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Caring for your eyelids

Produced by Bupa’s Health Information Team, January 2009.

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How should I clean and care for my eyelids if I have an infection in them?

This video is for adults with eyelid infection.

Video transcript

There are several different conditions that can affect your eyelid, causing them to become sticky and crusty. These range from the common stye to chalazion or blepharitis, that’s otherwise known as inflammation of the eyelid. If you have a condition affecting your eyelid, your doctor or nurse will give you advice on how to keep your eyelid clean, and this may include a hot compress followed by an eyelid massage.

Cleaning your eyelids

Before your clean your eyelids, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. Dilute a small amount of baby shampoo in water. Then use a cotton bud or your fingertip to apply the liquid gently along the edge of your eyelid. Rinse the liquid from your eyelids, using a face cloth. Do make sure you use new cotton buds or lid wipes for each eye, otherwise you could spread infection between the eyes.

Hot compress and massage

To make a hot compress, soak a towel in hot water. It should feel comfortable on your skin, not scalding hot. Hold it against your eyelid for five to 10 minutes. This will warm any blockages with oily fluid trapped inside. Now massage your eyelid by gently rolling your finger in a circular motion around the affected area for about one minute. This will help to remove any blockages and release trapped fluids.

You should clean your eyelids and use a hot compress twice a day until your symptoms have gone. After that, do the same thing once a day to stop your symptoms from coming back.

This video is intended for general information only. It shows an example of one person's experience. Your circumstances may be different so not everything may apply to you. It does not replace the need for personal advice from a medical practitioner.

Further information

This information was published by Bupa's Health Information Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. The content is intended only for general information and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. For more details on how we produce our content and its sources, visit the About our Health Information page.

Publication date: January 2009

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