Warm and Cold Compresses – How-to Guide

Warm or cold compresses are one of the most commonly prescribed eye treatments. Although they are routinely used as a treatment for various eye conditions, it actually constitutes good eye hygiene if you use a compress habitually. Actually, if there is one good daily habit for the eyes that is akin to brushing your teeth, it may very well be using compresses. 

Are you suffering from eye irritation, blepharitis, tired eyes, styes, dry eye, pink eye, conjunctivitis, mastitis, red puffy eyes, eye chalazion, eye infections, swollen eyes, black eyes, or eye pain?  If so, this compress guide is certainly for you. Read on to learn how to relieve your eye irritation with warm and cold compresses.

What Does a Warm Compress do for the Eyes?

Warm compresses are more commonly used than cold compresses as they work to benefit the eyes in several ways. Their effect comes from stimulating the oil glands of the eye to release oils which stop tears from evaporating too quickly.

Warm compresses also provide eye comfort, improve circulation, and work as a sleep aid due to a relaxing effect.

I’m sure many of us can relate to coming home from work where we were looking at a computer screen all day, leaving our eyes strained and dried out.  Using a warm compress could provide that much-needed relief. 

While using the warm compress, you likely will find that this action also serves to help get you to sleep a lot faster. Do you have an unorganized and discombobulated night-time routine that still leaves your eyes tired when you wake up?

Routinely using a compress could be the missing element you’re looking for.

And if you think using an over the counter sleep aid like Benadryl could help you fall asleep past the feeling of your dry eyes, think again. While that Benadryl may help you get to sleep, one unfortunate side effect is actually dry eyes. So while you may get some sleep using the drug, you’re actually worsening the dry eyes, and as a result, harming your sleep cycle. In this case, warm compresses are likely a better solution.

Additionally, if your tears are evaporating too quickly and your eyes are feeling dry as a result, consistently applying warm compresses can sometimes provide full relief without the need for prescription eye drops or other remedies. 

One great effect of warm compresses is that they work to somewhat detoxify the oil glands in your eyes. If your glands are producing excessive amounts of oil, a warm compress can help.

Types of Warm Compresses

There are several types of warm compresses you can buy that are microwavable or even electronically heated. While you can buy them manufactured, you can actually make a fairly effective one from some household items.

The two families of warm compresses are moist warm compresses and dry warm compresses.

How do I Make a Wet Warm Compress for my Eyes?

To make a homemade moist warm compress for your eyes, grab a clean washcloth and a large bowl and do the following:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water

2. Fill the bowl with hot water (NOT BOILING). You don’t want the water to be too hot. You want it to be about standard hot tub temperature or whatever you can personally tolerate. If you have Engineer personality disorder, 104 degrees Fahrenheit is the goal (just kidding I love you guys). 

3. Dip a clean washcloth in the hot water. Squeeze out excess water but keep it moist.

4. Get comfortable by laying down and closing your eyes. If you prefer the towel a little more wet, then bend over a sink or bowl instead so the water doesn’t get into your eyes.

5. Either roll up the washcloth or fold it into a rectangle and apply it to your eyelids with gentle pressure.

6. Use the moist warm compress for about 5 to 20 minutes at least once a day or as directed by your eye doctor.

7. Use a new washcloth for a second application or clean the washcloth prior to reuse.

How do I Make a Dry Warm Compress for my Eyes?

If you prefer, you do have the option of making a dry warm compress instead of a wet one.

To make a homemade dry warm compress for the eyes, grab a clean sock and some uncooked rice and do the following:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water

2. Fill the clean sock halfway with the uncooked rice and tie a knot on the top

3. Microwave the sock for about 30 seconds. Feel the sock and if it still isn’t warm, put it back in the microwave for additional 15-second increments until it’s finally warm. A good test is to apply the sock to your wrist. If you can’t tolerate the heat, then it’s too hot. Usually, it’s warm at about 30-60 seconds of microwaving. Your timing may vary as everyone’s microwave wattage is different.

