Natural Cures for Blepharitis

Honey

Posted by Chris (London) on 12/06/2014
★★★★★

Tried manuka honey no15 after getting no relief from using wipes recommended by optician...results were instant, itching stopped immediately and skin surrounding eyes felt moisturised....I'm a convert. It is expensive but well worth it.... also tastes good! Smear on eyes with clean finger, might sting a bit...leave for 5-10mins then rinse.....twice a day is working for me.....

Hand Wipes

Posted by Lazereyes (Waymart, Pa) on 09/16/2018
★★★★★

The Wet Ones are working better than anything else Iv'e tried (too many to list). No flakes or debris on eyelashes, inflammation of conjunctiva is now white and calm, and I don't want to rip my eyelashes out after a long day of work. THANK GOD FOR WET ONES!

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Billi (Toronto) on 06/12/2016
★★★★★

Blepharitis - Tea tree oil - Inhale steam

Last winter had a cold + sinusitis which, among others, battled by inhaling steam - few drops of essential oils in pot of boiling water. As I was alternating nose and mouth opening over pot briefly under the towel, happened to move over and cover eye lids as well (with eyes closed). Having eye infection frequently (must be related to contact lenses solution), I noticed this time eye infection got cleared without using any creams or eye drops. Itching stopped almost instantly after first steam - inhale session.

Steam with few drops of tea tree oil also seem easier to apply, compared to poultice or oil mixture.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by One Red Bug Eye (Van, Bc) on 09/10/2015
★★★★★

Blepharitis:

10 min ACV EYE BATH 3x/day for 3 days: Submersion: 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar in one large salad bowl of warm water.

Put side of face in water bowl to keep breathing through corner of mouth, submerse eye, blink open while looking different directions to cover all areas.

Cured red bug eye with pussy node at bottom of eyelash sandy feel at tear duct. Eye was glued shut in AM from crust.

Note: Wore eyepatch to alleviate nocturnal scratching.

Honey

Posted by Rosy (Uk) on 12/21/2013
★★★★★

Yes the honey works brilliantly for blepharitis. We treated my father-in-law with honey drops and they succeeded in keeping it completely pain and irritation free. His belpharitis was connected to his glaucoma and he was told he would always have it. He was given many different types of eye drops from the hospital, non of which worked, so the honey was a blessed relief for him. I would heartily recommend it.

Blepharitis Prevention Remedies

Posted by Max (Bayside, Ny) on 10/26/2009
★★★★★

Blepharitis-prevention. I have not had it in over 5 years. AM-I lie down and put a warm washcloth on eyes. Leave it there for 10 minutes. Shower and put the warm washcloth on my eyes while standing up for 3o seconds. Rub eyes with washcloth 7 x back and forth.Put baby shampoo on eyes and wash for 30 seconds. Rinse. Done. PM-I take a shower and repeat shower instructions. No meds needed greatest prevention.

Borax and Peroxide

Posted by Devon (Johnson) on 03/19/2017

Breakthrough for Blepharitis

Major Pending Breakthrough: H202+Borax misted directly into eyes... Thanks to Earth Clinic I basically cured my 20 year long Rosacea thanks to this remedy. Strongly about 3 years ago I discovered it was re-manifesting even after treatments. This really upset me and I expanded my research and somehow amazingly stumbled upon Zinc Pyrithione by considering DErmitis as another option maybe intermingled with the Demodex Mite based Rosacea that was clear after my initial success.

Anyway recently I felt it time for a Zinc Pyrithione touch-up after some allergy symptoms hitting my eyes and upper cheek (which I have also considered as a possible side-effect to sinus allergy trying to purge through the face) All of a sudden a day later my eyes got worse and for the first time in my life I became convinced I was having severe EYE allergy. I do have three cats and am in the end of our long Vermont winter not cleaning enough with closed windows etc...

Since I have always freely sprayed h2o2+borax onto my face, head and neck with eyes closed; and then opened my eyes after under a minute and endured the sting, dabbed the corners of my eyes, and was fine 1 minutes later: I decided to make absolutely sure I got my eyelids this time and actually opened my eyes briefly during the misting. This time the sting lasted a bit longer but I was fine in 3-5 minutes, no burning at all just a slightly residual sting and watering eyes... This morning NO itchy burning eyes at ALL. Wow, I might be premature here with this excitement but right now I am thinking since the Zinc Pyrithione is so irritating to my eyes -- I never get closer than eye brows under-eye bag area and bridge of nose -- that maybe the mites migrated up tiny my eyes after the last Zinc treatment. My next move is to find the right amount of borax (no h202) to add to my Neti Pot instead of Salt!

