Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Trim your fingernails to avoid scratching your baby’s delicate skin.
Infants are typically born with a thin, persistent membrane over the bottom of the nasolacrimal duct. Performing a targeted massage builds hydrostatic fluid pressure within the lacrimal system. This targeted pressure effectively pops open the stagnant membrane. Blocked tear duct - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic blocked tear ducts massage
While massage is successful in opening the duct for many infants (often by the age of 6 to 12 months), it is not a cure-all. There are times when a parent should stop massaging and return to the doctor: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
For infants, a specialized physical therapy called (specifically the Crigler massage ) is highly effective. Clinical studies published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveal that conservative management using this targeted massage resolves up-to 86.75% of congenital blockages within the first year of life. Efficacy: Infants vs. Adults There are times when a parent should stop
: Repeat this routine 3 times a day (morning, noon, and night) until the blockage clears. Things to Keep in Mind
"It’s like trying to clear a kink in a hose," explains Dr. Emily Vance, a pediatric ophthalmologist. "We are using the fluid pressure created by the massage to open the valve at the end of the duct."
While the diagnosis often leads to a prescription for "watchful waiting," there is a proactive, non-invasive technique that pediatricians often recommend to speed up the process. It is known as Crigler massage, or simply blocked tear duct massage.