In most cases, barley, which is an inflammatory process, is provoked by infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a conditionally pathogenic microflora present in the human body, however, under certain circumstances, such an infection can provoke the appearance of a number of diseases, including barley. Many people faced this ailment in childhood. However, it is possible that the signs of barley can occur in adulthood. But if in children this disease should not always be treated, then the presence of barley in an adult can signal some disorders in the immune system.
general description
Barley is a purulent inflammation of the eyelid that occurs due to infection in the hair follicle. This infection is called Staphylococcus aureus. As a result of the vital activity of these microorganisms, the sebaceous glands, which produce a protective secret from such diseases, become clogged, due to which the affected area is inflated, and a small seed is also formed. The main amount of purulent contents accumulates in this zone, although there are quite often cases when in one eyelid a person develops several such inflamed foci at once.
It is important to note that this may be just the first sign of barley and the onset of the disease. In some cases, with the formation of barley, symptoms spread to both eyes. Despite the fact that this disease is not contagious to others, in one patient this infection can easily pass from one eye to another. Therefore, you should never ignore the signs of barley.
The disease spreads unnoticed. Considering the signs of barley, it should be noted that initially the eyelid becomes a little red, accompanied by mild itching. In some cases, at the initial stage of the development of the disease, symptoms may be limited to this. But such an outcome is extremely rare among patients.
Symptoms and first signs of barley in the eye
The development of this disease occurs very quickly. In this case, barley consists of several stages, for which certain symptoms are characteristic:
The first signs of barley at the initial stage of development are that the patient begins to itch and blush the eyelid. After a few hours in this area, a person can feel a tangible, but at the same time painless burning sensation.
In the second stage, signs of the appearance of barley are accompanied by tearing. This symptom brings severe discomfort to the patient. It is also worth noting that the signs of barley in the eye at the initial stage not only do not pass, but also begin to intensify. The eyelid begins to become very inflamed, and the skin on it is smoothed, which indicates the onset of swelling of the affected area. As a rule, this stage in the patient lasts for two weeks.
On the third or fourth day, the patient noticeably swells the inflamed area, while there is a small bag with purulent contents, which is commonly called barley. A few days later, a purulent neoplasm can dissolve or burst, but in no case can it be opened independently. Depending on the amount of purulent contents, as well as on the severity of the course of the disease, the ripening period of barley before opening it can be completely different.
But sometimes there are situations when the patient can not wait until the purulent neoplasm resolves on its own. Although the signs of barley in the initial stages do not cause severe inconvenience or pain, it is still recommended to consult a doctor. This is especially important in cases where the patient has a business meeting and the abscess spoils the whole view. In such situations, if signs of barley are found in the initial stages, it is necessary to contact a medical institution to treat the neoplasm with antiseptic agents. This is done so that the infection does not spread further.
As mentioned earlier, the first signs of barley on the eye do not cause the patient any discomfort, however, in some situations, surgical intervention is required to remove the neoplasm. First of all, this applies to those cases when several heads containing infiltrate are formed in one purulent sac at once. Indirect symptoms of this situation are as follows:
- Persistent headaches.
- Fever.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
As a rule, the signs of barley in the eye, the photo of which is in this article, completely disappear in an adult in the period from 5 to 10 days after their manifestation.
Causes of barley
In addition to the fact that the formation of barley provokes Staphylococcus aureus, there are also other reasons for the development of this disease. The main one is a violation of the rules of personal and general hygiene.
With frequent contact of hands with a face, various infections can get into the eye. This can also happen if you wipe your face with a dirty cloth. And in some cases, infection occurs if a person is wiped with someone else's towel. Other causes of the onset and development of the disease are as follows:
- Weakened immune system. As a rule, a weakened immune system can be seasonal or associated with the presence of certain diseases in the patient. In addition, immunity is often reduced due to a recent cold, resulting in a significantly increased risk of developing barley in the eye.
- Hypothermia of the body. Due to such a violation in the human body, all defense systems begin to mobilize, which are pretty quickly depleted. In parallel with this, other vital processes begin to slow down, which in the usual mode prevent the formation of staphylococci into pathogenic microorganisms.
- Avitaminosis. With an acute lack of vitamins in the body, disruptions in the production of substances necessary for the immune system occur.
