If you ever had dry eyelids, you know how uncomfortable and unsightly they can be. The dry eyelids become so dry that it becomes impossible to hide this scaly skin even with a makeup. Some of the common symptoms of dry eyelids are itchiness, soreness, discoloration and swelling of the eyelid. One need not experience all these symptoms while having dry eyelids. The severity of the symptoms depends on the causative factors.
In order to deal with the dry eyelids, one has to find the cause. Some of the common causes of dry eyelids are eyelid dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and blepharitis. While dermatitis is usually caused by shampoo, cosmetics or other beauty products, blepharitis is caused by bacteria. The chemical contents of the shampoo and cosmetics are the main causative factors of dry eyelids. Some people also experience dry skin around the eyes, by consuming certain food products that they are allergic to.
One can differentiate between blepharitis and simple dry skin, by the fact that blepharitis shows symptoms such as burning sensation of the eye and blurred vision in addition to dry, itchy, scaly eyelids. If one has all the above symptoms, it is very crucial to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Or else, it may cause permanent damage to the eye.
Moisturize dry eyelids
If you experience dry eyelids, your first step of treatment should be usage of moisturizer. As the skin around the eyes is very sensitive, the regular body moisturizers do not work well. There are specific moisturizers available on the market that are meant to use around the eyes. While selecting the moisturizer, one should always go for the one which suits his/her skin type. Applying these moisturizers twice daily helps to hydrate the sensitive skin around the eyes and prevent itching and scaling. Moreover, they help to conceal the wrinkled skin around the eyes. Regular application of moisturizer for 2-3 weeks helps to get rid of dry eyelids.
Finding a moisturizer for dry eyelids
However, it is crucial to find an eyecream which contains no preservatives, as these can cause a worse case of dry eyelids. Probably, the only cream of this nature, is a pure body butter, which contains nothing but one oil, made into a cream. Try avocado butter or pumpkin seed butter, as their Essential Fatty Acid content will nourish your skin, better than most moisturizers, which contain mostly chemicals. You can order body butters online from newdirectionsaromatics.com and while you are there, see if they sell an eyecream without preservatives and chemicals, as some people may find the body butter too rich.
Aloe Vera is also found to be very effective in treating dry eyelids. One can use either natural Aloe Vera gel from the plant or the commercially available gel. Application of this gel reduces the itchiness and helps in healing.
If your dry eyelids are due to blepharitis, and your doctor’s remedies have not helped, seek help from an ‘ alternative doctor’, to cure this infection. Alternative doctors may use some of the following approaches: liver detoxification; essential oil therapy; rare herbal combinations both topically and internally.
Temporary easing: A hot compress works great for dry skin due to blepharitis. It softens the scale and helps in easy removal of the scales.
If you do not find any improvement using moisturizer or aloe vera, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist. Doctors usually prescribe steroid ointment to treat dermatitis. However, prolonged use of steroid ointment may cause side effects such as discoloration of the skin and thinning of the skin.
Prevention is always better than cure and this is true for dry eyelids. As most of the time, the dry skin is caused by allergens, one should completely avoid contact with the allergens. It is also a good idea to apply moisturizer to the eyelids on a regular basis.
One should also make sure that makeup is completely removed before going to bed, as eyeshadow pigment can be made from crushed seafood shell, to name one example, which can grind into your skin, while your eyelid presses on your pillow all night.
Keeping hands off the eye area is the best way to prevent dry eyelids, which are bacterially or fungally caused, and always wash your hands, before applying eye cream.