Is it possible to wash a dog's eyes with chamomile? Dog eyes: care and treatment

Reasons for the development of conjunctivitis

In this article

• Reasons for the development of conjunctivitis
• Diagnosis of conjunctivitis
• First aid for a person with conjunctivitis
• Types of conjunctivitis
• Is it possible to use chamomile infusion for conjunctivitis?
• How to prepare chamomile infusion
• Conjunctivitis: treatment with rinses and compresses
• Contraindications and side effects

The name of the disease is associated with a thin transparent film - the conjunctiva, which covers the back surface of the eyelids and the front of the eye. It secretes components of tear fluid, acts as protection against microorganisms and the entry of small foreign objects into the visual organ. It is the conjunctiva that is subject to inflammation during conjunctivitis.

In most cases, conjunctivitis occurs as a result of neglect of hygiene standards, but sometimes it occurs due to damage to the conjunctiva by harmful bacteria and various viruses. Thus, conjunctivitis often occurs when bacterial, chlamydial, viral and other types of infections get into the eye. This can happen when a child or adult touches their eyes with dirty hands, bathes in a body of water that is not intended for this purpose, uses expired cosmetics, etc. The infection can also enter the body through the blood: this happens in cases of infection with infectious diseases, for example, measles or chickenpox.

In addition, conjunctivitis can occur as a result of allergies. This form of the disease is a response to the action of an irritant, which may be, for example, pollen. In addition, the reasons for the development of conjunctivitis may be:

• exposure to dust, smoke or chemicals;
• ultraviolet radiation;
• reaction to medications used;
• ignoring the rules for using contact lenses;
• eye fatigue;
• farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism;
• vitamin deficiency, metabolic problems;
• diseases of the nose and lacrimal ducts that are chronic.

Pregnant, lactating and puppies

Rinsing puppies' eyes with chlorhexidine solution is safe for their health. The procedure is carried out without dose adjustment. You just have to monitor the pressure while flushing. Excessive zeal can lead to trauma to the mucous membrane.

During lactation, the dog is also at risk. Toxic substances from medications can pass into the milk and harm puppies.

The use of chlorhexidine for washing pregnant and lactating dogs does not in any way harm the health of the bitch or her puppies. During clinical trials, penetration of the drug into the systemic circulation was not detected.

During manipulations to treat the eyes of an adult dog with puppies, you should be extremely careful and not give her a reason to be nervous.

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis

To begin treating conjunctivitis with chamomile infusion or any other means, you need to make sure that this is the disease in question.

The diagnosis will be made by an ophthalmologist based on his examination. To determine the likely cause of the disease, the specialist will ask a number of questions related to past illnesses and working conditions. Sometimes additional analysis is also performed to help identify the pathogen. In rare cases, consultation with other specialists, such as an allergist or gynecologist, may be necessary.

If conjunctivitis in adults is mild, then it is not the disease itself that should be feared, but its easy spread. Strict adherence to hygiene rules helps reduce the risk of transferring to other people.

The list of basic hygiene rules for conjunctivitis in adults and children includes:

• using only your own towel and bedding;
• regular hand hygiene, especially if you are going to touch your eyes;
• refusal to visit public places, including swimming pools, baths, and washing with chlorinated water: bleach can aggravate the condition of the inflamed conjunctiva.

How to wipe properly?

1. Prepare everything you need in advance - solution, cotton pads, water.
2. The drug must be warmed to body temperature.
3. The dog may not like manipulation of its eyes. Especially when this is done for the first time. Therefore, prepare a towel to secure the animal. If the dog is large, you can put it in the bathtub or use the help of another person.
4. Before handling, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

At the first stage of treatment, simply blot your eyelids and corners of your eyes so that the resulting crusts soak a little. After 10-20 seconds, pass the disc again, cleaning the eyelids. If the dog is not sick, then these manipulations are enough to keep the eyes hygienically clean.

When an animal suffers from various types of conjunctivitis, it requires additional cleaning of the conjunctiva and cornea. To do this you will need a small syringe without a needle.

Draw the warm chlorhexidine solution into the syringe. Its tip should be directed towards the inner corner of the eye. This will cleanse both the dog’s conjunctival sac and cornea. Use a gentle, smooth motion to press down on the pump. Afterwards, wipe the closed eyelid with a dry cloth in the direction from the outer corner of the eye to the inner.

