The body of a woman expecting a baby becomes vulnerable to many infections due to the reduced immunity status during this period. Many pathogens that attack the human body every second and are destroyed in the normal state, become dangerous during pregnancy. And eyelid barley is no exception. About what are the features of the course and treatment of this inflammation during pregnancy, this article will tell. And also about whether barley is dangerous during pregnancy for the development of the fetus and during breastfeeding.
What is century barley
To begin with, let’s explain: barley as an inflammatory disease develops in the cilium hair bulb. Thus, talking about barley eyes is not entirely true, but just such a designation is more common for ordinary people. The medical name of the pathology is gordeolum, which means the inflammatory process that develops in the hair follicle of the eyelashes, Zeiss sebaceous glands (external barley) and meibomian glands (internal barley).
The main source of infection is Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (95%), which is constantly present on our skin integuments. With a decrease in immunity status, this bacterium enters the hair bag of the cilia and begins to actively multiply there with spread to the concomitant glands. An active inflammatory process begins at the breeding sites of bacteria - living cells die, and macrophages of blood that have arrived to fight the pathogen, form solid purulent seals 2-4 days after infection.
Further, the barley matures, the infection is defeated, and the pus comes out. This occurs within a week and usually, except for itching, redness and discomfort, does not bring a person serious problems.
Unusual current
Both normal and during pregnancy, barley in the eye with severe infection can cause an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C and signs of general intoxication of the body (nausea, weakness).
In addition, sometimes the pressure of purulent masses is not enough to break out, and the barley dissolves on its own, no longer bringing trouble to a person.
But it also happens that in the hair bulb the inflammation passes, and the barley does not dissolve on its own. Then it turns into a halazion ("cold" barley). This is an internal sluggish inflammation that often requires surgical removal.
Risk factors
There are two reasons for the development of pathology - infection and a decrease in immunity. Pathogenic organisms in the development of barley on the eye during pregnancy are various strains of staphylococci (mainly Staphylococcus aureus) or skin mites (demodex). All these organisms are classified as potentially pathogenic, since they are present in our skin and do not always lead to inflammatory processes.
The development of inflammation is accompanied by a decrease in the body's immunity and excessive reproduction of the bacterial flora. During pregnancy, hormonal restructuring of all systems of a woman occurs, which automatically reduces the immune status. In addition, stresses, hypovitaminosis, chronic diseases and inflammatory processes (furunculosis and blepharitis) can lead to a decrease in the protective properties of the body.
But more often, the infection enters the hair follicle in violation of personal hygiene rules. That is why barley is more common in women, because it is they who more often touch their eyes with daily makeup.
Barley during pregnancy can appear in any trimester, and after the birth of a baby during his breastfeeding. Indeed, it is during these periods that the mother’s body is determined to give all its resources to the baby, while forgetting about itself.
Main symptoms
Most of us are familiar with inflammation, swelling, redness of the eyelid and the formation of seals on it with purulent contents.
Concomitant symptoms - itching and pain at the site of infection, tearing, sensations of a foreign body in the eye, sometimes extensive swelling.
Barley ripening during pregnancy is no different from its usual acute course. A few days of pain bring obvious relief and breakthrough of barley. It is categorically impossible to assist this process. With the external location of barley, pus spreads over the eyelid and can provoke a new infection. With internal barley, pus spills on the mucous membranes of the eyes and can cause various kinds of abscesses.
Establishing diagnosis
We ourselves quite easily determine the development of such inflammation. But if barley on the eye during pregnancy appears quite often or has a severe course, the expectant mother should contact an ophthalmologist.
Diagnosis is by visual inspection. Next, the doctor will prescribe a treatment that includes:
- Antibacterial drugs.
- Stimulation of the rapid maturation of barley.
- Maintenance therapy.
- If necessary, surgical intervention.
However, in the treatment of barley during pregnancy, there are nuances that are associated with the limitation of medication.
Is there a danger to the fetus?
Barley during pregnancy in mothers with a normal course and adequate treatment is completely safe for the development of the fetus. Bacteria do not penetrate the mother’s blood and do not penetrate the placental barrier.
A complication may be the complicated course of barley during pregnancy, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature. This can provoke an increased tone of the uterus, which is especially dangerous in the third trimester and can cause premature birth. Barley with fever in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause a miscarriage. The temperature is certainly necessary to reduce the drugs allowed during pregnancy. And in this case, barley during pregnancy must be treated.
When breastfeeding, mom should not worry either. But paying increased attention to personal hygiene is becoming extremely important.
How to treat barley during pregnancy
During pregnancy, aggressive drugs are not used, therefore, it is easier to prevent the development of barley in the eye than to treat it later.
If barley does appear on the eye during pregnancy, treatment should begin with a very careful cauterization of it with green. If the process proceeds without complications, then it is enough to continue accurate cauterization, not to use cosmetics and apply drops of “Tsipromed” or “Levomycetin”.
If the process progresses, then the use of local antibiotics is prescribed - erythromycin ointment or drops of "Phloxal". They do not enter the bloodstream and do not pose a danger to the development of the fetus, but they will stop the growth and development of bacteria in the focus of inflammation.
Good recommendations for the treatment of this type of inflammation has a broad-spectrum antibiotic, Ofloxacin. The active substance of drops and ointments blocks the self-reproduction of staphylococcus DNA molecules, which leads to their death.
In severe forms of the course of inflammation, the use of systemic antibacterial drugs is required, the appointment of which should only be done by a doctor, or surgical intervention.
What traditional medicine says
In the recipes of traditional medicine there are many recommendations for the treatment of barley of the eyelid. Here are only the most common:
- A freshly boiled egg wrapped in tissue is attached to the sore eye. But dry heating is effective only in the initial stages of inflammation.
- The same procedure is carried out with the onion head, previously baked.
- The tannins contained in tea are actively used when washing the eyes with strong brewing of only black varieties of tea.
- Lotions on herbal solutions of sage, chamomile and calendula have a good antibacterial effect.
Lotions and rinses should be warm, but not hot. If relief does not come within 2 days, you should consult a doctor.
Complicated course
As already mentioned, with a weakening of the immune status, the course of inflammation can even lead to inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). That is why, if barley does not pass within a week or repeated inflammation appears, you can not postpone a visit to the doctor.
The transition of barley to the stage of halazion with periodic inflammation is fraught with surgical intervention.
And if you promote the release of pus, then you can not only deform the eyelid and change the direction of eyelash growth, but also provoke repeated and multiple inflammations.
It is important to maintain immunity. As part of the maintenance therapy, both medicines and traditional medicine methods are used. To stimulate the immune system, vitamin C is an important component. It can be taken in tablets, or from natural products. It is found a lot in gooseberries, kiwi, lemons, raspberries and currants, a rosehip broth.
To maintain immunity, it is important to walk in the fresh air, perform moderate physical activity and lead a healthy lifestyle. All this is quite feasible for women in an interesting position.
Inflammation Prevention
The occurrence of barley is easier to prevent. To do this, it is enough to follow very simple rules, namely:
- If contact lenses are worn, provide proper care.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle and eat balanced.
- Prevent the development of inflammatory processes in the body (for example, caries).
- Observe personal hygiene and try not to touch the eyelids.
- Use only your makeup and towel.