Warm compress methods

[NYer]

I can't tolerate dry heat on my eyes - must be wet heat. Also, since I have rosacea, I have to limit the heat on my eyes, so I use a wet hot washcloth - that way if it's a little too hot I just wait a bit to let it cool down a little and then hold it on my eyes.

Sometimes I just hold it about an inch away from my eyes, which keeps the full heat from touching my lids but it allows the steam to warm and moisten them instead.
The only drawback, as we know, is that it cools off pretty quickly and you have to stay in the bathroom to keep re-heating the washcloth.

I like Magoo's idea, using the rice bag to keep the washcloth warm. I'll give that a shot.

By the way, for a cold compress (which can be very soothing), the washcloth works well. It retains the cold much longer than the heat. I have found that putting the wet washcloth in a plastic bag and refrigerating (not freezing) it for a while makes it a great temperature and it stays cold for quite a while afterwards.
(note: don't use freezing stuff on your eyes...just cold...ice cold aggravates rosacea and I can't imagine it's good for non-rosacea eyes either.)

[acarol]

I find steaming very soothing.

[riverstoneannie]

microwaved gel heat pack covered with wet washcloth

[mgshutterbug]

Moist heat best for me

I've found that the rice baggy by itself wasn't helping, and the warm wet washcloth wouldn't stay warm long enough, so I also use the warm, damp washcloth with the rice baggy. That works great for me.

Maria

[Guest]

Voted "other" because I use steam.