First aid for a person with conjunctivitis

If signs of conjunctivitis are detected in a child or adult, the following measures must be taken:

1. Use a 20% solution of albucid or a 0.3% solution of chloramphenicol. You need to instill 1-2 drops behind the inner edge of the lower eyelid. It is recommended to repeat the procedure every three hours.
2. If only one eye is damaged, then for the purpose of prevention, you can also instill the second one, but it is better to use another pipette: this way the risk of infection is significantly reduced.
3. Do not use eye patches. If a symptom such as photophobia appears, it is better to use dark glasses.

These measures will help alleviate the patient’s condition before the ophthalmologist prescribes treatment.

Types of conjunctivitis

Treatment of the disease in adults and children depends on its form, so it is extremely important to correctly determine it.

Bacterial conjunctivitis in acute form is treated with frequent instillation of drops: 30% albucid or 0.25% chloramphenicol, as well as 1% tetracycline ointment. Before carrying out these procedures, you should wash your eyes with chamomile or another disinfectant solution, which can be other herbal infusions. In this form of the disease, pus may be released from the eyes, causing the eyelids to stick together and making it difficult to open the eyes. A warm infusion of chamomile will also help soften hardened substances. To prepare it, you need to pour two teaspoons of the crushed plant with a quarter cup of boiling water, cover the container with a lid, leave the infusion for 5 minutes, then strain.

If conjunctivitis is viral in a child or adult, it is worth using interferon and antiviral ointments. For the allergic form of conjunctivitis, drugs with antiallergic properties are prescribed. Treatment can be supplemented with cold compresses and eye drops.

If the type of disease was determined correctly, and the treatment was selected correctly and in a timely manner, then conjunctivitis in the acute form goes away within 5 days, and in the chronic form - within 4-5 weeks. It is worth noting that treatment is necessary even for mild forms of the disease. Advanced disease provokes the development of severe complications, including decreased visual acuity.

Conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic . The first is characterized by a sudden onset and rapid progression. With the disease, small blood vessels expand and burst, swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation, photophobia occurs, and mucous or purulent discharge appears. Other symptoms include pain and burning in the eyes, sensations comparable to those that occur when sand gets into them. Sometimes there is weakness, headache, and body temperature rises. If you do not take action, acute conjunctivitis can become chronic, so it is worthwhile to eliminate the disease immediately when it appears, while combining medications and traditional medicine methods.

Treatment recommendations

Typically, adults may experience one of three types of conjunctivitis: viral, allergic, or bacterial (the latter is usually quite rare). An ophthalmologist can diagnose a specific type of disease and prescribe special ointments and drops. As a rule, treatment with chamomile infusions goes well with pharmaceuticals, but prior consultation with a doctor on this issue will eliminate possible harm.

A new, clean swab should be used to rinse each eye. The greatest effectiveness is achieved at a temperature of the therapeutic fluid of 25–30 °C.

If after 2 days of treatment there is no improvement, you should consult a doctor.

Is it possible to use chamomile infusion for conjunctivitis?

An infusion of chamomile will help enhance the effect of medications used for inflammation of the conjunctiva. Flowers can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. They contain:

• coumarins;
• tannins;
• phytosterols;
• organic acids;
• carotene;
• gum;
• essential oil;
• vitamins C and PP.

This composition allows the use of chamomile infusion as a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic agent. So, with conjunctivitis, chamomile infusion helps relieve itching and pain, reduce the amount of fluid, mucus and pus released. It also eliminates redness of the eyelids, although the degree of hyperemia decreases quite slowly.

How to prepare chamomile infusion

To treat conjunctivitis, you can use chamomile sachets, sold in pharmacies, and dried flowers with leaves - both of these options are suitable for preparing an infusion and will have the desired effect.

If you use packaged chamomile for the infusion, you need to squeeze out the bag that was brewed in boiling water and cooled and use it for a compress. The procedure takes at least 10 minutes. The water in which chamomile is infused is also used for medicinal purposes: it is used for washing.

If you decide to use dry herbs, for the decoction you need to take 1 tablespoon of the raw material, put it in a porcelain container, pour a glass of hot water and wrap everything in a blanket. If chamomile decoction is infused hot for a long time, it enhances its healing effect.

