Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid, and eyelid dermatitis, which is similar to the dry skin condition atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis, are common causes of chronically dry eyelids. Other causes include allergies and sensitivities that result in itchiness, swelling and sometimes a grainy feeling in the eyes in addition to dry eyelids. Once you have a doctor's diagnosis to determine the cause of dry eyelids, there are several remedies you can try at home to get relief.
Warm Compress
Two or three times a day, dampen a soft washcloth with warm water and apply to closed eyelids for 5 to 10 minutes. This will soothe your eyes and loosen the crusty or flaky skin on your eyelids sometimes referred to as "eyelash dandruff." When your eyelids start to feel better, you can reduce this treatment to once a day.
Gentle Scrub
After using a warm compress on your eyelids, the National Eye Institute recommends dipping a washcloth or cotton swab into baby shampoo diluted with water, and gently wiping the eyelid to clean the area and remove crusty flakes. Since blepharitis is a chronic condition, this remedy should become part of your daily cleaning routine.
Eye Drops
Many types of lubricating eye drops are available without prescription. Dry eyelids may be a symptom of a dry eye condition that requires regular use of over-the-counter eye drops described as "artificial tears." According to the Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois, artificial tears will help keep your eyes and inner eyelid moistened, but they must be applied often throughout the day to be effective.
Eye Gel
A small study published in the March 2003 issue of the "British Journal of Opthalmology" involving patients with dry eyelids due to atopic dermatitis, found that applying ceramide gel applied to the eyelids increased water retention in the skin and provided a barrier against dryness. These gels provide some people with another option when petroleum jelly or other barrier creams or ointments are unacceptable. Your doctor can tell you if a gel will work for you and which type to use. Ceramide gel is available with a prescription and is also sold over-the-counter.
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