From people with signs of inflammation of the mucous membrane, you can often hear that they have a cold in the eye. Contrary to popular belief, this condition is dangerous. If a person believes that he has a cold eye, he needs to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. This is especially true for individuals with severe clinical manifestations. This is due to the fact that often a viral or bacterial infection joins the common cold. In this case, after carrying out diagnostic measures, the doctor draws up the most effective drug treatment regimen.
Pathogenesis
A tear acts as eye protection. This liquid has powerful bactericidal properties and destroys pathogenic microorganisms that have fallen on the mucous membrane. In addition, the tear wets it, preventing friction during blinking. Protective fluid also aids in cleansingeyes from dust and small specks.
During a person's stay in an area with a strong wind, a tear begins to evaporate intensively. Naturally, this is a physiological process, but under such weather conditions it is greatly accelerated. As a result, the mucous membrane begins to rub against the eyelids and dry out, microtraumas appear on it. At this stage, a person understands that he has a cold eye. This is evidenced by pronounced irritation.
Increased evaporation of tears is dangerous because pathogenic microorganisms and dust begin to accumulate in front of the eyes. A natural consequence is the development of the inflammatory process.
How to get cold eyes:
- Stay in the airflow area of a fan or air conditioner for a long time.
- Walking outside in strong winds.
- Be in a drafty room.
- Eat cold meals in large quantities.
- Ride in a car with the windows open or on a motorcycle without a helmet.
- Go outside in windy weather immediately after water treatments.
Thus, the development of the inflammatory process is closely related to weather conditions. That is why, during a visit to the doctor, you can say to the specialist that the wind blew your eyes.
Clinical manifestations
The disease is usually hard to miss. If a person has a cold eye, the symptoms appear quite specific.
Clinical manifestations:
- Hyperemia of both the conjunctiva and eyelids.
- Painfulsensations.
- Itching, burning.
- Excessive tearing.
- Presence of sensation of a foreign object in the eye.
- Isolation of exudate. Pus accumulates on the eyelashes and in the corners of the eyes.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
- Puffiness of tissues.
- The presence of painful seals on the eyelids.
- Swollen lymph nodes near the ears.
- Increased body temperature (in isolated cases).
- Impaired vision.
If a person has a cold eye, it is not at all necessary that all of the above symptoms will appear.
Diagnosis
When the first warning signs appear, you should contact an ophthalmologist. A visit to a specialist should especially not be postponed for people who have a cold eye, fluid flows from it and the eyelids are very swollen.
The doctor can make a diagnosis already during the initial examination. In addition, a specialist is able to determine the presence of a viral or bacterial infection by external signs. In the first case, the lymph nodes do not increase, pus is not released. When a bacterial infection is attached, on the contrary, exudate is always formed. However, it can stand out even from the surface of the eyeball. If the eye is cold, but there is no infection, then pus is not released, and the body temperature does not rise.
In order to identify a pathogenic microorganism, the doctor may prescribe a culture.
Means to eliminate signs of irritation
If a cold is not accompanied by severeclinical manifestations, it is enough to use products whose active ingredients relieve dryness and redness. If the eye is blown out, which drops to buy, the doctor can tell.
As a rule, ophthalmologists prescribe the following remedies:
- "Vizin". The active ingredient of the drug is tetrizoline hydrochloride. Against the background of treatment, the vessels narrow and edema is eliminated. You need to bury your eyes 2-3 times a day.
- Oxial. The active ingredient is boric and hyaluronic acids. Drops have pronounced moisturizing, antipruritic, decongestant and vasoconstrictive properties. Depending on the degree of irritation, you need to apply the product from 1 to 6 times a day.
- "Systane". The composition of the drug is identical to natural tears. Drops not only eliminate irritation in a short time, but also moisturize the mucous membrane.
If side effects occur, it is recommended to stop therapy with the selected drug and consult an ophthalmologist.
Treatment in case of a viral infection
In such a situation, it is necessary not only to stop the symptoms, but also to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. It is important to understand that in this case, the active vital activity of the virus is observed not only on the surface of the eyes, but throughout the body. In this regard, if the eye is cold, how to treat the disease in the event of complications, the doctor should tell, based on the results of bakposev.
If you have a viral infection, your doctor may prescribe:
- Drops,the active component of which is human interferon. This is a specific protein that is synthesized in the body in order to destroy viruses. Examples of drugs: "Ophthalmoferon", "Okoferon", "Aktipol". As a rule, such funds are prescribed if the eyes are affected by entero- or adenoviruses. In the first 3 days of treatment, it is necessary to instill eyes every 4 hours. Then the drug can be used 2-3 times a day until the complete disappearance of clinical manifestations.
