It’s doubly hazy days ahead in
Having been neighbours to countries that experience huge forest fires at least once a year, most of us are all too familiar with the effects of haze and the precautions we should take to protect ourselves from the haze. These topics have been discussed in this blog here and here.
Most people
are aware of, and have experienced for themselves, the irritation that smoke
causes to the eyes. But the effects of smoke and haze may not stop there. Smoke
can cause swollen eyes that result from allergy or inflammation. My poor
colleague has just received a 3-day MC from the doctor to stay at home because
she woke up one fine morning with a mysteriously swollen right eye that
wouldn’t open. The doctor attributed it to the smoky environment.
Tiny foreign
particles in smoke may enter your eyes, and cause an infection if not removed
in a timely manner. People with dry eyes may be more vulnerable to such
infections as their eyes do not produce sufficient moisture to remove the
particles. If your eyes are often dry, bring along a bottle of eye-drops with
you which you can use whenever your eyes feel irritated. Do also wear shades or
glasses when you’re outdoors as they will help to limit direct exposure to
foreign particles in the air.
Environmental
allergies may be more challenging to fight. Some of us have very sensitive
eyes. They get itchy the moment we take out a stack of clothes from the
cupboard to pack. Usually, our bodies are able to keep the allergens at bay,
but when there are too many stressors or triggers in the environment, the body
cannot cope, and this results in allergic conditions.
What you
should do is to get plenty of rest and make sure you’re getting ample Vitamin
C. These will help to boost your body’s immunity against infections and
allergies.
You should
also avoid being around second-hand smoke, or cut down on the cigarettes if
you’re a smoker.
What to do if my eyes are swollen?
There is a
difference between puffy eyes and swollen eyes. Puffy eyes are a common
occurrence due to lack of rest, constant exposure to computer work and fluid
retention. Most of the time, they aren’t even particularly noticeable unless
you’re really fussy about your appearance.
Swollen
eyes on the other hand are a different matter. You would find that your field
of vision is restricted due to difficulty with opening your lids. Your eyelids
may also exhibit unnatural redness. The whites of your eyes may not be red, but
that doesn’t mean it’s not serious.
Do not resort to home remedies, but see a doctor immediately.You will
typically be prescribed eye drops, oral medication and / or ointment with
antibiotic purposes and to bring down the swelling. You’ll probably also be
requested to take a break from school or work so that you can rest at home
while the swelling clears up. Swollen eyes take up to one week to be completely
healed. In that time, stay indoors as much as possible. If you must go out,
wear sunglasses or an eye patch to protect your eyes. You should also avoid
seafood, peanuts and other heaty food for about ten days or the swelling may be
aggravated.
