Mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner are intended to make women more attractive. One thing they shouldn't do is harm the eyes. Yet each year many women suffer eye infections from cosmetics. In rare cases, women have been temporarily or permanently blinded by an eye cosmetic. When an eye cosmetic is bought in the store, it is almost always free from bacteria that could cause eye infections. The reason these products do cause infections is that they are not adequately preserved against microorganisms or are misused by the consumer after they are opened. Poor preservation or misuse of an eye cosmetic can cause dangerous bacteria to grow in the product. Then, when the cosmetic is applied to the area around the eye, it can cause an infection.
The Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for assuring that cosmetics are harmless, has taken numerous steps to make sure that eye cosmetics are free from contamination when they reach you, and that they contain preservatives to inhibit the growth of bacteria. The cosmetics industry generally makes products which will not harm you. Nevertheless, Dr. Cary Silverman, a renowned New Jersey ophthalmologist, urges you to discontinue immediately the use of any eye product that causes irritation. If irritation persists, see a doctor.
Many people don't stop to realize that their hands contain bacteria that, if placed in the eye, could cause infections. Remembering to wash your hands before applying cosmetics to your eyes will help to avoid irritation. Make sure that any instrument place in the eye area is clean. According to Dr. Silverman, "contact lens wearers and people with allergies or sensitive skin are most at risk for problems in using eye cosmetics. Women who buy a lot of cosmetics but only use them occasionally seem to develop conjunctivitis (infection of the outer part of the eyeball) more frequently because their eye cosmetic or makeup applicator is contaminated.
Replacing cosmetics every six months (more often if you wear contact lenses) can help to avoid excess contamination with skin bacteria. Do not share your eye cosmetics with others. Each person has different skin bacteria. If you contaminate your cosmetics with another person's bacteria, you may get an infection. Do not store cosmetics at temperatures above 85 degrees F. Cosmetics held for long periods in hot cars, for example, are more susceptible to deterioration of the preservative. Avoid using eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection or the skin around the eye is inflamed. Wait until the area is healed and buy fresh eye makeup. When applying or removing eye cosmetics be careful not to scratch the eyeball or some other sensitive area.
Treating eye irritation or infection depends to the severity of the condition. If the irritation is mild, Dr. Silverman recommends using diluted baby shampoo to cleanse the eyelid, although this can cause irritation in some people, and care has to be taken not to get soap in the eyes. Artificial tears during the day could also help to relieve irritation. If the bacteria begin to excessively grow at the edge of the eyelid this could cause ocular redness, itching, burning, discharge (especially in the mornings), a scratchy sensation, tearing, and temporary blurred vision. At this point antibiotic ointment can be used on the lids at bedtime to reduce the bacterial load.
