HealthyLife Articles

Tag: irritation

Irritated Eyelids And Blepharitis

SELF-CARE CORNER

You might not think about your eyelids very much. That is, until there’s a problem with them. Blepharitis, a common eyelid condition, can cause irritated, red, itchy eyelids. It can also cause flaking on the eyelids.

What causes blepharitis?

Blepharitis usually happens when bacteria on the skin become unbalanced. Certain things can trigger this bacteria growth, including:

* Allergies

* Mites

* Dandruff

* Oily skin

* Rosacea

Signs and symptoms

Blepharitis can feel different to different people. Blepharitis symptoms include:

* Watery eyes or extra tearing

* Red and swollen eyelids

* Dry eyes

* Crusting of the eyelids

* Itching

* Blurry vision

Self-care

Most people can manage blepharitis with self-care at home. Here’s how:

* Wash your hands. Then apply a warm, moist compress to each eyelid twice a day. Use a clean cloth for each eye.

* Gently scrub the eyelids with water and baby shampoo or a gentle eyelid cleanser.

* Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water and dry with a clean towel.

* If you have dandruff, wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo on a regular basis.

* Avoid using eye makeup or wearing contact lenses until blepharitis symptoms are gone.

Is blepharitis dangerous?

Blepharitis isn’t usually dangerous. But its symptoms can be painful or bothersome. Sometimes blepharitis can cause other eye problems, such as:

*Stye:A red, painful bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland.

*Chalazion:A red bump on the eyelid that doesn’t hurt.

*Cornea damage:The cornea is the clear outer layer of the eye.

If blepharitis doesn’t get better with self-care measures, contact your doctor. In some cases, you may need special eye drops or antibiotic ointment. Always ask your doctor before using any drops or other products in your eyes.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Causes Of Coughing

SELF-CARE CORNER

It’s the season for colds and flu – and that means coughing. Coughing is an important function in your body. It helps clear your airways. Many times, a mild cough will go away on its own. But when should you see a doctor about a cough?

Common cold

A common cold may cause some coughing. When you have a runny nose, the fluids drain down your throat. This causes your cough reflex to kick in. It’s a way your body protects your lungs. Although a cough from a cold can be annoying, it usually goes away quickly. Antibiotics won’t help with a cough related to a cold.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation in the tiny tubes in the lungs. These tubes are called bronchioles. Viruses and bacteria can get into the bronchioles and make you sick. Chemicals and toxins like tobacco smoke can also invade the bronchioles and lead to bronchitis.

Symptoms of bronchitis include:

* Coughing, especially with mucus

* Wheezing or feeling short of breath

* Low fever

* Chest pain

Bronchitis is most often caused by a virus so antibiotics will not help. Rest, drinking more fluids and a humidifier can help you feel better.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in the air sacs inside the lungs. These sacs are called alveoli. Pneumonia can range from mild to serious. If you have pneumonia, you may notice:

* Cough with greenish, yellow or bloody mucus

* Fever, sweating and chills

* Trouble breathing

* Stabbing chest pain that hurts when you cough or take a deep breath

* Loss of appetite

* Feeling weak or tired

* Nausea and vomiting (common in small children)

Many times, a doctor will give you antibiotics for pneumonia. Be sure to take them exactly as your doctor tells you. Pneumonia can be life-threatening if it is not treated effectively.

Pertussis (Whooping cough)

Pertussis is very contagious. It may seem like a cold at first. People may have a runny nose or mild cough.

As it gets worse, pertussis causes a severe cough that can last weeks or even months. The cough makes a high-pitched “whoop” sound. It’s especially dangerous for babies and people with weak immune systems.

The best way to protect against pertussis is to get vaccinated. If you aren’t sure whether you’re vaccinated, ask your doctor. Pertussis is treated with antibiotics.

Sources: American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Eye Problems

Children’s Health

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

There are many kinds of eye problems that children get. Here are some of them:

* Blocked tear ducts. Tears made by the eye can’t drain into the tear ducts if they are blocked. The baby’s eyes water even when the baby is not crying. This usually happens to babies up to 2 months old. Most blocked tear ducts open up by the time the child is 1 year old.

