Treatment

Treating Blepharitis: Self-Care

Choose a preferred language

To treat the problem, keep your eyelids clean. Warm compresses can reduce redness and swelling and help in cleaning your eyelids, too. You may also need to wash the area gently with an eyelid scrub when you wake up.


To apply a warm compress:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water.

  2. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water. Then wring it out.

  3. Close your eyes and place the warm washcloth over your eyelids for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps loosen scales or crusts.

  4. Wet the washcloth again as often as needed to keep it warm.

Repeat 2 or more times a day. Use a clean washcloth each time.

Adult holding warm compress on eye.


To use an eyelid scrub:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water.

  2. Use a ready-made eyelid scrub. Or mix 3 drops of baby shampoo in 1/4 cup of warm water.

  3. Dip a lint-free pad, cotton swab, or clean washcloth in the scrub.

  4. Close one eye and gently scrub the base of the eyelid.

  5. Rinse the lid in cool water and dry with a clean towel.

  6. Repeat on your other eye using a clean washcloth or scrub.

Online Medical Reviewer: Chris Haupert MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN

Date Last Reviewed: 03/01/2024

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
user headset icon

Need Help? We're Here for You

Our Member and Recipient Services Team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.

800-510-9132
quit smoking icon

Call NC Quitline

Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:

800-784-8669
car and bus icon

Schedule Transportation

Need transportation to a doctor's office, pharmacy, or other covered healthcare service? Contact us to arrange your ride.

800-510-9132
Stethoscope icon

Provider Directory

Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist? 

Provider Directory
Related Articles
Read article
Eye Care
Laser Photocoagulation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Laser photocoagulation is a type of laser surgery used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a condition that can lead to vision loss.

Read article
Eye Care
Understanding Laser Photocoagulation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Laser photocoagulation uses a laser to seal off abnormal blood vessels in your eye. Laser photocoagulation can't restore eyesight that you already have lost. But it may slow down the damage to your central vision.

Read article
Eye Care
Treatment for Color Blindness

Color blindness is when you can't see some colors in a normal way. Read on for details about treatment and helpful tips on living with this condition.

Read article
Eye Care
Particle in the Eye

A conjunctival foreign body is a very small object, such as an eyelash or dirt, that has become trapped under the eyelid. This can be very irritating to the eye, no matter how small the object is.