Inflammation on the eyelid: why heating barley and burning it with vodka is extremely dangerous

Inflammation on the eyelid (barley) occurs more often in winter than at other times of the year. The reason is the cold wind, the weakening of the immune system by seasonal infections. The disease affects both adults and children. What infection provokes it?  

– Barley (medical name – gordeolum) is an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelash or the sebaceous gland at the edge of the eyelid, – says Zhanna Prykhodko, a dermatocosmetologist. — The inflammatory process is provoked by an infection, for example, staphylococcal, which can get into a microtrauma on the eyelid from dirty hands, facial skin, and its activation is facilitated by hypothermia. 

The first sign that barley is ripening is the edge of the eyelid becoming red and swollen. In a few days, a head with pus appears in the center of the gordeolum. The affected eye hurts a lot. So it is worth starting the treatment of barley as early as possible. 

– What is the best way to do it? 

– As soon as you notice redness on the eyelid, wrap a cotton ball soaked in a solution of chlorhexidine (this is an antiseptic substance that is sold without a prescription in every pharmacy) on a match and very carefully touch the inflamed area. You can’t “burn” barley with alcohol or vodka, this can cause a burn. Among the methods of emergency prevention are barely warm lotions made from strong tea, water infusion of chamomile or calendula. They provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. 

— Is it possible to heat barley with a hot boiled egg (there is such a popular “grandmother’s recipe”)?

– Oh, I do not advise. This can only worsen the condition, because high temperature increases the development of the infectious process. You should not squeeze the pus from the barley: the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues. At the first opportunity, show the eye to the doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe antibacterial drops, ointments, but first of all he will determine the origin of the barley. This is very important, because redness on the eyelid is caused by demodex (a microscopic facial mite) and blockage and swelling of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid. 

— What are the methods of barley prevention? 

— First of all, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene. Do not rub your eyes with your fingers. And for some people it has become a habit. It is also important to use individual towels, cosmetics, and be sure to wash off mascara at night. In girls who do not do this, eyelashes fall out more often and injure the soft and vulnerable skin of the eyelid.  

Before going to bed and in the morning, you need to gently wash your eyelids – preferably with boiled water at room temperature, infusion of black tea, chamomile, which do not overdry the skin, which makes it less sensitive to injuries. And if barley often recurs — forms again and again, you need to check the blood sugar level, the state of the thyroid gland. Because, let’s say, with endocrine pathologies, the tendency to infectious inflammation is very high. 

And more. For the health of the eyelids, as well as the eyes in general, a sufficient amount of vitamins in the diet, especially C, E and carotene, is necessary. They are rich in apples, carrots, pumpkin, and oils.