Are you suffering from inflamed eyelids, also known as blepharitis? It's a commonly occurring eyelid inflammation, usually associated with an existing bacterial eye infection, some types of skin conditions, such as acne, or dry eye symptoms.
Common symptoms include itching, burning, redness, a gritty sensation in the eye, tearing and crusting around the eye. It can be difficult to deal with, as it's usually chronic.
You'll be glad to hear that there are numerous options available to take control of blepharitis and make sure your eyes stay clean and healthy. Try applying a warm washcloth to your outer eyelids to help loosen the crust on your eyelids and eyelashes prior to cleaning them. The warmth from the washcloth will also get rid of any remaining residue in the oil-secreting glands in your eyelids. In the first stage of treatment, you'll need to use the compress several times a day for about 5 minutes. When things clear up a bit, you can use the compress one time per day, just for a few minutes.
Properly cleaning your eyelids is essential to blepharitis treatment, so it's best to use a proper eyelid scrub or whatever product your optometrist recommends. Be sure to carefully massage your outer eyelids and all residue should be rinsed off after the cleansing process.
Although it may be uncomfortable, blepharitis isn't actually contagious at all and in the vast majority of cases, does not cause any enduring harm to your eyesight, so have a talk with your O. D. about how to maintain eyelid hygiene.