Have you ever heard of microscopic eight-legged, spider-shaped creatures called fleas or eye mites? Although the figure sounds like a creature from a science fiction story, in fact lice or eye mites do nest at the base of human eyelashes and live by eating skin cells and oils produced by the body. A person who has lice or mites in his eyes will most likely show an allergic reaction or even experience swelling in the eye area known as blepharitis. In addition, eye lice can also move to other areas of your body! That's why, you should be able to detect its presence.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Eye Lice
Step 1. Observe the allergic reaction that occurs
Remember, eye lice carry bacteria that can cause infection, especially for people who have rosacea. If you also experience the disease, try to observe the various changes that occur in the eyes, such as:
- Eyes that look watery
- Painful eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Swollen eyes
Step 2. Watch out for a strange feeling in the eye area
Most detect the presence of eye lice because they feel there is a foreign object in their eyes. In addition, usually your eyelids will also feel itchy or even a little burning.
Also be aware if the quality of your vision changes or feels blurry. Chances are, the situation is caused by the presence of lice in your eye area
Step 3. Observe the condition of the eyes
Unfortunately, eye lice are so small they can only be seen with the aid of a microscope or magnifying glass. However, be aware if your eyelids look thicker or crusty. A person who has eye lice also often experiences eyelash loss.
Also be careful if your eyelids look red, especially at the edges
Step 4. Consider the risk factors you have
Understand that a person's risk factors for having eye lice will increase with age. Some studies even show that more than 80% of people over the age of 60 have eye lice. In fact, these microscopic creatures are often found in children! In addition, people who experience a skin disease called rosacea often have eye lice.
In fact, men and women of any race have the same potential to have eye lice
Step 5. Call a doctor immediately
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, you most likely have eye lice. Unfortunately, eye lice are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, you need to detect its presence and treat it with the help of an ophthalmologist.
You can also ask an ophthalmologist for help to check for other conditions that could potentially trigger the symptoms you are experiencing
Step 6. Perform a medical examination
Most likely, the doctor will perform an examination with the help of a slit-lamp (a type of lamp that is also used in the optic minus eye examination). In this method of examination, the patient is asked to sit with his chin and forehead on the support provided, and stare straight at the small glowing binoculars in front of him. Through this examination, the doctor will detect the presence of small eye lice that may be attached to the base of your eyelashes. In some types of examinations, the doctor may need to pluck a strand or two of the patient's eyelashes to observe them under a microscope.
- As explained, some doctors may pluck an eyelash or two for examination under a microscope.
- If the presence of eye lice is not detected, the doctor will conduct further examinations to consider the presence of other conditions that cause irritation to the eyes (such as allergies or the presence of foreign objects in the eye area).
Part 2 of 2: Treating Eye Lice
Step 1. Clean the eye area
Mix tea tree oil with olive oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil in equal proportions. After that, dip a cotton swab or cotton swab into the mixture, and gently apply it to the eyelids and the area around it. Leave the mixture as long as your eyes don't sting or hurt. When the stinging begins to appear, rinse immediately with warm water. Repeat the process every four hours for the entire week, and every eight hours for the next three weeks.
- Continue to clean the eyelashes and the area around them for the entire life of the eye lice, which is about four weeks.
- Since tea tree oil is at risk of irritating the skin, consult your doctor first.
Step 2. Change your eye makeup
Indeed, the relationship between the use of eye makeup and an increased risk of developing eye lice has not been scientifically proven. However, if you like wearing eye makeup (especially mascara), make sure you keep it tightly closed when not in use and change it regularly. Wash cosmetic brushes at least twice a month and replace the cosmetics you use by following these guidelines:
- Liquid eyeliner: change every three months
- Cream eye shadow: replace every six months
- Pencil and powder eyeliner: replace every two years
- Mascara: change every three months
Step 3. Clean your sheets, pillowcases and bolsters
Since eye lice can survive in the pores of fabrics but are very fragile to high heat, try washing all clothes, towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, bolsters, handkerchiefs, blankets, and other objects that your eyes interact with with water. hot soapy. After that, dry the entire object under the hot sun to make sure all the fleas that breed in it are killed. Do this process at least once a week.
Also check your pet to the doctor regularly to make sure there are no fleas that breed on his body, and wash the bedding
Step 4. Get medical treatment
Chances are, your doctor will ask you to clean the eye area with tea tree oil or apply over-the-counter medications such as permethrin or ivermectin. Although recommended by doctors, the true effectiveness of using these over-the-counter medicines still needs to go through further clinical trials. Alternatively, the doctor will also ask you to keep the eye area clean for a few weeks to prevent eye lice from laying eggs and multiplying on your eyelids.