Part of this testimonial is with in mind Ted's mention (I'm sure for good reason) of avoiding the yes by wearing Goggles. I say no need to avoid the eyes. If anything my vision is usually better in the morning after a misting -face Borax treatment. The sting spraying heavily with closed eyes after opening them last about a minute maximum -- and about 3-5 if done with eyes open. No other side effects here to report except like I said: Improved Vision...

Borax and Peroxide

Posted by Devon (Us) on 03/20/2017

Update I almost can not believe it.

I did another treatment to make sure last night. Borax H202 Misted directly into eyes...

Major eye irritation of a week completely gone instantly. Reminds me of my first discovery of this Rosacea Cure.

The crazy thing is when you read about Tea Tree Oil taking three weeks?

Borax/H202 seems immediate!

I am going to start taking baths with this combo.

And I'll try and wash my pillow cases more often too.

I guess I had mites in my eyes...

Bye Bye mites.

I'm starting to think the Dry skin side effect is totally worth it.

But of course one can always use their favorite moisturizer..

But here's the irony: Too much Coconut, Jojoba, Squalene, Argon -- you-name-it oil -- TOO close to the eyes creates day long irritation. Borax H202 solution misted straight to the EYES stings for maximum 5 -- but last night less than 3 minutes. I think I killed the mites around my eyes and I am very happy!

Blepharitis Prevention Remedies

Posted by Candice (Phoenix, Arizona) on 04/13/2012

What a frustrating condition! I was a fool when I was younger and used an incredibly strong product to remove my eye makeup and oh, it did the job! As well as beginning the onset of my insanely frustrating issues with blepharitis! For at least 3 years I struggled with this condition and the only thing that I could find to clear it up was a prescribed topical, but it would only last for a short while before coming back full force. I tried everything! It wasn't until I was doing research and saw some info about baby shampoo being gentle and helping out people with this condition. I had already tried everything and was willing to try anything else, so I gave it a go and it was wonderful! I not only washed my eyelids with baby shampoo daily, but I moisturized my eyelids and the skin under my eyes with baby lotion right afterward. Sometimes I use different variations of the lotion, like the night-time baby lotion or I'll mix the creamy baby oil with the baby lotion and use that.. But I always make sure to use a baby lotion product and it's absolutely fabulous! It has been at least 5 years since I've had to deal with blepharitis! I continue to incorporate the baby shampoo (which removes eye makeup like a charm by the way! ) and lotion into my daily regimen. Other than it keeping that horrible condition away (which is enough reason in itself to use the baby products) - I attribute it to my lack wrinkles around my eyes when all of my friends my age have them. I hope this combination helps someone else out there as it has me! :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dianne (Phoenix, Arizona) on 07/27/2017 6 posts
★★★★★

I had gone to my ophthalmologist about 3 weeks ago, with complaints of itchy red eyes. He told me I lived in Phoenix, where the weather was hot and to drink more water. Last night I discovered what was wrong with my eyes (blepharitis), through this EC site. I used ACV mixed with water and a Q Tip, and literally scrubbed my eyelashes with it. It stung a lot, so I think I probably did not use enough water, but I repeated it again this morning, and my eyes feel SO much better. I will continue to do this 3 times a day, until I am healed. Thanks again for providing this wonderful site for those of us who know doctors just "practice" on us, which is why its called "medical practice."

Borax and Peroxide

Posted by Marnie (Madera, Ca) on 02/12/2018

To make a saturated solution of H202: Add borax to the 3% hydrogen peroxide until you see that no more borax will dissolve. If your hydrogen peroxide comes in a dark or opaque bottle, you'll want to mix it with the borax in a clear glass or plastic container (preferably glass). After adding enough borax you'll notice the additional borax will no longer dissolve in the solution, but instead remain un-dissolved at the bottom of the container. At that point you've got a saturated solution. You can pour off the solution and separate from the un-dissolved borax. It's not necessary but will prevent your spray bottle from clogging. Cheers!

Baking Soda

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/20/2023
★★★★★

From Book – Merck's 1899 Manual of the Materia Medica page 94. Sodium Bicarbonate is listed as one of the remedies used to treat Blepharitis by Doctor's at the turn of the 1900's. It is an Old – Folk remedy for the eyes.