* Crossed eyes. Often, this problem goes away with no treatment.

* Swelling and pain inside the eyelids and on the whites of the eyes. This is called conjunctivitis. There are many kinds of conjunctivitis. Pinkeye is one kind. It is an infection. Other infections, chemicals, allergens, or things that get in the eye can also cause conjunctivitis.

* Drooping eyelid over part of the eye. This is called ptosis. It is usually caused by weak nerves in the eye lid. Your child can be born with it. Or it can happen with another muscle problem.

* Sty. This is an infection on the eyelid. It looks like a pimple. Most sties go away with home treatments.

* Vision problems. Here are a few examples:

– Nearsightedness (can’t see things far away).

– Farsightedness (can’t see things close up).

– Astigmatism (blurry vision from an eye that is not shaped right, or from losing an eye).

It’s hard to know if your child has vision problems until he or she is 3 years old. (The eye is still developing until then.)

* Take your child for their first eye exam at 3 years old.

* Take your child for another eye exam before he or she starts school.

* Watch for problems at any age. Look for changes in the eyes, eyelids, or the skin around the eyes.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

A doctor should treat a hurt or infected eye. But you can treat some eye problems at home.

* For a blocked tear duct:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Press gently on the inner corner of the eye with a cotton swab. Press up, not down, for a few seconds to a few minutes.

* For dry eyes, try over-the-counter “tears.” Some kinds are Ocu-Lube®, Refresh®, or Liquifilm®. Wash your hands before you put drops in the eyes. If your child’s eyes don’t get better, take him or her to the doctor.

* To help with an insect bite, gently wash the eyes with warm water.

* To help the pain of a hurt eye that is not infected:

– Put a warm (not hot), wet wash cloth on the eye for 5 minutes. Do this 2 or 3 times a day.

– Use over-the-counter eye drops.

– Don’t let your child wear contact lenses or makeup until the eye is better.

* If the eye is infected:

– Wash your hands and your child’s hands every time you touch the eye. (Pinkeye is very easy to catch.)

– Don’t share a towel with someone who has pinkeye.

– Keep your child away from light if he or she got pinkeye from the measles.

– Don’t cover the eye. This can make the infection worse.

* Here’s how to get something out of your child’s eye: (Make sure you can see the speck before you try to get it out.)

1. Wash your hands.

2. Drip clean water into the eye to rinse it.

3. Twist a piece of tissue at each end. Wet the tip with tap water, not spit. Gently touch the speck with the tip. The speck should stick to the tip.

– Tell your child to look down if the speck is under the upper lid. Pull the upper lid away from the eye. Do this by gently pulling on the eyelashes. When you can see the speck, try to touch it with the tissue.

– Don’t rub the eye. And never use anything sharp to touch your child’s eye.

4. Gently wash the eye with cool water.

* To help with pain from a sty:

– Put a warm (not hot), wash cloth on the sty 3 or 4 times a day for 5 or 10 minutes each time.

– Keep your child away from dust and dirt that can get in his or her eyes.

– Don’t poke or squeeze the sty!

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Laryngitis

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Laryngitis is when your larynx (voice box) is irritated or swollen.

Signs & Symptoms

* Hoarse, husky, and weak voice or loss of voice.

* Cough.

* Sore throat, fever, and/or trouble swallowing.

Causes

Common causes are allergies and irritants like smoke; bacterial or viral infections; and strained vocal cords. Smoking, drinking alcohol, breathing cold air, and using already distressed vocal cords can make the problem worse. Growths on the vocal cords or nerve damage to the vocal cords can also cause hoarseness.

Treatment

Self-care treats most cases of laryngitis. If needed, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for a bacterial infection.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Don’t talk if you don’t need to. Write notes, instead.

* Use a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom.

* Drink a lot of fluids. Drink warm drinks, such as weak tea, with honey and/or lemon juice.

* Gargle every few hours with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water).

* Run hot water in the shower to make steam. Sit in the bathroom and breathe the moist air.

* Suck on cough drops, throat lozenges, or hard candy. (Don’t give to children under age 5.) Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed on the label.

Resources

American Academy of Otolaryngology –

Head and Neck Surgery

www.entnet.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026