Barley during pregnancy: causes of the disease, methods of treatment, consequences for the child

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A pregnant woman's body becomes vulnerable to many infections due to the reduced immunity status during this period. Many pathogens that attack the human body every second and are destroyed in the normal state become dangerous during pregnancy. And barley eyelids are no exception. This article will tell you about the features of the course and treatment of this inflammation during pregnancy. And also about whether barley is dangerous during pregnancy for the development of the fetus and during the period of breastfeeding.

What is century barley

To begin with, let's explain: barley as an inflammatory disease develops in the hair follicle of the eyelash. Thus, talking about the barley of the eye is not entirely correct, but it is this designation that is more familiar to the inhabitants. The medical name for the pathology is hordeolum, which means an inflammatory process that develops in the hair follicle of the eyelashes, the sebaceous glands of Zeiss (external barley) and the meibomian glands(internal barley).

The main source of infection is the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (95%), which is constantly present on our skin. With a decrease in the immunity status, this bacterium enters the hair follicle of the cilia and begins to multiply actively there with spread to the accompanying glands. An active inflammatory process begins in the breeding sites of bacteria - living cells die off, and blood macrophages that have come to the rescue to fight the pathogen form hard purulent seals 2-4 days after infection.

Further, the barley ripens, the infection is defeated, and the pus comes out. This happens within a week and usually, apart from itching, redness and discomfort, does not bring serious problems to a person.

Unusual flow

Both normally and during pregnancy, barley on the eye with severe infection can cause an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C and signs of general intoxication of the body (nausea, weakness).

In addition, sometimes the pressure of purulent masses is not enough to break through, and the barley resolves on its own, no longer bringing trouble to a person.

But it also happens that the inflammation in the hair follicle disappears, and the barley does not resolve on its own. Then it turns into a chalazion (“cold” barley). This is an internal low-grade inflammation that often requires surgical removal.

Risk factors

There are two reasons for the development of pathology - an infection and a decrease in immunity. Pathogenic organisms in the development of barley on the eye during pregnancy are various strains of staphylococci (mainly Staphylococcus aureus) or skin mites (demodex). All these organisms are classified as potentially pathogenic, as they are present in our skin and do not always lead to inflammatory processes.

The development of inflammation is accompanied by a decrease in the body's immunity and excessive reproduction of the bacterial flora. During pregnancy, a hormonal restructuring of all systems of a woman occurs, which automatically reduces the immune status. In addition, stress, hypovitaminosis, chronic diseases and inflammatory processes (furunculosis and blepharitis) can lead to a decrease in the protective properties of the body.

But more often the infection enters the hair follicle in violation of the rules of personal hygiene. That is why stye is more common in women, because they are more likely to touch their eyes with daily makeup.

Barley during pregnancy can appear in any trimester, and after the birth of a child during breastfeeding. After all, it is during these periods that the mother's body is set to give all its resources to the baby, while forgetting about itself.

Main symptoms

Most of us are familiar with inflammation, swelling, redness of the eyelid and the formation of a seal with purulent contents on it.

Associated symptoms - itching and pain at the site of infection, tearing, foreign body sensations in the eye, sometimes extensive swelling.

Ripening of barley duringpregnancy is no different from its usual acute course. A few days of pain bring clear relief and a breakthrough of barley. It is absolutely impossible to assist this process. With the external location of barley, pus spreads throughout the eyelid and can provoke a new infection. With internal barley, pus spills onto the mucous membranes of the eyes and can cause various kinds of abscesses.

Diagnosis

We ourselves quite easily determine the development of such inflammation. But if barley on the eye during pregnancy appear quite often or have a severe course, it is better for the expectant mother to consult an ophthalmologist.

Diagnosis is by visual inspection. Your doctor will then prescribe treatment that includes:

• Antibacterial drugs.
• Stimulation of the fastest ripening of barley.
• Maintenance care.
• Surgery if needed.

However, in the treatment of barley during pregnancy, there are nuances that are associated with the restriction of medication.

Is there a danger to the fetus?

Barley during pregnancy in a mother with a normal course and adequate treatment is completely safe for the development of the fetus. Bacteria do not enter the mother's blood and do not cross the placental barrier.

A certain danger may be a complicated course of barley during pregnancy, which is accompanied by fever. This can provoke an increased tone of the uterus, which is especially dangerous in the third trimester andmay cause premature birth. Barley with fever in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause miscarriage. The temperature must certainly be reduced with drugs approved during pregnancy. And in this case, barley during pregnancy must be treated.

When breastfeeding, mom should also not worry. But paying extra attention to personal hygiene is becoming extremely important.

How to treat barley during pregnancy

Aggressive drugs are not used during pregnancy, so it is easier to prevent the development of barley on the eye than to treat it later.

If, nevertheless, barley appeared on the eye during pregnancy, treatment should begin with a very careful cauterization of it with brilliant green. If the process proceeds without complications, then it is enough to continue gentle cauterization, do not use cosmetics and apply Tsipromed or Levomycetin drops.

If the process progresses, then the use of local antibiotics is prescribed - erythromycin ointment or Floxal drops. They do not enter the bloodstream and do not pose a danger to the development of the fetus, but they will stop the growth and development of bacteria in the focus of inflammation.

Good recommendations for the treatment of this type of inflammation has a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent "Ofloxacin". The active substance of drops and ointments blocks the self-reproduction of staphylococcal DNA molecules, which leads to their death.

In severe forms of the course of inflammation, the use of systemic antibacterial drugs is required, the appointmentwhich should only be done by a doctor, or surgery.

What traditional medicine says

In the recipes of traditional medicine there are many recommendations for the treatment of eyelid barley. Here are just the most common:

• A freshly boiled egg wrapped in a cloth, apply to the sore eye. But dry warmings are effective only in the initial stages of inflammation.
• The same procedure is carried out with a pre-baked onion head.
• The tannins contained in tea are actively used when washing the eye with strong brewing of only black teas.
• Lotions on herbal solutions of sage, chamomile and calendula have a good antibacterial effect.

Lotions and rinses should be warm, but not hot. If relief does not come within 2 days, you should consult a doctor.

Complicated course

As already mentioned, when the immune status is weakened, the course of inflammation can even lead to inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). That is why, if the barley does not go away within a week or there are repeated inflammations, it is impossible to postpone the visit to the doctor.

The transition of barley to the stage of chalazion with periodic inflammation is fraught with surgical intervention.

And if you contribute to the release of pus, you can not only deform the eyelid and change the direction of eyelash growth, but also provoke repeated and multiple inflammations.

Importantsupport immunity. As part of the maintenance therapy, both medicines and traditional medicine methods are used. To stimulate the immune system, vitamin C is an important component. It can be taken in tablets, or it can be taken from natural products. It is found in gooseberries, kiwi, lemons, raspberries and currants, rosehip broth.

To maintain immunity, it is important to walk in the fresh air, do moderate exercise and lead a he althy lifestyle. All this is quite feasible for women in an interesting position.

Inflammation prevention

The occurrence of barley is easier to prevent. To do this, it is enough to follow very simple rules, namely:

• If you wear contact lenses, take care of them properly.
• Keep a he althy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet.
• Prevent the development of inflammatory processes in the body (for example, caries).
• Keep personal hygiene and avoid touching your eyelids.
• Use only your own cosmetics and a towel.