Of course, it is best to use chamomile collected yourself for infusion. This approach allows you to control all processes: from collection to drying and storage of herbal raw materials. It is better to collect in dry weather and at the moment when the flowers have bloomed; Plants with already fading flowers should not be taken, since the healing power of such chamomile is significantly reduced. If the plants are wet at the time of collection, fungus will appear on them, which does not have a favorable effect on the quality of the medicinal infusion.

Plants for decoction should be dried outdoors, protecting them from direct sunlight. You should not forcefully dry chamomile: with this method, some of the beneficial substances are destroyed. It is worth noting that the name “chamomile” is often assigned to a wide variety of plants if their flower consists of a yellow core and white petals. Therefore, if you do not know what chamomile should look like, it is better not to collect it, but to purchase it at the pharmacy.

General rules

Every dog ​​owner should know some aspects by heart. It is very important to follow them, but it is simple. For example, each eye is washed with a separate piece of gauze bandage or lint-free wipe. It is not recommended to take cotton wool or cotton pads. Invisible fibers can separate from them, which will further irritate sore eyes.

Before the procedure, be sure to wash your hands with soap. Don’t listen to advisers who talk about safeguards and the like. In operating rooms they still use good old laundry soap. Science has not yet come up with anything better.

There are recommendations to restrain the dog before washing the eyes. Nonsense. This will only frighten the animal and prevent the procedure from being carried out. Any dog ​​trusts its owner unconditionally. It’s enough just to talk to her in a gentle voice, let her smell the product and tools. This way the pet will understand that it will not hurt. Afterwards you need to pet him, praise him and give him a treat. Of course, this rule only works when the dog is a member of your family, and not a piece of furniture or a means of earning money.

All washing movements must be strictly from the outside in! Only from ears to nose, and not vice versa. No doubt, sometimes this is not very convenient, especially in long-haired breeds. But there is no other way. And don't try to get the bandage right into your eye. The animal may be in pain.

By the way, if you see foreign particles on the cornea that are not washed off with tears or washing, then do not even think about wiping them with a napkin. You can rub them even deeper. Go to the vet immediately! Or call at home. Otherwise, the dog may lose an eye.

All products, tools and liquids must be warm. Think for yourself - would you be pleased to get something cold in your sore eye? So the dog can get scared.

And further. Nothing has yet been invented more convenient than the simplest syringe for washing. Just control the strength of the stream so as not to hurt the animal.

• lotions
• drops
• solutions

Prices are suitable for any wallet. However, each product works well. But you won’t have to bother with the preparation if something happens. After all, in such an important matter, delay is unacceptable.

By the way, after visiting a doctor, the animal will be prescribed drops or medicinal ointments. But this does not save the owner from washing the dog’s eyes. After all, purulent discharge will not disappear instantly. Therefore, the crusts will have to be soaked and removed for some time. This means that before each instillation or application of ointment, you need to wash your eyes.

Before the procedure, be sure to read the composition of the medicine. For example, some already contain chlorhexidine. This means you cannot use chlorhexidine solution for rinsing.

How to wash a dog's eyes? Not with human medicines to treat eye diseases! Otherwise, you can only do harm. The best solution would be to go to a veterinary clinic. After all, there is a high probability that it was not just a speck or a blow from the wind. Take pity on your pet and show care. Then you will always be pleased with your dog's clear eyes, wagging tail and wet nose.

Conjunctivitis: treatment with rinses and compresses

To treat conjunctivitis, you need to use chamomile infusion heated to 25-30 degrees. A liquid whose temperature is lower will not have healing properties, and an infusion with a higher temperature can injure the conjunctiva and aggravate the patient’s situation. For rinsing, you need to use a cotton swab, which is soaked in the infusion, and then squeeze out the excess moisture. This method helps get rid of pus and mucus. Washing should be done at least 3-4 times a day.

For compresses, pieces of gauze consisting of several layers are used. The size of the gauze should be calculated so that it protrudes a couple of centimeters beyond the eye. You need to moisten the gauze with the infusion, squeeze it lightly and place it on your eyes. Keep the compress for at least a quarter of an hour, repeat the procedure twice a day. Before carrying out the procedure, it is worth clearing the eyes of purulent and mucous discharge using furatsilin or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. After this, the eyes should be rinsed in clean boiled water.

You can enhance the healing effect of chamomile decoction by supplementing it with other folk remedies. It goes especially well with aloe and Kalanchoe juice, from which compresses are made using a technology similar to chamomile infusion. It is worth noting that concentrated juice can be an eye irritant, so it is recommended to dilute it with water.