- Ointments, the active ingredient of which is designed to combat the herpes virus. In most cases, doctors prescribe Acyclovir. A more expensive analogue is Zovirax. According to the instructions for use, Acyclovir eye ointment can be included in the treatment regimen even for small children. Judging by the medical reviews, the remedy rarely causes side effects. According to the instructions for use, Acyclovir eye ointment must be squeezed onto the finger. The length of the strip with the agent should not exceed 1 cm. Then the drug must be placed behind the conjunctival sac.
It is important to remember that self-medication is unacceptable. Selection of drugs is carried out only on the basis of laboratory diagnostics.
Treatment in case of bacterial infection
In this situation, the use of antibacterial agents is mandatory. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- "Albucid". This is an antimicrobial drug, the active ingredient of which is sodium sulfacyl. Use the toolneeded 4-6 times a day.
- Tetracycline. Today it is the most effective antibacterial agent for the eyes. The instructions for use for tetracycline ointment indicate that it is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. But it is necessary to purchase a product only with an active ingredient content of 1%. According to the instructions for use, tetracycline eye ointment may otherwise be harmful. You can use the drug up to 5 times a day.
- Sofradex. The tool has antipruritic, antibacterial, antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties. Drops contain three active ingredients at once: framycetin sulfate, dexamethasone, gramicidin. Use the drug every 4 hours.
Most often, the same medication is sold in two forms at once (ointment, drops). The difference between them lies in the degree of efficiency. Drops are quickly washed off with a tear, while the ointment remains on the mucous membrane for a long time.
If a child has a cold in the eye
As practice shows, most often the disease develops in children who like to look out of the open window of a moving vehicle. Symptoms in this case appear the same as in adults.
When there are warning signs of a child, it is recommended to show it to an ophthalmologist. When a bacterial flora is detected, doctors most often prescribe "Albucid" and "Tetracycline", with a viral one - "Ophthalmoferon", "Interferon", "Dexamethasone".
It is important to remember thatself-medication is unacceptable. You can only use folk methods before going to the doctor to alleviate the condition of the child.
Homemade ointments
The most effective are the following recipes:
- Take a medium-sized onion and bake it in the oven until soft. Grind with a blender. Add 20 ml of aloe juice and 10 g of honey to the resulting mass. Mix ingredients thoroughly. Use the resulting ointment externally three times a day.
- Take 40 g of butter, 10 g of wax, 20 ml of decoction based on calendula, 10 g of honey. Put all components in one container. Place the saucepan in a water bath. Once the butter and wax are melted, remove the container from the heat. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Cool down. Apply the ointment externally 3-4 times a day.
Before the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Despite the fact that these ointments should be used externally, contact lenses must be removed in advance.
Compresses
If my eye is very cold, what should I do? Folk remedies will help to stop unpleasant symptoms.
Recipes:
- Take 10 cornflower flowers and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them. Let it brew for 1 hour. Strain. Soak a piece of gauze in the resulting liquid and apply the latter to the affected eye.
- Take 10 g of psyllium seeds. Pour 100 ml of boiling water over them. Let it brew for 1 hour. In the resulting liquid, moisten a gauze cloth and apply to the affected eye.
- Take a few chamomile flowers, pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 20 minutes. Use compress fluid.
It is important to remember that any plant is a potential allergen. If signs of an adverse reaction occur, treatment with non-traditional methods should be terminated.
Possible consequences
If you do not start treatment in time, a viral or bacterial infection joins. The active life of pathogenic microorganisms can lead to the development of the following ailments:
- Barley. This term refers to inflammation of the sebaceous duct or ciliary bulb.
- Conjunctivitis. In this case, the mucous membrane of the eyeball is affected.
- Blepharitis. This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids.
- Dacryocystitis. This is an ailment, the course of which is accompanied by inflammation of the lacrimal canal.
Thus, in order to prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Recommendations from experts
To avoid the development of the disease, ophthalmologists advise following the rules:
- Keep out of drafty rooms.
- In windy weather, protect your eyes with sunglasses.
- Be as far away from the air conditioner as possible.
- Do not lower your car windows too low.
- Wear a protective helmet while riding a motorcycle.
- Don't wash your face with too cold water.
- Reduce tominimum consumption of cold foods.
Compliance with these rules will not only protect your eyes from colds, but will also serve as an excellent prevention of SARS.
In closing
If a person has a cold eye, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist. This is due to the fact that the mucous membrane begins to be damaged and cannot protect the visual organ from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. The active life of the latter often leads to such unpleasant diseases as blepharitis, barley, conjunctivitis, and so on. In order to make you feel better before going to the doctor, it is permissible to use folk methods.
