Eyelid problems

My eyelids are irritated, red, itching, flaking and burning.  Now they are getting so bad that they are cracking.  I tried really good lotion with shea butter and then I tried vasoline.  But nothing is working and it's been going on for about 6 months now.  I don't have insurance so I was wondering if there was anything I could do myself?

[Forum-OD-MP]

sounds like possible blepharitis.  in fact to me it sounds like staphylococcal bleparitis, which would need medical intervention and Rx-only medications, both topical and oral depending on severity.

there is no "lotion" that i would consider safe or effective for any eye lid problem.

vasoline wont hurt you any, but probably wont help, either.

you could try lid scrubs:

http://www.agingeye.net/otheragingeye/blepharitis.php

but if the eyelids themselves are red and inflamed, lid scrubs by themselves are usually not enough.  most of the time i end up having to Rx my patients both topical (ointment) therapy as well as oral antibiotic pills.