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 have experienced this disease in childhood. However, it is possible that signs of barley may also appear 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 that produce a protective secret from such diseases are clogged, which causes the affectedarea, and a small grain is also formed. In this zone, the main amount of purulent contents accumulates, although quite often there are cases when several such inflamed foci form on one eyelid.
It is important to note that this may only be the first sign of barley and the onset of the disease. In some cases, with the formation of barley, the symptoms extend 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 a slight itch. In some cases, at the initial stage of the development of the disease, the symptoms may be limited to this. But this outcome is extremely rare among patients.
Symptoms and first signs of barley on the eye
The development of this disease is very fast. Barley at the same time consists of several stages, which are characterized by certain symptoms:
The first signs of barley at the initial stage of development are that the patient begins to itch and redden the eyelid. After a few hours in this area, a person may feel a palpable, but not painful burning sensation.
At the second stage, the signs of the appearance of barley are accompanied by tearing. This symptom brings severe discomfort to the patient. Also worthIt should be noted that the signs of barley on the eye at the initial stage not only do not disappear, but also begin to intensify. The eyelid begins to become very inflamed, and the skin on it is smoothed, which indicates the beginning of swelling of the affected area. As a rule, this stage lasts for a patient for two weeks.
On the third or fourth day, the patient noticeably swells the inflamed area, while there is a small sac with purulent contents, which is commonly called barley. After a few more days, the purulent neoplasm may dissolve or burst, but in no case should it be opened on its own. Depending on the amount of purulent contents, as well as on the severity of the course of the disease, the period of barley ripening before its opening can be completely different.
But sometimes there are situations when the patient cannot 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 look. In such situations, if signs of barley are found in the initial stages, it is necessary to contact a medical institution so that the neoplasm is treated with antiseptic agents. This is to prevent the infection from spreading further.
As mentioned earlier, the first signs of barley on the eye do not cause any discomfort to the patient, however, in somesituations require surgical intervention 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.
- Increased body temperature.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
As a rule, completely signs of barley on the eye, the photo of which is in this article, 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 the violation of the rules of personal and general hygiene.
With frequent contact of hands with the face, various infections can get into the eye. This can also happen if the face is wiped with a dirty cloth. And in some cases, infection occurs if a person wipes himself with someone else's towel. Other causes of the appearance and development of the disease are as follows:
- Weakened immune system. As a rule, weakening of the immune system may 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 styes on the eye.
- Hypocooling of the body. Due to such a violation in the human body, they begin to mobilizeall defense systems that deplete fairly quickly. In parallel with this, other vital processes begin to slow down, which in the usual way prevent the formation of staphylococci into pathogenic microorganisms.
- Avitaminosis. With an acute shortage of vitamins in the body, failures occur in the production of substances necessary for the immune system.
- Sometimes diseases such as demodicosis and blepharitis can easily provoke the development of barley on the eye. With blepharitis, the edge of the eyelids becomes very vulnerable, as a result of which staphylococcus aureus penetrates there. With demodicosis, the disease can acquire microscopic mites that live in the patient's eye sockets.
It is important to note that among adults, nervous overload and stress are also causes of stye.
Frequent occurrence of barley
In some people, such an unpleasant disease manifests itself very often. This can be explained by certain factors, which are as follows:
- Hereditary predisposition of a person. Regardless of the body's immune system, which repels external attacks, the defense still cannot cope with the diseases that people have in their genes.
- Frequent manifestation of the disease can indicate serious disorders in the immune system, and in this case we are not talking about seasonal beriberi, but diseases that can only be diagnosed by an endocrinologist. People suffering from diabetes, as well as from serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, can get sick with barley several times a year.
- Ifa person constantly works in a room where there is an insufficient amount of sunlight and fresh air, then barley can often form in front of his eyes. This is due to the fact that under such conditions, the production of vitamins of groups A, B and C is disrupted in the human body. As a result, the immune system decreases, barley is formed.
Treatment methods
What to do at the first sign of barley on the eye? Treatment of this disease can be carried out in several ways:
- Drug therapy, which includes the use of antibacterial agents, as well as stimulating the early ripening of barley.
- Surgical treatment.
- Supportive care.
Speaking of 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 full maturation of the barley, after which it will arbitrarily open, and the purulent contents will come out.
Medication treatment
When barley ripens, the inflamed area must be treated with special antiseptics. It is best to use ethyl alcohol, an alcohol solution of brilliant green, calendula tincture for this. At this stage of the development of the disease, it is also possible to wait for the unauthorized opening of the neoplasm or to accelerate the ripening of barley. To make the barley heal faster, special medications are used after opening it.
Accelerationripening
To accelerate the ripening of barley, some procedures should be done, which are as follows:
- Apply a warm compress to the inflamed area. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that during cooling it is not on the eye, otherwise there is a risk of a cold of the optic nerve, resulting in serious complications.
- A specialist for these purposes can use such therapy, which is based on the use of high-frequency electromagnetic fields.
- It is recommended to use a Biocon or blue lamp on your own at home, but their use is only allowed 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 that are based on antibiotics. First of all, this is due to the fact that Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterial infection.
Effective drops from barley are: Levomycetin, Floksal, Tsipromed.
As ointments, it is best to use tetracycline, hydrocortisone, and Floxal ointment.
Before using antibacterial agents, it is imperative to read the instructions for use.
Maintenance care
The effectiveness of the treatment of this disease can be increased ifstrengthen your immune system. Vitamin C is considered an excellent immune stimulant, which is found in large quantities in rose hips, sorrel, cranberries, raspberries, lemons, currants, as well as other berries and fruits. In parallel with this, you can additionally take vitamin complexes.
Surgery
Surgical treatment is used only in cases where the disease proceeds for a long time, and when the abscess does not open on its own. Also, surgery is required in cases where the enlarged seal presses on the eyeball.
This operation implies a puncture of the abscess with a needle. You can also make a small incision, after which a drain is installed in the inflamed area.
As for the consequences of surgery, they are usually invisible, and self-treatment with this method is carried out without any complications.
Folk methods
You can also get rid of barley on your own at home using traditional medicine recipes. However, before using non-traditional methods, it is best to consult with your doctor to avoid possible complications.
To make the abscess mature and open faster on its own, you can use warm, but not hot, compresses. They should be applied to the eye for 5-10 minutes. Such procedures should be done several times a day.
Chamomile is also effective in the fight against barley. For thisit is necessary to pour one tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water, cover the container, put for a day, 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. Experts also recommend eating foods enriched with trace elements and vitamins as much as possible.
