub
Over-the-Counter Eyelid Scrubs
Over-the-counter eyelid scrubs contain ingredients that treat the root causes of blepharitis. They may come in the form of eyelid cleansers and eyelid wipes.
The right medicated wipes or eye solution will depend on the underlying cause, so ask your healthcare provider about which one to use. You can find over-the-counter eyelid scrubs in pharmacies or order from many online retailers.
Tea Tree Oil for BlepharitisSome studies suggest thattea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, can help with blepharitis.Because undiluted tea tree oil can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes, it should be used with caution—especially with home remedies.That said, researchers have identified the active ingredient in tea tree oil responsible for easing blepharitis. This ingredient (4-Terpineol) is now available through a line of eyelid cleansers known asCliradex.
Tea Tree Oil for Blepharitis
Some studies suggest thattea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, can help with blepharitis.Because undiluted tea tree oil can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes, it should be used with caution—especially with home remedies.That said, researchers have identified the active ingredient in tea tree oil responsible for easing blepharitis. This ingredient (4-Terpineol) is now available through a line of eyelid cleansers known asCliradex.
Some studies suggest thattea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, can help with blepharitis.Because undiluted tea tree oil can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes, it should be used with caution—especially with home remedies.
That said, researchers have identified the active ingredient in tea tree oil responsible for easing blepharitis. This ingredient (4-Terpineol) is now available through a line of eyelid cleansers known asCliradex.
People with blepharitis need to practice good eyelid hygiene.
In addition to using an eyelid scrub, a regular daily routine may also include:
How Blepharitis Is Treated
If your blepharitis doesn’t get better or keeps coming back, you may need to talk to your healthcare professional about other treatments. A healthcare professional may recommend:
Summary
Complete elimination of blepharitis may not be possible, but adhering to a regular eyelid hygiene routine should reduce symptoms, severity, and flare-ups. Regular use of warm compresses and gentle eyelid massages may further relieve blepharitis symptoms.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health.Blepharitis.
National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.
American Optometric Association.Blepharitis.
Maher TN.The use of tea tree oil in treating blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.Oman J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(1):11-15. doi:10.4103/ojo.OJO_205_2016
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Tea tree oil for mites.
Putnam CM.Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: An optometrist’s perspective.Clin Optom (Auckl). 2016;8:71-78.
Soparker CNS, Patrinely JR. Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (BEBRF).Blepharitis.
American Academy of Ophthalmology: EyeNet Magazine.Managing blepharitis: Tried-and-true and new approaches.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