4. Get comfortable by laying down and closing your eyes

5. Apply the sock with gentle pressure on your eyes for about 5 to 20 minutes or as directed by your eye doctor.

6. Use a new sock for a second application or clean the sock prior to reuse.

Once you’ve completed your warm compress, you’ll want to perform a Meibomian Gland massage to take full advantage of this very healthy eye ritual.

Are Cold Compresses Good for the Eyes?

Cold compresses work by reducing any perceived heat from itchy or irritated eyes. Like warm compresses, they can also help to relieve eye strain that comes from staring at digital screens all day.

Cold compresses are used for people who are struggling to use their eyes because they feel a burning or painful sensation. They are also used for providing relief to those who are using mobile or other digital screens and forget to take blinking breaks.

How do I Make a Cold Compress for the Eyes?

To make a homemade cold compress for the eyes, grab a washcloth and a plastic bag of ice and do the following:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water

2. Wrap the plastic bag of ice with the washcloth. Alternatively, you could just dampen the washcloth with cold water, but be sure to wring out excess water. 

3. Get comfortable by laying down and closing your eyes

4. Place the cold compress on your eyelids and apply gentle pressure. If the temperature causes discomfort, then it is not ready for use until it warms a little or you may need to wrap an additional layer of washcloth.

5. Use cold compresses for about 5 to 20 minutes as directed by your eye doctor. Caution: prolonged exposure to a cold compress may cause frostbite on your eyelids. 

Is Heat or Cold Better for the Eyes?

If you are not sure which one to go with, warm or cold compresses, try one for 5 to 10 minutes. If you don’t get the relief you are looking for, try the other. It all comes down to your own personal preference.

You will find that warm compresses are more commonly prescribed by your eye doctor, but you may find for yourself that cold compresses are just as beneficial.

If both do not seem to work for you, certainly see your eye doctor for further evaluation. When you are suffering from allergies, blepharitis, Meibomian Gland dysfunction, or eye inflammation, other types of treatment are generally required alongside compresses.  

Live in or around the Plano, TX area and in search of eye relief? Stop by one of our locations, schedule an eye exam on our website, or simply give us a call. Motiveyes Eye Care will always be here for your eyes. See you soon!

Benefits, how to make one, and more

Cold compresses are a safe, effective home remedy for eye discomfort.

A cold compress can relieve symptoms such as swelling, pain, and dryness, so it can help people with dry eyes, pinkeye, and eye pain.

As cold compresses constrict blood vessels, they can also improve the appearance of dark circles and the discomfort of puffy eyes.

In some cases, using a warm compress may be a suitable treatment for eye problems. People can also try prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops.

Read more about the eye conditions that a cold compress can treat, including how to make them and what to consider before using one.

Cold compresses can relieve the symptoms of various eye problems, particularly those that do not need further medical attention.

Dry eye

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), dry eye affects millions of people in the United States every year. The symptoms include:

• an itchy, scratchy, or burning feeling in the eye
• red eyes
• sensitivity to light
• blurred vision

Dry eye develops when the tear glands do not produce enough moisture. Doctors often advise people with dry eye to use OTC eye drops, also known as artificial tears.

However, a 2013 study showed that using a cold compress may be as effective as artificial tears. As well as being less expensive, it is also a natural treatment option.

Learn more about dry eyes.

Pinkeye

Allergies or infections in the eye can often cause an eye condition called pinkeye, or conjunctivitis. It usually improves on its own, but until then, it can make the eyes feel:

• dry
• gritty
• itchy
• watery

Using a cold compress may ease the swelling and redness associated with pinkeye. People using a cold compress should ensure that it is clean before use and wash it after every use.

If the eyes feel very painful, produce more pus than usual, and are more sensitive to light, people should contact a doctor.

Learn more about pinkeye.

Eye pain

Many things can cause eye pain, including:

• a foreign object in the eye
• allergy or infection
• contact lens irritation
• an injury
• cysts or lumps around the eyelid, such as a stye or a chalazion

Placing a cold compress over the affected eye or eyes for 15 minutes can reduce swelling and relieve pain.

If the pain is a result of something in the eye, it is important not to rub or press it. Instead, a person can gently flush the eye with water. If a person’s eye pain results from exposure to chemicals, they should wash the eye with water and seek immediate medical attention.

