Eyelid Infection[/caption] It can be miserable for all parties when your child has itchy, red, irritated or swollen eyes.  Kids want to itch and rub their eyes which generally makes the problem worse. These symptoms are usually caused by allergies, pink eye (conjunctivitis), blepharitis (eyelid infection/inflammation) or styes. I’m going to share with you a few remedies and techniques to help your child’s eyes heal faster so you can stop saying, “Don’t rub!”

Acupressure Points for Any Type of Eye Problems

 Ok, I know I just said not to rub, but this is different. After you’ve cleaned your hands, acupressure around the eye is actually one of the best things you can do to speed healing. Massage the acupressure points in the photo below three times a day. This will help stimulate all the acupuncture points around the eye to promote healing. Rub or knead each point for 15 - 30 seconds each starting at the inner corner of the eyebrow and continuing in a circle around the eye.  Use firm pressure but don’t cause pain.  Teach your child to do massage instead of rubbing if they need relief.

Acupressure Instructions: Rub each point pictured below for 15 - 30 seconds 2 to 3 times daily as needed to relieve symptoms.

Here are Some Additional Natural Remedies:

#1 Warm Chamomile Tea Bag Compresses

These compresses generally feel great when there is any type of eye irritation.  You can make a tea and soak a wash cloth in the tea or after squeezing our the excess tea you can place the warm tea bags directly on the eyes.  A cool compress may feel better If there is a lot of inflammation and irritation in the eye.

#2 Similisan Homeopathic Eye Drops

These are my personal favorite.  They have eye drops for pink eye, allergy eyes, dry eyes and styes.  These drops are great because they are natural and non-stinging, plus they stimulate the eye to heal itself.  They are totally safe and can be used with other OTC or prescription medications.  I’ve seen them carried at drug stores like Rite Aid, CVS and even at Target.  You can also find them online at amazon.com. If your kids don’t like having the drops put in their eyes, dampen a cotton ball with purified warm water, put the drops on the cotton ball and place it over the eye.  Squeeze the cotton ball and some of the drops will roll into the corner of the eye, eventually getting where they are needed.

#3 Castor Oil for Styes

Castor oil is great for resolving styes and swellings.  Just pour a small amount on a cotton ball and gently rub over the eye.  I like to get the cotton ball damp enough with the castor oil to prevent any fuzz from the cotton ball getting into the eye.  Alternately, you can pour a small amount of castor oil onto an organic cotton wash cloth.  Place the cloth over the eye and then put a warm heat pack over on top.  This feels so good!

#4 Goldenseal Eye Wash

Mix about 1 tsp goldenseal powder in 2 cups water and boil for 10 minutes. Let the concoction cool until it’s about about room temperature, then apply and wipe across the eye with a cotton ball. Use the eye wash 3 – 5 times daily for acute symptoms.

#5 Euphrasia Homeopathic Remedy

This is usually my go to remedy for irritated eyes to support healing and relieve symptoms.  Take 2 – 3 pellets three times per day.

Common Sense Caution

Most common eye irritations should begin to improve after a few days, but please use your common sense. If the symptoms get worse contact your doctor right away.