Introduction
The barleycorn (medically known as hordeolum) is quite common. Typically, a barleycorn appears as a small pus pimple on the edge of the eyelid. To relieve the unpleasant swelling and pain, there are medications that can be applied to the eye as an ointment or drops.
Which eye ointments are suitable for the barleycorn?
Eye ointments that act against a barleycorn usually contain an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that cause the inflammation. The active ingredients gentamycin or erythromycin are often used. These antibiotic eye ointments are only available in pharmacies and must be prescribed by a doctor.
However, there are also non-prescription eye ointments that are not specifically directed against the barleycorn, but can be used for general inflammation of the eye. These include Bepanthen® eye and nose ointment and Posiformin® eye ointment. Floxal® 3 mg/g eye ointment contains the active ingredient ofloxacin, which belongs to the group of antibiotics.
It must be prescribed by a doctor. Floxal® is typically used for inflammation of the eye, such as chronic conjunctivitis, corneal inflammation and corneal ulcer. Floxal® also helps with chlamydia infections of the eye.
Unless otherwise prescribed, a 1 cm long strand of ointment is applied to the eye 3 to 5 times a day. Floxal® is not suitable for children under one year of age or for pregnant and nursing women. Bepanthen® Eye and Nose Ointment is available in pharmacies but not on prescription.
It can be used as an adjuvant to treat damage or irritation of the cornea or conjunctiva and the nasal mucous membrane. The active ingredient dexpanthenol (5%) promotes wound healing in damaged nasal mucous membranes or on the epithelium of the conjunctiva and cornea. It is important that the tube once applied in the nose should not be used for the eye to avoid contamination. In addition, Bepanthen® eye and nose ointment cannot alleviate inflammation, so that its use is more suitable for post-treatment of the barley grain.
How do eye ointments affect the barleycorn?
If an antibiotic eye ointment is prescribed by an ophthalmologist for a barleycorn, the active ingredient is usually erythromycin, gentamicin or ofloxacin. The latter have a bactericidal effect, while erythromycin has a bacteriostatic effect. Bactericidal means that the bacterium is killed directly, while bacteriostatic drugs prevent the bacteria from multiplying.
By reducing the number of bacteria, the inflammation can heal. Non-prescription eye ointments can then be used to aid healing. Their active ingredients serve to disinfect and regenerate the damaged mucous membrane or conjunctiva.
Using an eye ointment against a barleycorn should show a clear improvement of the symptoms within 1 week at the latest. If this is not the case, the ophthalmologist should be consulted again. The non-prescription eye ointments can then be used to support healing.
Their active ingredients serve to disinfect and regenerate the damaged mucous membrane or conjunctiva. Using an eye ointment against a barleycorn should show a clear improvement of the symptoms within 1 week at the latest. If this is not the case, the ophthalmologist should be consulted again.
