Conjunctivitis - We Care Your Lifestyle

Eye swelling usually gets better within a few weeks without any special treatment. However, it may be necessary to consult a doctor in some cases.

Eye strain is a well-known problem. Medical professionals refer to this condition as conjunctivitis. Eye swelling usually gets better within a few weeks without any special treatment. Eye problems can spread quickly from one person to another. So it is important to know the simple and effective ways to prevent puffy eyes.

Signs of eye-twitching

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of eye swelling. Eye swelling usually affects both eyes. The main symptom of conjunctivitis is the white part of the eye becoming red or pink. Other symptoms include:

Swelling of the eyelids
Swelling of the thin, transparent membrane over the white part of the eye
Itchy, stinging, or burning eyes. A red, itchy eye due to swelling is usually contagious.
A sensation that something has entered the eye or an urge to itch the eye
Watery eyes
Accumulation of mucous fluid or pus in the eye. The pus may become dry and sticky, and the eyelids or eyelids may temporarily stick together. This is especially true after waking up in the morning. Eye-twitching is contagious if you have these symptoms.
Contact lens discomfort or the lens not fitting properly

Identify the cause of eye twitching

It is quite difficult to find out the real reason behind eye-twitching. Although there are various causes of eye swelling, in most cases, the symptoms are almost the same. In some cases, specific symptoms can provide insight into the cause of eye twitching. There are two main reasons responsible for eye twitching:

1. Viral or bacterial infection

Viruses and bacteria usually cause eye infections. Among these, some viruses and bacteria can spread quickly from one person to another. Such infections usually cause highly contagious eye irritation.

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis

In this case, there may be cold or flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms usually appear in one eye at first. The other eye may also be affected within a few days.
The eyes usually discharge a thin fluid or water.

Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis

In this case, pus usually accumulates in the eyes. As a result, the eyelids can become temporarily attached.
It can sometimes occur at the same time as an ear infection.

2. Allergy

In addition to colds and itching due to allergies, problems such as puffy eyes can also occur. However, puffy eyes caused by allergies are not contagious.

Allergic eye symptoms

Symptoms usually occur in both eyes.
The eyes may be very itchy. Symptoms like watery eyes and swelling may also appear.
There may be other symptoms associated with allergies. e.g., itchy nose, sneezing, scratchy throat, allergic rhinitis, eczema, or asthma

3. Other Reasons

Apart from these, the eyes can rise due to other reasons:

Chemicals
Contact lenses
Getting something inside the eye from outside. e.g., droopy eyelids.
Indoor and outdoor air pollutants. For example, smoke, dust, and chemical fumes.
Sexually transmitted infections For example, gonorrhea and chlamydia infections
Fungi, amoeba, and other parasites

The treatment for puffy eyes

A droopy eye usually does not require a doctor’s visit. It resolves on its own within a few weeks without any special treatment. By following some simple home remedies, you can usually relieve the symptoms of puffy eyes. However, it may be necessary to consult a doctor in some cases.

Note that eye-twitching can be very contagious in many cases. So it is very important to take precautions to prevent it from spreading. The next part of the article elaborates on the prevention of eye twitching.

Home remedies for puffy eyes

You can take cold water to the eyes. It can reduce eye swelling and irritation. For this, gently hold a cold flannel cloth over the eyes for a few minutes. It cools the eyes, resulting in relaxation.
Boil, sterilize, and cool water to clean the eyes. Now soak a piece of clean cotton cloth in that water and gently wipe the eyelids. You can easily clean the hardened pus and dirt accumulated in the eyes using this method. In this case, you must use a separate cloth for each eye. So that the germs of one eye do not spread to the other eye. You can also use a cotton pad instead of a piece of cloth.

Avoid using contact lenses inside the eye until it is fully healed. In this case, consult a doctor if necessary.

Eyesight medicine

Various eye drops can treat eye swelling. For example,

Artificial Tears: It helps in reducing dry and itchy eyes. These drops effectively relieve any type of eye irritation. They are available in pharmacies under various names, including Lubgel, Drylife, Aquafresh, and Tearfresh. Read the accompanying instructions carefully before use, and use accordingly.

Antibiotic Drops: Doctors recommend these drops for bacterial eye infections. Antibiotics can help heal the infection quickly, reduce complications, and prevent the eye from spreading.

