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Barley is a cystic eyelid infection that occurs when you least expect it in the form of an abscess. It is caused by a staphylococcal infection on the edges of the eyelids, as well as in the ciliary and thyroid glands. If left untreated, recurrent, it may lead to the formation of a chalazion. There are two types of barley: external and internal.
Barley on the eye is a lumpy abscess in the shape of a grain of grain. It is usually located at the lash line on the outer surface of the eyelid, but inner barley can also be found. The barley on the eye is initially red in color and turns yellow or pink over time. An abscess occurs in both men and women of all ages – some are more prone to recurring symptoms.
The presence of barley on the eye does not pose a health risk as long as the condition is treated. Usually it can be removed by home remedies, but in some cases antibiotic treatment will be necessary. Barley heals on its own – after a few days it pierces the skin and begins to be absorbed. On the eye, it lasts from 7 to 10 days.
At first, redness appears at the edge of the eyelid, which slightly hurts and itches. Then the redness begins to grow and transforms into a pus-filled pustule. It doesn’t look very attractive. So let’s get rid of the problem, because untreated barley can turn into a chalazion.
Barley on the eye – causes
Barley is an abscess caused by bacteria that enter the mucosa, e.g. by rubbing the eyelid with dirty hands. Also, being in the fumes of cigarette smoke and chemicals increases the risk of the appearance of barley.
Other factors influencing the formation of barley:
- ill-fitting make-up removal cosmetics or careless makeup removal,
- careless makeup removal,
- older age,
- people with light complexion,
- wearing contact lenses,
- people with eye allergies or poorly corrected vision defect,
- seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea.
Barley may also be favored by reduced immunity as a result of diseases or prolonged stress. Barley can be a sign of untreated diabetes in some cases.
Barley symptoms on the eye
Barley is a small lump with a distinct yellow tip. A few days after its appearance – it bursts spontaneously and partially cleans. The remnants of pus should be carefully squeezed out by gently lifting the eyelid by the eyelashes. You should also remove the scabs that may have formed around the barley with a soaked cotton pad. People who develop barley may develop:
- swelling of the eyelid
- tearing
- eyelid edge pain,
- pink,
- increased sensitivity to light.
If the symptoms of barley are extremely bothersome, it may be necessary to visit an ophthalmologist. You can arrange it online today through the halodoctor.pl portal in a form convenient for you.
Barley on the eye – types
Barley on the eye can take two different forms:
- external: caused by staphylococcal inflammation of the Zeiss or Moll glands. Affects the outer eyelid, it appears as a red and painful spot that begins to swell and form a pink or yellow tip. The barley matures on the eyelid for a few days, then it spontaneously cracks and dries up;
- internal: caused by inflammation of the thyroid glands (meibomian gland), usually more painful and not as visible as external barley. Internal barley can be noticed when you raise the eyelid, which has a yellow lump, which, in turn, does not break, but slowly disappears on its own within a few days.
Barley on the eye and inappropriate makeup removal
We can treat barley on the eye ourselves with inappropriate make-up removal. In case of inaccurate removal of excess cosmetic, the opening of the sebaceous gland may become clogged and, consequently, become inflamed. Many make-up removers can cause allergies, so try a baby shampoo diluted with water. It is gentle, does not burn or irritate the eyes, but it perfectly removes the grease that naturally accumulates between the eyelashes.
See what they can be causes of swollen eyelids
Barley on the eye – treatment
Barley on the eye should not be squeezed, although it may seem like it is enough to pierce its yellow tip. The abscess, when it matures, will rupture by itself – then fluid will flow out of it and a wound will form, which will heal after a few days. Skin regeneration can be accelerated by applying ointments or compresses to the affected area. When barley frequently recurs, consult an ophthalmologist – it is a common condition among children.
- Rubbing with a gold wedding ring on barley
Rubbing an abscess with a gold ring is one of the most popular home treatments. However, this method, although also recommended by many doctors, has its staunch opponents. The latter claim that many bacteria, e.g. staphylococci, are produced in the environment between the skin and the ring. Therefore, rubbing barley with jewelry is even dangerous and causes even more bacteria to get under the eyelid, which can worsen the inflammation.
Nevertheless, rubbing the barley on the eye with a gold ring is effective, although this is not due to the properties of gold, but to the massage itself – when rubbing, the blood begins to flow faster and the glands are unblocked. So that rubbing the eye does not end up with another infection, disinfect the ring beforehand, e.g. with soap and water. The barley should be massaged gently.
- Wrap from a warm egg for barley
To prepare the wrap, you will need a hard-boiled egg, which not only keeps the heat longer, but also has a shape that fits the eye. Wrap the egg in the handkerchief and start massaging the sick area with it. The poultice can also be made of egg white, previously separated from the yolk – soak in gauze and put it to the eye for 15-20 minutes. Use the treatment at least 3 times a day until the symptoms subside.
- Wrap of green tea or herbal barley
For the preparation of the compress, you can use both green and black tea, as well as chamomile, parsley leaves, raspberry leaves or calendula flowers. Each of the products has antibacterial properties. To prepare a tea wrap, you need a strong essence in which you soak, for example, a cotton ball and put it on the barley on the eye. Keep the green tea compress overnight. Use compresses with teas and herbs several times a day. At Medonet Market you can buy Tea recommended for allergies, which consists of herbs that soothe and support the treatment of barley.
In the treatment of barley on the eye, drinking dandelion infusion is also helpful. To prepare the drink, put a teaspoon of herbs and steep them, covered, for about 5 minutes. Dandelion is effective in helping to reduce the amount of purulent bacteria that cause the formation of barley on the eye. In addition, remember to take care of eyelid margin hygiene in the morning and evening, and remember to remove makeup in the evening and wash your eyelids in the morning.
First of all, you should take care of proper eye hygiene – do not rub them with dirty hands and regularly clean the area around them with tissues dipped in chamomile or tea decoction. For this purpose, you can also use saline. Also try the Firefly Herb, which you can buy at Medonet Market.
If you work long hours in front of the computer, wash your eyes periodically. Avoid being in smoky rooms and do not use borrowed eye cosmetics. If you use contact lenses, remember to disinfect them.
An important element of eye hygiene is caring for the body’s hydration and an appropriately high level of air humidity. Also stay outdoors, use goggles while swimming. Inadequate lighting can contribute to the formation of barley on the eye. During breaks at work, blink repeatedly – this way the cornea will be better moisturized.
In the prevention and supportive treatment of barley, it is worth using appropriate care and cleansing preparations, eg PRODEX SENSITIVE wipes for sensitive and very sensitive skin or PRODEX SENSITIVE liquid for sensitive and very sensitive skin.