Acne mask

Acne is not the only thing that chamomile infusion helps with. The described solution is an excellent product for caring for aging and mature skin.

Herbal infusion promotes toning and deep hydration of the epidermis. Daily use of the drug instead of lotion improves complexion and increases its elasticity.

You can wash your face with chamomile infusion, make compresses and masks from it. Morning rubbing of the skin with ice cubes with the addition of the proposed product has a positive effect.

Chamomile infusion for hair

The natural solution in question is often used for soft and natural lightening of curls. Thanks to chamomile infusion, blondes get rid of the yellow tint of their hair, and dark strands acquire a beautiful golden-copper tint. You can achieve the desired effect by regularly rinsing your hair after each wash for 2-5 months.

Chamomile helps well against dandruff, excessive activity of the sebaceous glands, hair loss and oily seborrhea. You need to mix the herbal infusion and high-quality vodka in equal proportions. Trichologists recommend wiping the scalp with this composition before daily washing (a quarter of an hour before), doing a light massage with your fingertips for 5-10 minutes.

Contraindications and side effects

As a rule, chamomile infusion for conjunctivitis does not provoke negative consequences. However, those who suffer from hay fever need to be careful, as chamomile decoction can trigger allergic reactions. If there is a tendency to react to other allergens, it is recommended to conduct a test before treating conjunctivitis with chamomile. Treat one eye with a decoction, ridding the mucous membrane of pus and mucus, and observe. If there is no burning, swelling or other signs, you can use chamomile infusion to its fullest extent.

If treatment of conjunctivitis with chamomile infusion is carried out for a long time, yellow circles may appear around the eyes: this means that the skin is saturated with the infusion. This will go away in 2-3 days without compresses.

Treatment of conjunctivitis with chamomile has a positive effect after just a few days of use. If conjunctivitis is chronic, treatment will have to be extended somewhat, however, even in this case, regular use of chamomile infusion and the absence of contraindications will lead to relief from the inflammatory process. It is worth emphasizing that even such a harmless remedy as chamomile may not be suitable for everyone. It is best to consult a specialist before starting therapy. He will help you choose the right treatment regimen and correctly include the use of herbal remedies in it.

How can chamomile be beneficial if you wash your eyes with it?

It is known that chamomile has a fairly pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Partly due to this, chamomile is used for conjunctivitis to relieve inflammation. This, however, is unsafe: if antibacterial drugs (antibiotics or antiseptics) are not taken in parallel, it is impossible to relieve inflammation itself as a normal protective reaction of the body, otherwise the infection will develop even faster in the absence of resistance.

If effective antibacterial or antiviral therapy is carried out, chamomile as an anti-inflammatory agent will not be needed, since when the infection is suppressed, the inflammation will subside on its own. In this case, you can wipe or wash your eyes with chamomile decoction or water infusion to speed up the completion of inflammation, but there is no urgent need for this procedure.

To date, there is no experimental data that would confirm the benefits and necessity of washing, rubbing or instilling chamomile into the eyes.

As a result, it makes no sense to drop chamomile into your eyes, rinse or wipe them with it. This remedy is considered outdated and has no advantages over more modern antiseptics and antibiotics with proven effectiveness, as well as over more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.

If a newborn baby does not have signs of illness, there is no need to rinse or wipe his eyes with chamomile infusion.

In the vast majority of cases, mothers try to wash their children’s eyes with chamomile, especially infants, only to avoid sitting with their hands folded after taking truly effective medications, or simply to prevent “imaginary” diseases. Chamomile itself is used here only as a placebo, the fact of its use means more to the patient or the parents of a sick child than the result. That is, in fact, many parents try to wash their child’s eyes with chamomile or drip it just to do something, and not to get a specific therapeutic effect.

Also, many mothers believe that a newborn’s eyes must be washed to remove accumulations of mucus after the baby sleeps or cries in order to prevent the development of any infection. Of course, they consider rinsing their eyes with plain water “not prestigious” and are looking for more sophisticated methods. In this regard, chamomile turns out to be ideal for them - it is both quite safe and is considered an effective folk medicine.

In fact, in a healthy child, the eyes clean themselves on their own, and accumulations of mucus with elements of pollution in the corners of the eye can be washed off either with clean water, or even removed with a handkerchief or fingers. There is no need to rinse your eyes with chamomile remedy for this.

At the same time, rinsing or rubbing your eyes with chamomile may not always be safe.