You have probably had an eye infection at some point in your life; they are not uncommon during cold and flu season. These infections are caused by the invasion of bacteria, fungi, and viruses to all the parts of the eyeball or surrounding areas. It’s a miserable situation any time it happens! Here are some of the symptoms you might experience:
- Red eyes.
- Watery eyes.
- Discharge.
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Light sensitivity.
- Itching.
None of these issues are any fun at all! The very first step you should take when dealing with an eye infection should be to make an appointment to see your eye doctor. An eye exam done by a professional will be able to get to the root of the problem right away while trying to self-diagnose and treat your issue could actually harm your vision.
If you wear contacts, another smart step to take will be to switch to wearing your eyeglasses until you have attended your appointment. Proper contact lens care needs to be followed at all times. If a problem develops it will only get worse if you continue to wear them. Contacts bring with them an increased risk of fungal and bacterial eye infections in general, so as a wearer you will want to always maintain good hygiene and care for your lenses properly, according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Cosmetic usage should be discontinued until your eye appointment, as well. This would be a good time to go through your products and discard any that are older. If they are emitting an odd odor or unusual color, that is a good sign that they are not going to be healthy for your face and eyes.
Most common bacterial eye infections clear up easily with prompt treatment such as prescription antibiotic eye drops or compresses and antibiotic ointments, while some viral eye infections will require administration of steroid eye drops that will reduce the inflammation.
If your eyes are red, swollen, or itching, make sure that you and those around you wash their hands and avoid close contact. Anti-infective sprays and cleaning agents in public areas such as your workplace or places where children spend time will greatly reduce the spread of infections. Keep bedding and towels clean, and no sharing!
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