Learn more about different causes of eye pain.

Dark circles and eye bags

Some people are more likely than others to have dark circles. These individuals include older adults, people of a non-white background, and those with a genetic predisposition to dark circles.

Dark circles can also occur due to:

• dermatitis
• aging
• smoking
• rubbing the eyes
• hayfever
• fatigue
• dehydration

Using a cold compress can shrink the blood vessels under the eyes, reducing the appearance of darkness and swelling.

Learn more about dark circles under the eyes.

It is easy to make a cold compress using household items. There are several options people can try, depending on the materials they can access.

Cold towel

A person can make a cold towel compress by following these steps:

• running a clean dishcloth under water and wringing it out so that it is damp
• folding it into a square
• placing the folded cloth in a plastic bag and putting it in the freezer for 15 minutes
• removing the frozen cloth from the bag and gently applying it to the eyes

Ice pack

Making an ice pack compress involves these steps:

• placing ice into a resealable plastic bag
• breaking the ice gently into small pieces if it is in large chunks
• wrapping the sealed ice bag with a clean dishcloth and applying it to the eyes as necessary

Frozen food pack

People can make a frozen food pack compress by:

• using small frozen vegetables such as peas, corn, or mixed vegetables
• pouring a small amount into a resealable plastic bag
• covering it with a clean dishcloth and applying it to the eyes

A person should gently place the compress on a closed eye. The NEI recommends keeping a cold compress on an eye injury for 15 minutes. It is fine to repeat the treatment as necessary every couple of hours.

It is essential never to apply ice directly to the skin. People should also take care not to use a frozen cold compress for too long. The Rand Eye Institute recommends using an iced compress for no longer than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite.

Warm compresses may also relieve pain, strain, or irritation.

People can use warm compresses to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a condition in which the glands in the eyes do not secrete enough oil. This lack of oil can cause dry, sore eyes. A 2015 study showed that using a bundled warm, moist towel increased the temperature of the inner eyelid enough to have therapeutic value.

Anyone who thinks that they may have MGD should contact their eye doctor.

A person should always test a cold or warm compress on another part of the body before applying it to the eye area.

It is important to avoid using chemical cooling packs on the eyes. If the chemicals were to leak, they could cause eye pain and damage. People should also refrain from applying raw meat to the eyes.

People with dry eyes can try other treatments, including:

• OTC eye drops, or artificial tears
• prescription eye drops such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra)
• tear duct plugs, which a doctor may recommend

The NEI says that the following can prevent symptoms from flaring up:

• avoiding smoke, wind, or harsh air conditioning
• using a humidifier at home
• drinking adequate water
• limiting screen time on digital devices
• taking regular breaks from intense, focused activities
• wearing wraparound sunglasses outside
• getting enough sleep

Cold compresses can be a safe and effective way to relieve the symptoms of dry eye, pinkeye, eye pain, and dark circles and eye bags. People can easily make a cold compress at home using a dishcloth, ice, or frozen vegetables.

However, people should avoid chemical ice packs, as these could lead to injury if the chemicals enter the eye. Anyone in this situation should contact an eye doctor right away.

How to make a compress for the eyes at home?

Inflammation of blood vessels, dryness in the eyes, a burning sensation, itching – all these are the consequences of improper operation of the lacrimal apparatus.

Folk remedies for dry and tired eyes

Regular moisture deficiency and overwork have a very negative impact on the health of the visual apparatus. But according to the assurances of adherents of traditional medicine, there are several “magic” recipes that will help get rid of discomfort:

