The eyelid cyst is medically known as a chalazion. This is a small lump which is appearing under the skin of your eyelid, and in most cases, a blocked oil gland is the cause of it. A chalazion can develop on the upper or lower eyelid. This is not a contagious condition. It is more common in adults compared to children.
The eyelid cyst is similar to a sty, but usually, it is less painful and larger. A chalazion is characterized by a localized hard lump and swelling that spreads to the area around your eye, and in occasional cases, it can cause irritation and pain. When it is infected, then it can become more swollen, painful, and red.
The blockage and inflammation of the oil-producing meibomian glands in the eyelids is the most common cause of chalazion.
People who often touch their eyelids with unclean hands and people with a history of chalazion have increased chances of getting chalazion.
There are some people who naturally have thicker Meibomian gland secretions than others which makes them susceptible to blocked oil glands that lead to chalazion.
In most cases, a chalazion is not a serious condition, and in rare cases, they obstruct vision or poses an immediate problem for the eye.
In most cases, eyelid cysts heal on their own within two to eight weeks. Home remedies can help them to heal faster.
Talk with your doctor about your condition and the best natural treatment for you.
10 Here are some natural treatments for chalazion
Contents
Castor oil
This natural cure has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the inflammation and pain associated with chalazion [1]. Also, it can help to bring down the size of the cyst quickly, which in turn can help to heal quickly.
You should apply a warm compress over the affected area for five minutes. Then, you should use a cotton swab to apply the castor oil to your affected eyelid. You should follow this home remedy on a daily basis, two times per day for a period of one to two weeks.
Also, there is another option, and that is to mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder with enough castor oil to make a thick paste. After washing the cyst with warm water, you should apply this paste to the affected eyelid. Let it stay there for fifteen minutes before you rinse it off using warm water. You should repeat this home treatment 3 times per day until the chalazion is gone.
Maintain personal hygiene
When someone has chalazion, then he or she should maintain personal hygiene because this can help them to promote quick recovery. This can help to fight off infection.
You should wash your eyelids on a regular basis with a little baby shampoo mixed in warm water. You shouldn’t share your towels or handkerchief with anyone in which includes your family members.
You should wash your hands and fingers thoroughly before you touch your eyes.
You should keep the area around your hands clean at all times. You should try your best not to rub or touch your eyes.
If you are using cosmetics, then you should stop using them for some time. Also, you should avoid using contact lenses as well. You should not scratch or squeeze the cyst. You should let it open on its own. You should protect your eyes from air pollution and dust.
Apple cider vinegar
There are many people who have reported positive results after they have used the apple cider vinegar compresses for chalazion. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain and even fight the infection.
You should put two teaspoons of organic, raw, and unfiltered apple cider vinegar into one cup of hot water.
You should soak a cotton ball in this home remedy and then apply it to the affected area for about one minute. You should follow this home remedy 3 times per day for a period of a few days.
Also, you can mix one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with one cup of water. You should drink this home remedy 2 times per day for a period of a few weeks. [2]
Acacia leaves
When people are using an infusion prepared from acacia leaves, it can help them to reduce the swelling and pain associated with chalazion because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties [3].
You should heat two cups of water, and you should boil a handful of acacia leaves in it. When this home remedy is comfortably warm, then you should remove the leaves. Soak a piece of clean cloth in this home remedy, and you should use it as a warm compress. You should repeat this home remedy a few times per day for a period of several days. You should wash the acacia leaves thoroughly before you use them.
Guava leaves
Guava leaves are also a very popular home remedy for chalazion. They have anti-inflammatory compounds which can help to reduce pain and swelling. Also, they have natural healing power, which can help to speed up recovery.
You should wash five or six guava leaves thoroughly. You should warm these leaves in the microwave for a few seconds. If you do not have a microwave, then you should put them in boiling water for five minutes. You should place one warm leaf on the affected eye. Also, you can place a damp, warm cloth over it. When the leaf cools down, then you should replace it with a new warm leaf. You should do this natural treatment two times per day for a period of several days. [4]
Massage
When you are gently massaging the affected eyelid, then this can help accelerate the process of draining. This will promote quick healing.
You should wash your hands with soap and water. You should apply a warm compress on the closed eyelid for five minutes. You should use your fingers to gently massage the affected area in the upward direction. You should massage for two to three minutes in a period of a few times per day.
Warm compress
This is one of the best home remedies which you can use for chalazion. This will help you to increase blood circulation to the affected area, and it can promote the drainage of the gland.
Also, it can help to reduce swelling and pain. You should soak a soft cloth in hot water. Water should be clean and sterilized. Wring out the excess water. You should hold this warm and moist cloth on your closed eyelid for a period of five to ten minutes. Repeat this home treatment three to four times per day for a period of two weeks.
Also, you can try facial steaming.
Parsley
This home remedy can help to draw out toxic materials from eyelid cysts which in turn can help to promote healing. Also, it acts as a mild antibacterial agent, which can help to fight infections [5].
You should place a handful of fresh parsley in a small bowl. You should pour a cup of boiling water over it and allow the water to cool. You should dip a clean washcloth in the water and then wring out the excess water of it. Then, you should place this warm and moist cloth over the affected area for a period of fifteen minutes. You should follow this home treatment about three times per day for a period of a week.
Aloe Vera
This is a very effective home remedy for chalazion. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and redness. Also, it has antibacterial properties, which can fight infection [6].
Cut open a fresh Aloe Vera leaf and then extract the gel from it. You should apply the gel directly to the affected eyelid. Let it stay there for fifteen to twenty minutes, and then rinse it off using lukewarm water. You should repeat this home treatment a few times per day for a period of a week.
Also, there is another option, and that is to soak a cotton ball in Aloe Vera gel for five minutes. Apply it on the chalazion for twenty minutes. You should wait for two hours and then reapply again. You should use this home remedy for a period of one week. You should rinse the Aloe Vera leaf thoroughly before you extract the gel.
Green tea bags
They can also be a very effective home remedy for chalazion. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you to reduce inflammation and pain and to reduce the size of the chalazion [7].
Also, it is rich in tannic acid, which can help to keep the infection at bay. You should dip a green tea bag in warm water for five minutes. You should remove the tea bag from the water and then squeeze out the excess water. You should hold the moist tea bag over the affected eyelid for five minutes. You should repeat the natural treatment with green tea bags a few times per day.
References:
[1] Geerling G, Tauber J, Baudouin C, et al. The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: Report of the subcommittee on management and treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2011;52(4):2050-64.
[2] Beh BK, Mohamad NE, Yeap SK, et al. Anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of synthetic acetic acid vinegar and Nipa vinegar on high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:6664.
[3] Mattana CM, Satorres SE, Sosa A, et al. Antibacterial activity of extracts of acacia aroma against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 2010;41(3):581-87.
[4] Biswas B, Rogers K, McLaughlin F, et al. Antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts of guava (Psidium guajava L.) on two gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. International Journal of Microbiology. 2013;2013:746165.
[5] Wong PYY, Kitts DD. Studies on the dual antioxidant and antibacterial properties of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) extracts. Food Chemistry. 2006;97(3):505-515.
[6] Hashemi SA, Madani SA, Abediankenari S. The review on properties of aloe vera in healing of cutaneous wounds. BioMed Research International. 2015.
[7] Chatterjee P, Chandra S, Dey P, Bhattacharya S. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of green tea and black tea: A comparative in vitro study. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research. 2012;3(2):136-138.
