Barley eye disease (hordeolum) is a purulent inflammation that occurs on the mucous membrane of the eyelid. In most cases, barley develops due to the ingress of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus into the duct of the sebaceous gland. Therefore, it is very important to identify the causes in time and take the necessary measures to avoid relapses. How long does barley on the eye last ? Usually no more than a week.
Causes of Barley
- Weakened immunity, vitamin deficiency.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene rules, contact with foreign objects, dust, dirt.
- Diseases of the endocrine system, disruption of the digestive tract, furunculosis.
- Hypothermia, stressful situations.
Severe symptoms
The initial stage of barley on the eye makes itself felt with local reddening of the eyelid, burning, pain. This can be a small tumor both on the lower eyelid and on the upper, accompanied by swelling, inflammation. When you click on it, pain appears. The shell of the eye itself may also be red; the lymph nodes increase. In addition, intoxication of the body can be observed, which manifests itself in the form of a headache and fever.
Over time, an abscess arises at the site of the edema, which in the future can either dissolve on its own or break through (like a boil) and clear. How long does barley on the eye last? On average, you will have to wait 3-4 days - usually during this time the barley passes, although in some cases it can bother a week or a little more.
In what cases should I see a doctor
Very often, barley is not perceived as a serious disease, and people prefer not to go to the doctor using medication or folk remedies on their own. However, in some cases, do not neglect a visit to a specialist, in particular:
- if the temperature rises against the background of barley, the head hurts;
- a tumor prevents the eye from seeing normally;
- relapses of barley appear;
- the disease lasts longer than 4-5 days.
How long does barley on the eye last? As mentioned above - no more than 3-5 days, if after this time the tumor does not pass, then this is probably a relapse. In addition, even if you are ready to suffer a week without going to the doctor, then consulting a specialist will still not be superfluous. It is necessary not only to relieve pain, but also to understand what triggered the occurrence of barley in order to avoid further relapses.
If a child is sick
Quite often, children complain of barley. An eye hurts, redness and even a swelling appear - all this is more difficult for a child to tolerate than an adult. Moreover, in babies this disease can develop immediately in both eyes. At first, a swelling sometimes appears in the region of the edge of the eyelid, then the entire eye also swells. If you do not take action, then the eye may completely stop opening. In addition, children often have a headache, the eyelid may twitch.
With a favorable course of the disease, an abscess breaks in already on the 4th day, and the child's well-being gradually improves. However, it is strictly forbidden to open the barley on your own, as this can cause an infection and provoke, for example, purulent meningitis or an abscess of the eyelid.
It is very important to carefully monitor that the child does not rub his eyes when pus comes out, as this can lead to further spread of the infection and relapse. Do not forget about personal hygiene, clean linens and towels.
Treatment of barley in the eye with medicines. What is recommended to apply?
Already at the first signs of the occurrence of this disease, measures should be taken. In particular, for external treatment of the eyelid, you can use iodine, brilliant green, tincture of calendula, ethyl alcohol, applying them with cotton buds to the affected area 4-5 times a day.
It is also recommended to use:
- anti-inflammatory eye ointments, for example, hydrocortisone, tetracycline, Erythromycin;
- antibacterial drops, such as Levomycetin, Tsipromed, Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin.
Treatment of barley in the eye with medications should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor to avoid undesirable complications.
Antibiotic use
In some cases, conjunctivitis develops in parallel with barley - bacterial inflammation of the eye mucosa, which requires antibiotic treatment. It is advisable to pre-test for bacterial culture from the eye in order to choose the best medicine. However, if this is not possible, then antibiotics are used that have a wide spectrum of action, for example, Tobrex and Albucid medicines.
But it should be remembered that it is forbidden to “prescribe” such medications for oneself on their own, since such “initiative” can lead to a fungal infection.
As mentioned above, it is forbidden in any way to try to pierce or squeeze barley on your own, as this can lead to dire consequences, including sepsis.
A common mistake of the fair sex is to try to “hide” barley with a layer of makeup. As a result, camouflage is unlikely to be successful, and it is very easy to introduce an additional infection.
Prevention
Compliance with the basic rules of personal hygiene and careful care of the eye area - this is often enough to prevent the occurrence of barley. However, with constant relapses, a full examination of the body should be carried out, a multivitamin course should be taken, and immunity strengthened. In particular, if worms and chronic diseases are found, then only comprehensive recovery of the body and proper metabolism will help get rid of barley completely.
It is a timely appeal to a specialist, and not the use of numerous folk remedies (periodically quite effective) that will help not only to quickly get rid of unpleasant painful sensations, but also to prevent possible complications. How long does barley on the eye last? As mentioned above - no more than a week. However, it is wiser not to wait until the barley passes by itself, but to consult a doctor. A specialist will not only help get rid of inflammation in a short time, but also prevent possible complications and relapses.