Take a 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) and mix with small glass of boiled water that has recently cooled. Dip a cottonwool bud into the solution and scrub the edges of both upper and lower lids. This should be done at least once, at night-time and if possible, in the morning too. Remember treatment can sometimes take 2 or 3 weeks to work, so perservere!!

Hand Wipes

Posted by Cheri (California) on 11/16/2016
★★★★★

I would also like to recommend the post from Ophelia. I am so grateful to have found it, especially because she explains that there may be exacerbations along the way and to just continue treatment anyways. This really helped because exacerbation did occur. I went to Oregon in June and developed this weird red puffy scaly thing on both upper eyelids. I have never had any issues with my eyes before so I figured it was something I was allergic to in that location. Over the following several weeks it got worse. I looked like a drug addict when I woke up, triangular red marks under my eyes, puffiness and inflammation on upper eyelids. Upon optometrists recommendations I tried eyedrops for allergies as well as natural tears. No difference at all after 2 weeks. I tried Manuka honey, no difference. All this time, I washed my face with water and wore no make-up. I went to a dermatologist and she recommended steroid treatment and to wash with baby shampoo. She literally told me I could never even touch my eyes again without an inflammatory reaction developing afterwards. I decided to forgo the steroid and try the wet ones instead. I followed the regimen Ophelia laid out. I saw improvement after a couple days. After a few weeks, it seemed to get worse. I stuck with regimen though and within a couple days it subsided. It took about 4 weeks for blepharitis to subside completely. I still continued using wet ones for another month though just to be sure. I haven't used them now for 2 weeks and haven't had recurrence. My eyes are completely normal. I was so discouraged prior to this treatment. I couldn't imagine dealing with this for the rest of my life, which it was looking as if that would be the case. I'm incredibly grateful for this post because it truly is a cure!

Honey

Posted by Amyk (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/11/2014
★★★★★

Hi Meiday,

Do you have allergies to dust, outdoors, grass, pollen etc.-- meaning airborne allergies? You should see if that is the cause. I have had airborne allergies all my life and then about 3 years ago I developed blepharitis in both eyes, which was due to my allergies. My eyes were burning, peeling, crusty, wrinkly and made my eyes droop. It was horrible! I tried castor oil, that made it worse for me. I kept changing out washcloths and even put frozen foods on them hoping it would help the burning, but it didn't. I also used an eyewash they sell at the drugstore, but that didn't matter either. Somehow I finally stumbled on MSM pills and after 3 days I was better. I bought MSM pills (it's the sulfur content) from CVS (1000mg per capsule), took 2 capsules 3 times a day, and that helped completely-- no more burning eyes! And then for the crusty, flaky, droopy part, I just used Cetaphil face lotion, just something really moisturizing, and really piled it on at night, and that took care of that. After about a month or two, I reduced my dosage to 2 capsules 1 time a day. I still take this dose today everyday on an empty stomach in the morning with some water and it keeps my blepharitis away. If for some reason I don't take it for a few days, my eyes start to feel the burn. Also, I had read that MSM and Vitamin C works well when taken together, but this wasn't so for me. For some reason for me, the Vitamin C canceled out the effects of the MSM, and made my eyes burn again. So I suggest that you take the MSM on an empty stomach with water, and not with orange juice or any kind of Vitamin C. Good luck!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Clayton72 (Dallas, Tx) on 01/11/2012
★★★★★

I recently came down with an eye infection. At first, I assumed it was Pink Eye but my actual eyeball was not red at all. There was swelling from the inner corner of my eye to the middle of the lid and my eyelid was pretty red. By the next day, my eye hurt really bad whenever I blinked. When I realized it was probably Blepharitis, I put coconut oil on it. I did that only trying to keep the scales from forming on the lid. Some of the pics I saw online were disgusting and some of the people had major crust forming around the lashes. I figured that coconut oil would probably keep the skin from collecting.

To my surprise, I found that as long as the coconut oil was on my lid, there was no pain. I never saw any scales form and within 2 days, my eye was not swollen anymore. You have to keep putting the coconut oil on (2-3 times a day), you will notice when it dries because your eye will be itchy and will hurt again. So happy it worked!

Hand Wipes

Posted by Weaspoon (Texas) on 06/07/2022
★★☆☆☆

I eagerly tried the posts about curing Blepharitis with Wet O N E's. After suffering with severe Blepharitis for years and spending many $$ on eye drops that did almost nothing I bought the wipes and almost immediately received relief from severe itching, watering, redness, discharge and dry eyes. Also had itchy eczema on my eyelids. I used the wipes several times a day for a week then only as needed for slight itching for a week. After that I have not had any symptoms at all for about a month or longer. I'll post again if Blepharitis returns.

