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The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women: Eyelid Problems

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Eyelid Problems

Eyelid Problems

Anti-itch Strategies That Work

he thin skin of your eyelids is all that protects your eyes from the wind, grit and goldenrod of the world. As such, eyelids are prime targets for irritation or infection, says Monica Dweck, M.D., an ophthalmologist in Allentown, Pennsylvania, who specializes in eyelid problems. Sometimes, adds Dr. Dweck, leaving eye makeup on overnight leaves your eyelids irritated instead of beautified.

The most common eyelids problems, say ophthalmologists, include:

* Itching (caused by allergic or nonallergic reactions to makeup, nail polish--when you rub your eyes--or pets, or from hay fever)

* Eyelid dermatitis (dry, scaly lids usually caused by nonallergic reactions to makeup, makeup remover, nail polish, perfume, skin lotion or skin cream)

* Blepharitis (an inflammation of the oil glands marked by scaly, crusty lids). This resembles greasy dandruff in the eyelids, says Charlotte Saxby, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, in Seattle.

Each eyelid has between 20 and 30 oil glands. Makeup that is left on overnight or not completely removed can seep into the glands and clog them up, says Dr. Dweck. Stress and estrogen fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy also can cause blepharitis.

* Conjunctivitis (bacterial infection of the inner lid called the conjunctiva) Commonly known as pinkeye, it's a highly contagious infection. This requires medical attention, because it can easily lead to long-term problems that need to be monitored. (For practical ways to manage pinkeye, see page 428.)

* Sties (inflammation of the eyelash follicles, similar to a pimple. See page 515 for more on sties.)

EASING THE IRRITATION, RIGHT NOW

Whether your eyelids are simply dry and irritated, allergic or inflamed, soothing the irritation is the first order of business. Here's what to do.

Find something else to do with your hands. Try to resist rubbing your eyes or scratching an itch, says Dr. Dweck. If you claw at your eyelids, you'll only irritate them further. You may even scratch your cornea, which can lead to scarring or vision loss.

Make a cold compress. Wet a four-inch by four-inch gauze pad or a clean washcloth with cold water and apply to your eyes, says Monica L. Monica, M.D., Ph.D., an ophthalmologist in New Orleans and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Compresses work best if they conform to the shape of your eye. "Use compresses as frequently as possible for as long as possible," says Dr. Monica. Ballpark: A minimum of 2 minutes, a maximum of 20.

When To See A Doctor

Stubborn itching, scaling and other eyelid discomfort may call for medical attention. You should see your doctor if:

* After using artificial tears or tear ointment for two days, your eyelids still hurt.

* You have a bump on your eyelid that is painful, changes shape or color, doesn't go away or keeps coming back.

Apply cold, wet tea bags. "The tannic acid in tea bags (another form of cold compress) will soothe and cool down the itch," says Wilma Bergfeld, M.D., head of clinical research in the Department of Dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Wrap the tea bags with paper towels to avoid any staining of the eyelid.

Drop in artificial tears. The surface of the eye is covered with a thin film of watery fluid created by tears. Tears lubricate the eye so that the lid can move over it smoothly and wash away foreign bodies. When you don't produce enough tears, your eyelids can't blink away irritants.

Artificial tears, such as Moisture Drops, Hypotears or Tears Naturale--available over the counter--moisten and soothe the eye and make it possible for the eyelid to move smoothly over it, says Dr. Dweck.

Use artificial tears whenever your eyes feel irritated or dry--once a day or as often as every 20 minutes, says Dr. Dweck.

If you wear contact lenses, use preservative-free tears, says Anne Sumers, M.D., an ophthalmologist in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Otherwise, the preservatives can make your eyes itch. If your doctor has prescribed rewetting drops, those can work just as well, says Dr. Sumers.

Use a tear ointment at bedtime. If your eyes still feel irritated, an over-the-counter tear ointment, such as Lacrilube, will help ease the scratchiness while you sleep, says Dr. Dweck. The ointments differ from artificial tears, because they last longer, lubricating your eyes. But they blur your vision and should only be used overnight.

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