• Chamomile eye pack. The healing plant has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, soothing, analgesic, moisturizing effects. Chamomile lotions are advised to be used to eliminate redness, dryness, swelling, as well as other consequences of overwork of the organ of vision. They also have an anti-age effect and help preserve the youthfulness of the skin in the periorbital area. But all these “miraculous” properties only sound beautiful and convincing. In real life, even if you know how to make a chamomile eye compress correctly, you should not expect magical healing from it.
• Tea compress for the eyes. Tea contains caffeine, polyphenols, minerals. It is believed that the antioxidants that make up its composition help fight the effects of oxidative stress, eliminate redness. Caffeine makes the skin around the eyes more elastic, reduces swelling, helps get rid of dark circles. More convenient to use lotions from tea bags, and they can be both warm and cold. There is limited evidence that applying cool green tea bags (white or black) helps with dryness, redness, and irritation. But they cannot be used for therapeutic purposes. In the treatment of pathological conditions, it is not enough just to make tea compresses; qualified treatment is needed.
• Potato eye compress. Raw potatoes contain starch. It is believed that it helps to get rid of swelling of the eyes by removing excess moisture in the skin. Potatoes can be rubbed on a grater or just cut off a couple of circles and apply to closed eyes. But with such a compress for the eyes, as with other homemade products, you need to be careful. For example, when using potatoes, there is a risk of eye irritation if the juice comes into contact with the mucous membrane.

According to the adherents of traditional medicine, compresses from cucumber, milk, decoction of cornflower, mallow, mint can be useful for the organ of vision. Some craftsmen advise using an alcohol compress on the eyes for local heating. But under no circumstances should this be done.

Vodka lotions are usually used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. It is absolutely impossible to apply them on the eyes, because the aggressive effect of alcohol can cause a burn of the mucous membrane. Specialists, as a rule, are skeptical about self-treatment and all kinds of homemade recipes, because the lack of adequate treatment is one of the main reasons for the chronicity of eye pathologies.

Cold or warm compresses for the eyes: what can be helpful?

Cold compresses help to increase the tone of the skin of the eyelids, narrow the blood vessels. Therefore, it is believed that the application of cold compresses can eliminate the redness, dryness, itching, burning condition in the eyes.

Warm compresses contribute to the expansion of blood vessels, activation of blood supply. They can be used as part of complex therapy for blepharitis, since heat helps to normalize the excretion of the secretion of the meibomian glands.

Delfanto® warm applicator – first aid for eye fatigue

In case of visual fatigue, you can make a compress for the eyes yourself at home using a warm Delfanto® applicator. This is a medical product that can be used to quickly produce dry heat up to 2000 times. The self-heating heating pad Delfanto® is activated in a few seconds. To do this, it is enough to slightly bend the starter wand, after which the supersaturated saline solution will begin to crystallize with the release of heat. The heating pad can be used to solve the following tasks:

• activation of capillary blood supply;
• improvement of the ocular apparatus;
• restoration of the functions of the organ of vision in case of overwork, blepharitis, “dry eye” syndrome.

The Delfanto® applicator can also be used as a cold compress, for example, for morning swelling of the eyes, because it perfectly retains cold. To do this, the non-activated heating pad must be placed in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.

The Delfanto® applicator is convenient to use at home, on vacation, at work. For maximum comfort, the product comes with a comfortable elastic band to secure it over the eyes. Before using a heating pad for medical purposes, it is better to consult a specialist.

Dealing with puffiness: how to avoid water retention in the body – Facial Care – Blog

If you wake up in the morning and your face and body look more puffy than you are used to, know that there are several possible causes, most of which are easy to fix. While there are some health conditions, such as allergies or sinus infections, that can be the primary cause of swelling, for most people, food, alcohol, and other familiar things are more likely to be the culprit.

What is edema?

Edema is the enlargement of organs, including the skin, or other parts of the body. This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to rapid weight gain over a short period of time. Edema can occur throughout the body (generalized) or only in one part of the body (local).

What causes swelling?

Edema is usually caused by water retention. The reason that the face becomes puffy in the morning is usually due to an imbalance of vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) and electrolytes (minerals that have an electrical charge and help balance the amount of water in the body), causing fluid imbalance.

Another common cause may be disorders in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is incredibly important for cleansing the body, and sometimes it gets blocked or slowed down.

There are also many diseases that can present with swelling, including thyroid disease, sinus infections, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic syndrome, and kidney disease. If you suspect swelling associated with any disease, you should consult with a therapist.

