Eye infections, including conjunctivitis and styes, should be treated by a doctor immediately. Foreign bodies, chemicals, trauma, and allergies can also cause infections. Periorbital cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection that requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
Eye infections can be quite painful or quite irritating and should be treated by a doctor immediately. This is especially true if you have suffered trauma to your eye and suspect that a foreign body may be trapped in your eye. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye or styes, also require quick treatment.
Two of the most common causes of eye infections are viral or bacterial conjunctivitis. Both forms are extremely contagious and cause the eye to water excessively, look very bloodshot and in the morning the eyes may be nearly shut together from the discharge. Sometimes a conjunctivitis infection jumps from eye to eye, especially if you rub your eyes. Doctor’s diagnosis and antibiotic usually help, even in cases where the cause is viral.
It’s also important to see a doctor if you suspect conjunctivitis as it could be accompanied by an ear or sinus infection. This is more common when you have cold symptoms before the infection appears. Some people also require oral antibiotics to treat ear or sinus infections.
A third form of conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies. Sometimes this can be treated on its own with over-the-counter drops. In other cases, these eye infections require prescribed eye drops. In any case, a doctor should evaluate your symptoms to rule out more infectious forms of pink eye.
Both a foreign body and exposure to harsh chemicals can cause eye infections. In some cases a foreign body may have touched the eye and caused scratches on the cornea. Although corneal scratches can heal quickly, they normally require antibiotic drops or ointments. They are also extremely painful. If it is suspected that a foreign body such as glass has entered the eye, the eye can be rinsed gently with water. If this doesn’t help the pain, see a doctor to rule out a corneal scratch.
Chemicals that come into contact with the eye can also cause eye infections. In these cases, most doctors recommend calling poison control first for instructions because different chemicals require different treatment.
Blunt trauma to the eye or recent eye surgery can lead to eye infections. Trauma to the eye not caused by surgery requires immediate medical attention. After surgery, infections can develop. Usually after eye surgery, doctors provide a list of things to look for that could indicate an infection.
An eye infection like a stye actually occurs in the eyelid glands. Sty medicine is sometimes recommended, but often the treatment is to use warm compresses on the affected eye several times a day. If you get styes frequently, follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment. Conversely, if this is your first stye, see a doctor.
The tissue around the eyes can become infected and cause eyelid swelling. This is a very serious condition called periorbital cellulitis. It is a bacterial infection and requires immediate antibiotic treatment. These infections can be caused by the infection of an insect bite, pimple or scratch located near the eye. The infection then moves to the skin and attacks the eyelids. Always be on the lookout for bites, scratches, or pimples near the skin tissue surrounding the eye. A little antibiotic ointment can help prevent cellulitis.
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