Caring for Episcleritis, Gently — A Whole-Body Look at Inflammation, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Flare-Day Support
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Hey y'all! — I hope this message finds you well.
Episcleritis isn’t a word most people know—until their eye turns red, irritated, and painful without warning. When I first started sharing my experience, I quickly realized how little accessible, lived-experience information exists around it. Most explanations are clinical, most treatments are short-term, and most conversations stop at “take this and see if it helps.”
This blog is for anyone navigating Episcleritis who wants to understand their body more deeply—not just quiet symptoms, but listen to what their body is communicating.
If you’re looking for my personal healing journey, you can read my earlier post and watch my YouTube video here: Healing Episcleritis With Traditional Chinese Medicine Practices.
That piece tells my story. This one explains the framework I live by now.
What Is Episcleritis?
Image: Wikipedia
So first, a quick recap: Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the episclera, the thin layer of tissue between the white of the eye (sclera) and the conjunctiva. It often appears as:
- Sudden redness in one or both eyes
- Mild to moderate discomfort or tenderness
- A gritty or sore sensation
- Light sensitivity (for some)
It’s usually described as benign and self-limiting, meaning it may resolve on its own. But for those of us with recurrent flares, it’s anything but simple. Recurrence often points to something systemic—immune, inflammatory, emotional, or stress-related—rather than just an “eye issue.”
Episcleritis vs. Scleritis: An Important Distinction
These two conditions are often confused, but they are not the same.
Episcleritis
• Affects the surface layer of the eye
• Typically mild to moderate pain
• Redness is often localized
• Does not usually threaten vision
• May come and go
Scleritis
• Affects the deeper, thicker sclera
• Causes severe, deep eye pain
• Often linked to systemic autoimmune disease
• Can threaten vision if untreated
• Requires aggressive medical intervention
I name this distinction because many people panic when they first hear inflammation + eye. Understanding what you’re dealing with helps ground fear—and opens the door to intentional care.
A journaling companion for flare days and reflection —
because healing is NOT linear
What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & its connection to Episcleritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient, holistic system that views the body as interconnected, not compartmentalized. Rather than isolating symptoms, TCM asks:
• Where is energy (qi) stagnating?
• Which organ systems are overheated, deficient, or stressed?
• What emotional patterns might be contributing?
• How is digestion, rest, and circulation supporting—or burdening—the body?
In TCM, the eyes are deeply connected to the liver system, which governs circulation, detoxification, and emotional flow—especially stress and frustration. That framework alone changed how I understood my flares.
Instead of asking “How do I make this stop?”
I started asking “What is my body asking for?”
⚠️Important Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog post and accompanying checklist is for educational and personal reflection purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition and should not be considered medical advice.
I am sharing my lived experience and holistic practices that support my body. Every body is different. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider, ophthalmologist, or licensed practitioner before making changes to your medical care or treatment plan.
This content is meant to support body awareness—not replace professional care.
Why I Chose TCM Over Long-Term Steroid Use
This part is personal—and important.
I was offered steroid eye drops, which do reduce inflammation quickly. But I learned that for chronic or recurrent cases, steroids can become a cycle:
• Temporary relief
• Symptoms return
• Higher or longer dosages
• Long-term risks with repeated use
For me, that felt like a bandage, not healing.
I didn’t want to silence my body’s signals. I wanted to understand why inflammation kept showing up—and how to support my body so it didn’t need to scream.
TCM gave me tools to:
• Reduce inflammation systemically
• Support my immune response
• Identify triggers
• Build long-term resilience
This doesn’t mean Western medicine has no place. It means I chose a root-based approach for a recurring condition—one that aligned with how I want to live in my body.
This is what my healing looked like. Watch my Episcleritis story
What I Do During an Episcleritis Flare
These are practical, gentle steps I return to when my body needs care—not control.
1. Gentle Movement & Circulation
I prioritize walking, stretching, or light yoga. Nothing intense. Movement helps release stagnation and supports lymphatic flow—especially when stress is involved.
2. Warm Fluids & Teas
Cold constricts. Warmth soothes. I focus on:
• Warm water
• Herbal teas
• Broths
This supports digestion and circulation, both essential in TCM healing.
3. Deep, Intentional Rest
Flares are a message—not an inconvenience. I rest without guilt, reduce screen time, and protect my energy.
4. Oscillococcinum (Body Reset Support)
I personally use this as a gentle immune support when my body feels overwhelmed—not as a cure, but as part of my reset ritual.
Checkout my Amazon Storefront-
'Episcleritis Care' list for all my recommendations:
5. Paying Attention to Food Triggers
I notice patterns rather than restrict out of fear. For me, inflammatory foods during stress seasons can worsen symptoms. Some of my triggers I've noticed:
- dark chocolate (particularly cocoa)
- heavily processed and/or frozen foods
- excessive sugar
- garbanzo beans/ chickpeas (including garbanzo flour and pasta)
It's important to connect the foods eaten that may be triggering concurrent flares.
6. Mental Health & Stress Awareness
Stress is not abstract—it’s physiological. I check in with:
• Emotional overload
• Overcommitment
• Unprocessed tension
This is non-negotiable care.
7. Gentle Face & Eye Care
No harsh cleansers. No aggressive rubbing. I keep everything around my eyes soft, simple, and soothing. I also found that cold compresses help me best during flares.
8. Patience & Self-Love During Flares
This might be the hardest—and most healing—practice. I remind myself:
My body is not failing me. It is communicating with me.
I move slower. I speak kinder to myself. I don’t rush healing.
A gentle companion for flare days created with love to support listening, not fixing or self-blame.
💌Closing Love Note
Living with episcleritis taught me something unexpected: healing isn’t about overpowering the body—it’s about partnering with it.
If you’re here because your eye is red, sore, or scaring you—I see you. If you’re here because doctors gave you answers but not understanding—I see you. And if you’re here because you want to live more connected to your body, not at war with it—I’m glad to see you here.
Healing is not linear. But it can be intentional. And you are not alone in this.
Until next time.
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