- Sometimes diseases like demodicosis and blepharitis can easily trigger the development of barley in the eye. With blepharitis, the edge of the eyelids becomes very vulnerable, as a result of which staphylococcus penetrates. With demodicosis, the disease can acquire microscopic mites that live in the patient’s eye sockets.
It is important to note that among adults, nerve congestion and stress are also causes of barley.
The frequent appearance of barley
In some people, such an unpleasant disease manifests itself very often. This can be explained by certain factors, which are as follows:
- Human hereditary predisposition. Regardless of the body’s immune system, which reflects external attacks, protection still cannot cope with the diseases that people have in their genes.
- A frequent manifestation of the disease can indicate serious violations in the immune system, while in this case we are not talking about seasonal vitamin deficiency, but diseases that can only be diagnosed by an endocrinologist. People suffering from diabetes, as well as serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, can suffer from barley several times a year.
- If a person is constantly working in a room where there is insufficient sunlight and fresh air, then he can often form barley in front of his eyes. This is due to the fact that under such conditions the production of vitamins A, B and C is disrupted in the human body. As a result, the immune system is reduced, and barley is formed.
Treatment methods
What to do at the first sign of barley in the eye? The treatment of this disease can be carried out by several methods:
- Drug therapy, which includes the use of antibacterial agents, as well as stimulating the early maturation of barley.
- Surgical treatment.
- Maintenance therapy
Speaking about what to do at the first sign of barley, it should be noted that in no case should the neoplasm be squeezed out. The patient must wait for the barley to fully ripen, after which he will unauthorizedly open, and the purulent contents will come out.
Drug treatment
When barley matures, the inflamed area must be treated with special antiseptics. It is best to use ethyl alcohol, an alcoholic solution of brilliant green, tincture of calendula. At this stage of the development of the disease, you can also wait for the autopsy of the neoplasm or accelerate the maturation of barley. In order for barley to heal sooner, special medications are used after opening it.
Ripening acceleration
To accelerate the maturation of barley, you should do some procedures, which are as follows:
- Apply a warm compress to the inflamed area. In this case, you must ensure that during cooling it is not on the eye, otherwise there is a risk of colds of the optic nerve, as a result of which serious complications will arise.
- A specialist for these purposes can use such therapy, which is based on the use of high-frequency electromagnetic fields.
- It is recommended that you use a Biokon or blue lamp on your own at home, but their use is allowed only if the person does not have a high body temperature.
Antibacterial treatment
To destroy the infection at the site of the formation of the inflammatory process and after opening the abscess, specialists use special ointments and drops, which are based on antibiotics. First of all, this is due to the fact that Staphylococcus aureus belongs to bacterial infections.
Effective drops from barley are: "Levomycetin", "Phloxal", "Tsipromed".
As ointments, it is best to use tetracycline, hydrocortisone, as well as Phloxal ointment.
Before using antibacterial agents, it is mandatory to read the instructions for use.
Maintenance therapy
The effectiveness of the treatment of this disease can be increased if you strengthen your immune system. Vitamin C is considered to be an excellent stimulant of immunity, which is found in large quantities in rosehips, sorrel, cranberries, raspberries, lemon, currants, as well as other berries and fruits. In parallel with this, you can additionally take vitamin complexes.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment is used only in cases where the disease occurs for a long time, and when the abscess does not open itself. Surgery is also required in cases where an enlarged seal presses on the eyeball.
This operation implies a puncture of an abscess with a needle. You can also make a small incision, after which drainage is established in the inflamed area.
As for the consequences of surgery, they are usually invisible, and self-medication by this method is carried out without any complications.
Folk methods
You can also get rid of barley on your own at home with the help of traditional medicine recipes. However, before using unconventional methods, it is best to consult your doctor to avoid possible complications.
To quickly mature and open the abscess yourself, you can use warm, but not hot, compresses. They must be applied on the eye for 5-10 minutes. Such procedures should be done several times a day.
Pharmacy chamomile is also effective in the fight against barley. To do this, it is necessary to pour one tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water, cover the container, put in for a day, and then strain. After that, a cotton swab is moistened in the resulting product, applied in the form of lotions for 15 minutes to the affected area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that in order to avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not touch your face with dirty hands. Also, experts recommend consuming foods enriched with trace elements and vitamins as much as possible.