In the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, the use of antibiotics in the eye is usually recommended in the following areas:

Pus-like fluid accumulates in the eyes.
If the eyes of an individual with a weakened immune system
Assuming an infection with some specific bacteria. For example, gonorrhea and chlamydia

This type of drop is not useful if the eye is inflamed due to any other cause other than bacteria (e.g., viruses and allergies).

In the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, the use of antibiotic drops or an ointment called ‘chloramphenicol’ is often recommended. These apply to children over two years of age and adults. However, it is important to consult a doctor before using this product.

Do not use this medicine on children under two years of age without a doctor’s advice.

Antihistamine drops: Doctors usually recommend these eye drops for eye irritation or excessive itching caused by allergies.

In addition to eye drops and ointments, doctors may sometimes recommend oral medications.

When can I go to school and the office?

You or your child can go to school or work if they are not feeling too sick. However, if there is a fever or other symptoms or there is a possibility of coming into contact with a healthy person through outdoor work, such work should be avoided.

When to seek immediate medical attention

Eyelid problems usually get better with home remedies. If any of the following symptoms occur along with eye swelling, it is important to consult a doctor immediately.

Eye pain
The eyes become sensitive to light. For example, individuals may experience sensitivity to light or sunlight.
Seeing flashes of light in the eyes, blurred vision, or crooked lines
Blurred vision and blurred vision after rubbing the eyes
A rash on the body can cause discomfort and irritation.
Intense redness in one or both eyes
Weak immune system. For example, patients with diabetes or HIV, those undergoing cancer treatment, i.e., chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and those taking steroids.
Bacterial conjunctivitis that does not improve after 24 hours of antibiotics
Worsening or no improvement of eye swelling symptoms over time. Especially if the symptoms are not fully resolved after two weeks.
Symptoms of bulging eyes appear soon after wearing contact lenses. As well as the appearance of any spots on the eyelids. This may be due to an allergic reaction to the lenses.

These can be signs of a serious eye problem. So it is necessary to go to the doctor quickly and without delay. People with weakened immune systems should also consult a doctor for general eye swelling.

Ways to help children develop a broader perspective

A doctor should be consulted if any of the following symptoms occur in children:

Redness of one or both eyes for more than two days
Eye pain or discomfort lasting for more than two days
Experiencing sticky discharge from the eyes or blocked eyes persistently for two weeks or longer
Suffering due to eye symptoms

A newborn under 28 days of age should see a doctor immediately if there are any signs of eye twitching.

The way the eyes spread is fascinating

Knowing how it spreads makes it easier to prevent it. Many types of bacteria and viruses can cause eye inflammation. Some of these bacterial and viral eye infections are highly contagious. The ways in which these germs usually spread to a healthy person are:

From direct contact with an infected person. For example, through touch and handshake
Infected persons spread the virus through the air via sneezes and coughs.
If you stay too close to the affected person,.
Touching anything infected with germs with your hands and touching your eyes without washing those hands. For example, door handles, books, tissues, or eye wipes

Misconception: Looking at a person with a squint means that the eyes of a healthy person are also affected.

Looking into the eyes of an infected person does not infect the eyes of a healthy person. This is a completely unscientific concept. However, some bacterial and viral eye infections are highly contagious. In that case, a healthy person can get infected by touching, sneezing, or being very close to an infected person.

Prevent eye twitching

Eye infections can easily spread from an infected person to a healthy person. However, following some simple steps can prevent eye swelling.

Do whatever

1. Wash hands regularly

Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing is especially important before eating, before and after applying eye drops or ointment, and after cleaning the eyes.

If you don’t have soap, you can clean your hands with hand sanitizer. In this case, choose a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. But do not touch your eyes before the hand sanitizer is completely dry. Otherwise, eye irritation may occur.

In addition, if you touch the things used by the affected person (such as a handkerchief, cloth, or bed sheet) and after applying the medicine to the eyes of the affected person or child, you must wash your hands with soap and warm water.

2. Covering the mouth during sneezing and coughing

Cover your mouth with a tissue or handkerchief when you sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use. If using a handkerchief, wash it with soap or detergent. Then wash your hands with soap and water.

3. Clean the eyes

If any water or pus comes out of the eye, wipe it with a clean, wet cloth or cotton several times a day. Be sure to clean your hands before touching your eyes. After cleaning the eye, dispose of the used cotton. But if you use clothes, wash them with hot water and detergent. Finally, wash your hands again with soap and warm water.

