Holistic Remedies for Chalazions

Chalazions form inside your eyelids when one or more oil glands become clogged, usually from makeup residue. While they can sometimes be painless, chalazions can cause your eyelid to become swollen, itchy and ache. The eyelid contains 20 to 30 oil glands, which means it is possible to have more than one chalazion at a time. There are home remedies that can help, but it is highly recommended that you first consult a doctor before starting any kind of treatment.

Dr. Monica L. Monica, an ophthalmologist in New Orleans, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a consultant for mothernature.com suggests that at the first sign of a chalazion, place a warm, damp washcloth over your closed eyes for at least five minutes, four times a day, for two weeks. The washcloth causes the chalazion to become absorbed and eventually drain on its own. Dr. Monica Dweck, an ophthalmologist in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and also a consultant for mothernature.com says that to keep the washcloth warm, wrap it around either a hot baked potato or a boiled egg. The American Optometric Association website also suggests dipping the washcloth in warm water several times to retain the moisture and heat required. The warm compress helps to soften the hardened oil that is blocking the ducts and preventing them from draining and healing properly.

Natural-home-remedies.info notes that an herbal remedy for a chalazion is to make a compress out of guava leaves. Warm the leaves and place them in a warm, damp cloth and place it on the eyes. The leaves will help to reduce the swelling, redness and pain, the website says.

Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water. Drain the leaves and then dip a cloth in the leftover water and use as a compress on the eyelids. This will reduce the swelling and pain and help in the removal of the chalazion, says natural-home-remedies.info.

Wisegeek.com and the American Optometric Association website states that gentle massage can help to speed up the drainage of a chalazion.

Mothernature.com notes that if the chalazion does not get better or seems to get worse in two days, if it grows quickly despite the use of the compresses, or if it bleeds, you should see a doctor, as you may have a cyst or other eye problem that should be taken care of medically. It is also highly suggested that makeup, such as mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow should be avoided while the eye heals.