HOWEVER, I have since learned that the active ingredient in the wipes that kills the Blepharitis, Benzalkonium Chloride, is believed to be damaging to the eyes in 7 different ways. Consumers who are using eye drops, OTC and RX, and or wet o n e's on a daily basis for long periods are often unaware of the ocular surface risks.

The studies are here:

https://www.dryeyeshop.com/pages/the-bak-list-of-shame

I am also on the Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy blog and learned from posts there that BAK is harmful for those with Corneal Dystrophy.

More personal research needs to be done to determine how injurious BAK can be.

Turpentine Baths

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 02/08/2022
★★★★★

I have struggled with Blepharitis for years. Did the doctor's tour and they were no help, just wanted more $$, eye drops that don't work, another test… Tea tree oil helped but no lasting effects. Recently, I have been taking Turpentine “white” baths as promoted by Dr. Zalmanovn around 1904 for cardiovascular problems. Turpentine baths were used by “Russian” grandmothers for the treatment of joints, bronchitis, and many other diseases.

I am 21 days into the bath regiment (of a total of 30 days this round) when at about the 10th day I noticed I was not having eye issues anymore.

The symptoms I was having were; watery-red eyes, itchy eyelids, crusty eyelids upon waking up, sensitivity to light, blurry vision at times.

The only thing I can think of that is helping clear my eyes is when I'm taking the white bath, I am submerging my head down into the water and placing a soaked washcloth from the bath waters across my eyes and forehead. I do this for the entire 20-minute setting.

Since pure gum turpentine is an exceptional broadband anti-pathogen, anti-microbial, anti-parasite, fungicide. It makes sense that it would work. I just never made the connection to use it as a compress over my eyes. I am making my own homemade white baths using (Humco Brand - Pure Gum Resin Turpentine).

Baby Shampoo

Posted by Missm (New York) on 08/14/2020

You are welcome!

Additionally if you have a mild case, you can try this if its demodex.

Tea tree oil dilute one part tea tree five parts fracionated coconut oil (this oil is odorless, and available on Amazon. Its also called MCT oil) in dropper bottle. Tea tree oil kills demodex it's the number one solution unless you cant get rid of them and need ivermection. Tea tree oil is quite strong and you need to dilute. If unfamiliar with it, it has a bit of a gasoline terpentine smell. You either love it or hate it.

Other oils are lavender, but tea tree most effective.

You will take a q tip and put some of the tea tree solution at the base of your eye lashes, after washing face.

At night if your eyes are making you crazy from demodex, get unscented baby wipes and put a splash of 70/30 alcohol in package. Alcohol kills them too. And if you're groggy a quick wipe to the eyes will allow you to sleep.

How can you tell its demodex? If you take a 10x mirror and look at the base of your eyelashes and see those eyelashes coated with white spots those are an indicator. If you wake up with gunk in your eyes, if your eyes bother you especially at night and early morning. If your eyes are itchy.

Demodex are a BIG PAIN. I had no idea they existed except all of a sudden I got monster chalazion eye styes which started my adventure with them. After that the blepharitis, and then the discovery about demodex!!

Manuka Honey

Posted by Gerda (Waukegan Il) on 01/13/2015
★★★★★

I am also dealing already with Blepharitis for 14 month. So far I have seen six different Doctors (nothing helped). After reading your article with Manuka honey, I thought I will give it a try. The Manuka honey +16 came in the mail yesterday.The minute I put it on my eyelids, I too was stunned how fast I saw a change. The swelling is going down. My face starts to look more normal again. I hope the honey will do the trick! Gerda

Honey

Posted by Julie (Nigeria) on 12/23/2022
★★★★★

Honey really works on blepharitis. It stings a little, but it's bearable. I am happy that I tried it.

Hand Wipes

Posted by John M (Kimbal,l Mi) on 07/07/2016
★★★★★

I would like to recommend the post by ophelia (Dana Point CA) on 08/07/2014 using antibacterial hand wipes on eye lids.

My eyes were itching really bad but NOT NOW, I did not cut the towelette into pieces liked she did, I folded the towelette and put it into a sandwich bag to reuse it and replaced it every few days I am also taking n-acetyl-L-cysteine 600 mg one daily I don't use the eye drops or Doctors or the baby shampoo or anything else anymore thanks for sharing this web site.