Let’s talk about causes that are not related to the pathological conditions of the body. Triggers for excess water accumulation vary. This can happen for many reasons:

• banal lack of sleep

Lack of or altered sleep patterns can cause puffiness of the face, especially around the eyes. Puffiness can also be caused by the position you sleep in and the type of pillow you use. With a horizontal position of the body, the liquid is redistributed to the face. It’s not just puffiness that you need to worry about – during sleep, the skin undergoes a regeneration process, so lack of sleep manifests itself in the form of an earthy skin color and dark circles.

• excessive consumption of salty foods

Sodium regulates blood flow and pressure, and contributes to the normal functioning of nerves and muscle fibers. Chlorine helps digestion. However, excess salt can be harmful, especially in processed foods such as chips, snacks, and convenience foods. By consuming too much sodium, the body retains excess water.

• evening drinking

First of all, alcohol increases inflammation in the body, which exacerbates any such situation, such as acne. And inflammation can give a local reaction in the form of swelling. Secondly, alcohol is a diuretic that causes general dehydration. Alcohol provokes the body to retain fluid in order to replenish the water balance. This will cause general swelling in the morning.

• too hot shower

Hot water can be pleasant and relaxing, but it can increase fluid and blood flow. Don’t be surprised when you come out puffy after a hot shower.

How to deal with puffiness quickly

The fact that something went wrong the day before, you will most likely find out in the morning when you see yourself in an unusual puffy state. Take care of the problem as soon as you wake up.

Exercise

Having assumed a vertical position, we have already started the process of outflow of fluid from the face. Now you should stimulate the lymphatic system to remove excess fluid from the body. Write down the simplest and most effective exercise to start the lymph flow of the whole body: stand up straight with your arms crossed over your chest, rise on your toes about five centimeters from the floor, then drop sharply, lightly hitting your heels on the floor. Do two sets of 30 such “jumps”. Please note that heel strikes should not be painful, do them sharply, but gently.

More intense morning workouts are also helpful in combating puffiness. Physical exercise opens the pores of the skin and increases blood flow. As a result, water and salt are excreted from the body in the form of sweat. This maintains the correct water-salt balance in the body and reduces swelling. Therefore, it is important to lead an active lifestyle if you notice a tendency to edema.

Use cold in combination with lymphatic drainage massage

Our grandmothers also used cold compresses in the form of metal spoons chilled in the refrigerator to tone the skin. Indeed, the cold can improve blood circulation and help reduce facial puffiness.

Wash your face with cool water and your favorite cleanser and drain your face and neck with your hands or with a pre-cooled gouache roller or scraper. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body and their job is to drain fluid from skin tissue and transport it back into the bloodstream. Violation of the lymph flow leads to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, resulting in swelling.

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Start the lymphatic drainage massage from the side of the neck: from the ear down, activate the lymph flow so that the water can calmly move down from the tissues of the face. Then work with the face, moving along the massage lines from the center to the periphery, moving towards the ear and down the neck. Such a massage will help to “open” the eyes, tighten the chin area and outline the cheekbones.

A cool shower with a cleansing gel with menthol or essential oils, a light massage with a drainage scrub will not only improve the overall appearance, but also energize you for the whole day.

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Store cosmetics in the refrigerator

An excellent addition to the previous paragraph will be the cold textures of the usual care. Having allocated a shelf in the refrigerator door for cream, serum and eye area product, you can enjoy a pleasant invigorating beauty ritual every morning. If storing cosmetics in the refrigerator is not your option, then at least keep one or two sheet masks in reserve. They do not take up much space, but they will always help out in an SOS situation.

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Cold compresses can help relieve puffiness around the eyes. We will not use spoons, tea bags and circles of cucumbers, we will turn to modern technologies – patches and masks.

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Avoid dehydration

It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping the body well hydrated is an excellent prevention of fluid retention. Regular consumption of water in sufficient quantities maintains the correct water-salt balance. And the lack of fluid gives the body a signal about the need to accumulate fluid “in reserve”, which leads to its retention in the body.

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Pay attention to sleeping position

If you know that you are prone to swelling of the face, it is recommended to sleep in a position in which the head is higher than the rest of the body.