4. Cleaning used clothes

Wash pillow covers, bed sheets, towels, and any face cloths (such as niqabs, handkerchiefs, and masks) regularly with soap or detergent and hot water. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling these, i.e., after work.

5. Keeping glasses and utensils clean

If you need to use glasses, use them cleanly. Use your own glasses, glasses box, or other items (such as towels and handkerchiefs) cleanly and carefully so that others do not use the same items.

6. Keeping contact lenses clean

If the doctor advises you to continue wearing contact lenses, clean and store the lenses according to the advice of the eye doctor. [20] In addition, replace the old lenses with new lenses after the prescribed time.

What not to do

The following should not be done before the eye is fully healed:

Do not touch, itch, or rub the eyes. These actions can worsen the eye condition. Apart from this, the infection can spread from one eye to another.
Never touch your eyes without washing your hands.
Do not use the same eye drop bottle for affected and healthy eyes. Use different drops for affected and healthy eyes to prevent infection in healthy eyes. Otherwise, even healthy eyes can become infected.
Infected individuals should not share their belongings with others. For example: towels, handkerchiefs, pillow covers, eye drops, makeup products and makeup brushes, glasses, contact lenses, and their boxes.
Until the eye has healed, contact lenses should not be used. However, once the condition of the eyes improves, contact lenses can be used again with the doctor’s advice.
Swimming pools cannot be used.

Apart from this, to prevent a recurrence of eye twitching after the eye twitching is cured,

Throw away all makeup items, including makeup brushes used while infected.
Throw away used contact lenses, lens boxes, and solutions when infected.

Frequently Asked Question

Are conjunctivitis symptoms of Corona?

Eye swelling can be a symptom of the Corona virus. This type of problem occurs if the Corona virus infects the eyes. However, other viruses, bacteria, and allergies often cause eye problems.

Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Not all eye drops are contagious. If the eye is infected by some virus or bacteria, it becomes contagious. However, it is not contagious if the eye is raised due to other reasons (eg: allergy).

How long after the eye lift is better?

It usually takes two weeks for a bacterial eye infection to heal completely. Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves within 7–14 days. But in some cases, it may take longer. Also, eye sores caused by sexually transmitted infections may take relatively long to heal.

Can water be given when the eyes are raised?

When the eyes are raised, tears can form in the eyes. In this case, you can wipe your eyes by soaking a clean, soft cloth in boiled and cooled water. It is better not to get too hot or cold water directly into the eyes. After washing eyes and faces, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

What can not be done when the eyes are raised?

Can’t be used by sharing your used items with anyone. For example: towels, washcloths, pillows, eye drops, makeup accessories, glasses, and contact lenses. Apart from this, you should refrain from scratching or rubbing the affected eye with your hands. Or the eye condition may worsen.

Do you have to wear glasses when you raise your eyes?

Wearing glasses is not necessary when the eyes are raised. However, if you already wear glasses, you will need to clean your glasses and glasses case regularly.

You can use sunglasses if you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis. Sunglasses reduce exposure to allergens. Studies have shown that it helps relieve the symptoms of allergic, itchy eyes.

If you normally wear contact lenses, refrain from using them until your eyes are fully healed or consult a doctor.

What can not be eaten when the Conjunctivitis?

Avoid the foods that you are allergic to if your eyes are swollen due to allergies. Aside from that, you can generally eat all kinds of food. Always try to follow a nutritious and balanced diet.

Can you go out when you are Conjunctivitis?

When the eye is raised, there is usually no obstruction to exit. But be careful not to spread the word to others. That’s why it is important to follow the ways to prevent eye twitching seriously.

What is the vaccine for Conjunctivitis?

A vaccine to prevent all types of eye-twitching has not yet been discovered. Vaccination can prevent some viral and bacterial diseases. Vaccination against these diseases can prevent disease caused by the germs of these diseases as well as keep you free from them.

Such vaccines include:

Measles-rubella
Chicken pox and shingles
Pneumonia vaccine (pneumococcal)
Haemophilus influenzae type B

Among these vaccines, except for chicken pox and shingles, the remaining vaccines are given free of charge as per the government EPI schedule after birth. Chicken pox and shingles vaccinations should be purchased individually, as per medical advice, at specific ages. Consult a doctor if you have any questions about this.