Old Makeup Can Cause Serious Eye Infections. That mascara wand can do more than just make your lashes longer. It can also give you an eye infection. Every year, many women end up with eye infections from cosmetics.
Expired Products
The preservatives in makeup break down over time, making it easier for bacteria to grow. Once the dermatologically approved formula of makeup changes, that poses serious risks for allergic reactions and severe eye infections from makeup.
Risks are associated with using expired makeup including, clogged pores and bacterial growth. It's important to be mindful of how long your makeup has been in storage so you can avoid these potential health hazards. Your skin may react to product ingredients if they have reached their expiration date.
Bacteria, viruses or fungi that are present elsewhere on the body or picked up from another person who is infected cause eye infections. They can be highly contagious, so it's important to take precautions to avoid catching eye infections.
Symptoms include red and inflamed eyes, swollen eyelids, sensitivity to bright light, and pus inside the eye. In most cases, eye infections can be quickly and effectively treated by your doctor. In very rare cases, eye infections from eye makeup can be severe and even lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
Replace makeup regularly. Old and contaminated mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow can lead to blepharitis. It also increases the risk of conjunctivitis.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis normally causes a yellow or green sticky discharge throughout the day. They will feel itchy, and the eyelids may become swollen. Viral Conjunctivitis normally causes a watery discharge during the day and present with sticky discharge in the morning. The eyelids may become very swollen.
Using expired makeup increases the likelihood of bacterial contamination. Remove Makeup Thoroughly: Proper makeup removal is crucial for preventing stye formation. Use a gentle, oil-free makeup remover to cleanse your face thoroughly before bedtime.
When do eyeshadows expire? Luckily, you can hang on to your eyeshadows for a bit longer. The time from opening to when eyeshadows expire is 12 months but if left unopened, you have a full three years to hang onto them. This is because eyeshadow palettes are generally made with powder formulas.
Whatever it might be, when your makeup begins to take on a form it was not intended to be, it can have an adverse reaction and cause contact dermatitis, or skin inflammation, which may lead to redness, bumps, rashes, blisters and swelling.
Over time, cosmetics can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungus, especially if they've been used repeatedly or stored improperly. These microorganisms can lead to eye infections, such as conjunctivitis or stye. This may even cause more severe conditions if the infection spreads.
Baby shampoo is an inexpensive and ophthalmologist-recommended product for washing eyelids and the area around the eyes.
If people have persistent allergic conjunctivitis, they may need treatment with topical steroid eye drops, such as loteprednol etabonate (Alrex/Lotemax).
Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment.
Antibiotic eye drops used for bacterial eye infections include Besivance (besifloxacin), Zymaxid (gatifloxacin), Vigamox, Moxeza (moxifloxacin), ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tobramycin, gentamicin, Neosporin, Neo-Polycin, azithromycin, erythromycin, and bacitracin.
Salt water: Salt water is a popular natural home remedy used to treat certain eye issues such as eye infections. Turmeric: Turmeric is a multifaceted herb that contains curcumin that may have medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.
It can be hard to tell whether the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. In general, the discharge associated with viral conjunctivitis is watery, whereas it will be thicker and more pus-like when the infection is caused by bacteria.
You cannot obtain antibiotic eye drops over the counter. They require a doctor's prescription. However, you can use some over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms of various eye infections, including chalazion and styes.
This can lead to bacterial infections like styes or pinkeye. You also risk fungal infections and general irritation. Most problems caused by makeup contamination are minor and temporary. However, these infections can progress into vision-threatening conditions.
Best Budget: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
Kelley suggests the Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara, which won't set you back more than $8. “This mascara has a dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested formula designed to be gentle on sensitive eyes and safe for individuals who wear contact lenses,” she says.
Blepharitis is a common disease of the eyelids characterized by redness, thickening, and flakey or scaly crusting along the eyelids and eyelashes. It is sometimes known as "eye dandruff." Over time, a sticky plaque, or biofilm, forms along the lids, causing lash loss, clogged glands, infections and other complications.