Barley on the eye
General characteristics of the disease
Barley in the eye occurs as a result of acute purulent inflammation of the sebaceous gland on the eyelid or hair follicle of the eyelash. The term "external stye on the eye" is used when the lash bulb is blocked. And the concept of "internal barley in the eye" is used for inflammation of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid, the so-called meyboy gland.
Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of this inflammatory process. The spread of infection provokes a weakening of immunity in case of colds and chronic diseases, against the background of which barley develops in the eye.
Additional causes of frequent cases of barley in a child's eye include helminthic infestations. Often, the disease develops as a complication of blepharitis - a chronic inflammation of the eyelid caused by Staphylococcus aureus. People who are often exposed to stress, patients with an increased amount of lipids in the blood with hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, obesity and hypertension have a predisposition to the formation of barley in the eyes.
Symptoms of barley on the eye
Early signs of barley on the eye are redness, swelling and slight soreness of the eyelid. After a while, a tubercle appears on it with a small yellowish speck in the center. Barley grows on the eye, ripens, and then spontaneously opens. In the process of ripening, a person with barley on his eye hurts to blink, his temperature may rise to subfebrile levels and develop sensitivity to light.
When opened, purulent contents are released from the barley on the eye. It can cause eyelid abscess and cosmetic problems with eyelash growth.
Barley on the eye should not be confused with chalazion, a benign tumor caused by chronic inflammation of the cartilage in the eyelid. Treatment of barley on the eye differs significantly from therapy of chalazion.
Medical treatment of barley on the eye
Frequent cases of barley in the eye are an indication for the appointment of immunomodulatory and antibacterial therapy. Treatment of barley on the eye with antibiotics is carried out locally with the help of eye drops based on Albucid, Erythromycin or Penicillin. The solution is instilled into the sore eye 3-4 times a day.
At night, an antibacterial or steroid ointment is placed under the eyelid with barley. The procedure should be carried out immediately before bedtime with thoroughly washed hands. Oral antibiotics are rarely used in treating barley in the eye.
How to cure barley with a compress?
In the treatment of barley on the eye, compresses are recommended. A warming patch is applied to the eye up to 6 times a day for 5-10 minutes. A warm compress can accelerate the maturation of the barley on the eye and relieve the patient's discomfort during blinking.
The maximum period of use of compresses in the treatment of barley on the eye is 5-7 days. If during this time the barley has not opened on its own, the doctor will have to resort to piercing with the use of local anesthesia. The procedure for forced opening of barley in the eye of a child can be performed under general anesthesia.
Alternative treatment of barley
There are many ways to treat barley, from the wildest to the truly effective. Recommendations to spit in the eye or to show a fig to a person with barley in his eye can be safely attributed to the first category of useless and sometimes dangerous advice from folk healers. As you know, there are many bacteria in human saliva. They can aggravate the course of the inflammatory process.
How to cure barley with herbal medicine?
Quite effective methods of folk treatment of barley include lotions from aloe juice diluted with water at a concentration of 1:10.
For the preparation of warming compresses, weak solutions of chamomile, flaxseed, tea or St. John's wort can be used. With barley on a child's eye, melted honey is often used.
In the folk treatment of barley, lotions from raw garlic and bread crumb are also used on the eye. As an alternative to a warming compress, you can apply a boiled warm egg to the eye with barley.
Prevention of barley in the eye
To prevent the formation of barley on the eye, it is very important not to overcool, never use someone else's cosmetics, do not rub your eyes with dirty hands and keep contact lenses sterile. With barley on the eye, in order to protect others from infection, for the entire period of illness, only a personal towel and separate utensils should be used.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