Honey

Posted by Wendy (United Kingdom) on 03/19/2014
★★★★★

Many thanks for the advice to use Honey - it is brilliant - my eyes are cured. Much love, Wendy

Low Iron Cause

Posted by Deb T (New Jersey) on 06/27/2026
★★★★★

I truly hope this post reaches anyone who suffers from this eye condition. I had it for several months both anterior and posterior. I was miserable. I tried so many remedies but nothing worked. I was on a blrpharitis support group and just kept scrolling n scrolling until I saw a post that said; I had blood work and I was anemic. I took iron and my blepharitis cleared up in 4 days. I ran out and bought 25mg of iron bisglycinate praying it would work. It did!!! In a few days; my eyes were 50% better. I ran to my GP for blood work and asked for an IRON PANEL (very very important!!! ). My previous blood work said my iron was fine but what I found out is that routine blood work just tells u if ur Anemic not ur levels. I got a hard time from my DR but pushed and pushed u til she agreed. My iron was 27. Average should be above 50 and even better 80-100.

Even though my iron was low she cautioned me about dangers of taking too much iron and was not interested in the success I was having w my blepharitis n told me it was just a coincidence. BS!!! It worked! I took iron for several weeks, added higher iron foods to my diet and worked on healing my gut to be sure I was absorbing my nutrients. I think that was part of the issue (leaky gut plus severe stress)

Anyway, I'm wishing u all the best in ur healing journey and hope this helps someone out there. I have been blepharitis free for 6 years btw..

Steam Room

Posted by Jg (Pa) on 11/18/2018
★★★★★

I've suffered with this miserable condition for over 9 months that seemed to get worse and worse. My lids were inflamed and it was to the point where I had a hard time opening my eyes in the morning they were so dry. So, I had read about these steam googles they sell for a million bucks (exaggeration, but they are expensive) and decided, "What the heck, I'll try the YMCA steam room).

I went in for about 10-15 minutes. I hydrated well beforehand, and it initially felt weird, then burning. I carried on. I left, hopped in the warm showers, and just rinsed my face and eyelids with warm water and rubbed over it a bit with my fingers - no shampoo, not excessive rubbing, and just water. My eyelids looked *terrible.* I thought I had made a huge mistake.

I took 2 aleve when I got home and probably for two days...but noticed that once the swelling and redness went down, (maybe two days) my eyes were producing their own tears again. They looked terrible for a while...but whatever that gunk that clogged my glands were, seemed to be melted. I still use cliradex wipes once a day...but this was the thing that seemed to make the most difference.

I've tried those beaded eye masks, and a million things. I was so desperate. This really helped me so I thought I would share.

I only did it once. I now don't use drops at all, and put some organic olive oil on my lashes at night, but that's it.

Epsom Salt, Baby Shampoo Treatment

Posted by Ali (Tasmania, Australia) on 09/24/2016
★★★★★

Hooray, finally a solution for this maddening eye condition. After working thru some of the other posts, most made it worse,

I tried this method with success. Here's what I did...

I used 2 drops of organic baby shampoo, 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water, or microwave it.

To apply dip 2 cotton round makeup pads into the heated solution, squeeze excess liquid & place on closed eyes. I then placed a heated, in microwave, damp face washer folded over & then a small heated wheat bag to hold it in place, lie flat for 10 mins AM+ PM. The wheat bag held it's heat for 10 mins easily.

By Day 2 I was feeling less desperate & I have continued for a week and I now have almost normal looking eyes, apart from my pesky glaucoma!!! If you don't have a wheat bag, buy an old pair of corduroy trousers from an op shop & cut the legs into pieces, sew & fill with wheat, which can be bought loose very cheaply...hand sew end to finish. Also it doesn't work as well without the baby shampoo, go for a soap & sulphate free brand. Best of luck...ðŸŽ†

Manuka Honey

Posted by Catherine Weiss (Umina Beach) on 03/13/2014
★★★★★

I just read an Article on Google about a man who had this condition for 8 years. Well, I've had mine for 1 and its so painful and irritating hurts, well this man cured it in himself with... guess what it is? Honey. So I'm all for natural treatments and in Australia I'm learning about the aboriginal cures they work so I'm looking into plants also natural but mananuka honey has in fact got an antibacterial ingredient in it. Any honey, but pure is better the "mananuka" tree or flower in Australia, has the quality, if it worked for him it will work for me, I'll get back to you guys on what works, ok? But the honey twice a day I'm trying, he said that he cured it, 100% and he looks happy. Thank you.