ask: Blepharitis

Charlie,

It is not suggested to spray anything not approved for the eye area. The reason is there could be chemicals in the compound to damage the eye.

Research on colloidal silver has shown to be beneifical with infections but you must be pro-active when buying a product. Quality means everything. If the product is not completely pure and has been extracted using chemicals this can cause more challenges to the body.

Colloidal Silver when used over a period of time can bulid up in the liver. In extreme cases if may cause your skin to turn blue.

From my research inflammation in the body can be caused by the body being to acidic. A lifestyle change in eating habits may help reduce inflammation. With my clients I sometimes suggest using therapeutic grade essential oils to relieve the body of stress and encouraging balance to be restored to the body.

You may try coconut oil on the eyelids to relieve your symptoms, a very small amount on a q-tip. Coconut oil has been shown to help with skin challenges and help with inflammation. It is also something to incorporate into your diet. Dr. Bruce Fife's book Coconut Miracle would be a good place to start.

I hope this helps
Chalyce
Wisdom By Nature
Licensed Aromatherapy Coach
VP of Aromatherapy for Natural Therapies Certification Board

The short answer: No, I would not recommend using colloidal silver without first talking with a medical doctor. There are numerous potential side effects and other risks, and the health benefits claimed by the manufacturers are clinically unproven.

The detailed answer: It is first important to know what is the underlying cause to the blepharitis (inflammed eye lids), as "the primary types of blepharitis are caused by either a skin condition or a bacterial infection. Blepharitis often occurs along with seborrheic dermatitis and acne rosacea."

Colloidal silver has been said to have more risks than benefits, and it is important to receive a proper diagnosis for your doctor first, know the underlying cause(s) and receive appropriate treatment for your specific condition.

Please read this information from the Mayo Clinic: Is colloidal silver safe or effective"; it sounds potentially harmful to use: "Manufacturers of colloidal silver products often claim that they are cure-alls, boosting your immune system, fighting bacteria and viruses, and treating cancer, HIV/AIDS, shingles, herpes, eye ailments and prostatitis. However, no sound scientific studies to evaluate these health claims have been published in reputable medical journals. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has taken action against some manufacturers of colloidal silver products for making unproven health claims. "

Have you had a diagnosis by an ophthalmologist or other medical doctor?

Treatment
Blepharitis is a chronic condition that often requires long-term management. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. Your doctor may advise you not to wear contact lenses until the blepharitis has resolved.
Hygiene

In mild cases, careful, daily eyelid hygiene may bring the inflammation under control:
* Thoroughly wash your hands before performing any eye care.
* Run a washcloth under warm water.
* Place the warm washcloth on your eyelids for 5-15 minutes. This warm compress helps to loosen crust.
* With your eyes closed, wash the eyelids with a special eyelid cleanser or diluted baby shampoo. Use a clean cotton ball for each eye.
* Rinse with cool water.

Medication
If an infection is causing the blepharitis, you will be given antibiotic eye ointment. If your doctor advises, wash your eyelids as described above and apply the ointment with a cotton-tipped applicator. For a mild case, you may only need ointment at bedtime. If the infection is more severe, you may need to apply the ointment up to four times daily. Once resolved, your doctor may advise you to apply the ointment nightly to prevent another episode. If blepharitis returns after topical treatment, you may be given oral antibiotics, though this is rarely necessary. If oral antibiotics are necessary, they will need to be taken for an extended period of time, up to six weeks.

If you are diagnosed with blepharitis, follow your doctor's instructions.