The months from June to September bring summer showers in most states of India. Depending on where you live, your city or town may experience light, moderate or heavy rainfall during this season. If you like the monsoon, these may be some of the best months of the year. However, no matter how heavy or light the rains are and how much or little you like them, there is one condition that you need to be careful about — conjunctivitis.
What is Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis?
There is a thin and clear membrane that protects your eye from dust, grime and other micro-particles every day. This membrane is known as the conjunctiva. When this membrane is infected or inflamed, the condition is known as pink eye or conjunctivitis. The blood vessels in the conjunctiva become irritated and swollen, making them redder and more visible. This leads to a pinking tinge all over the white part of the eye, leading to the term ‘pink eye.’
While this condition can be irritating or even painful, it does not affect your vision in any manner. However, it is important to take some essential precautions because conjunctivitis can be contagious.
The Link Between Conjunctivitis and the Monsoons
Depending on the cause, there are different types of conjunctivitis like bacterial and viral conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis. During the rainy season, conjunctivitis or pink eye is more common because the weather is conducive to the growth of viruses and bacteria. The rise in humidity and the drop in heat allow these microorganisms to thrive more than they do in the summer.
This, in turn, increases the chances of coming into contact with viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye. The level of allergens in the atmosphere may also rise during the rainy season, leading to a rise in the number of allergic conjunctivitis cases. This, coupled with poor personal hygiene and easy contamination, can often lead to widespread cases of pink eye during the rainy season.
If someone in your home or workplace is affected, it is best to allow them to rest and recover in isolation if possible. This will allow other members of your family to remain healthy. That said, there are some tips and tricks that can help limit the spread of this infection even if isolation is not an option.
4 Tips to Prevent Pink Eye This Rainy Season
There are many simple things you can do on a daily basis to ensure that no matter how intense the monsoon season may be, you don’t fall victim to conjunctivitis. Here’s a closer look at some such solutions.
- Practise Good Personal Hygiene
Wash your hands regularly with soap and lukewarm or warm water, particularly before you touch your face or eyes, and after you have touched any potential contaminant. This will help ensure that your hands are clean and devoid of any allergens or contaminants that could lead to pink eye.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Items
Personal artefacts like hand towels, towels, eye makeup and other cosmetics, eyeglasses and eye drops can all end up spreading the infection if you are not careful. During the monsoons in particular (but at all times in general), avoid sharing these personal items with others or borrowing them from other people.
- Wash Your Bedding in Hot Water
Your bedding like bedspreads, blankets and especially your pillow covers need to be clean and contaminant-free. So, wash these items at appropriate intervals using hot water and adequate detergent. This will help kill most germs, thus ensuring that you do not catch conjunctivitis from anybody else in your living space.
- Clean Your Contact Lenses
Even if you do not share your contact lenses with other people, you frequently touch them at the time of removing or wearing the lenses. If your hands are not clean, it could contaminate the lenses. And when you wear them the next time, the infection could take root in your conjunctiva. To avoid this, make sure you always wash the lenses with an appropriate lens-cleaning solution.
Conclusion
While conjunctivitis itself may not require any hospitalization in most cases, the rainy season may also bring in other infections like dengue and malaria. These conditions require more extensive medical care and hospitalization for a few days or so. With a health insurance plan in your financial portfolio, you can be prepared for these medical emergencies.
In case you or anyone in your family covered by your medical insurance policy falls sick and is hospitalized, all you need to do is check if the emergency and related expenses are covered by your insurance. Then, file your claim with the insurer, and a health insurance TPA will process it promptly. If your claim is verified and approved, your insurer will either reimburse your costs or directly settle them with the hospital as per the nature of the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monsoon Eye Care and Conjunctivitis
What is conjunctivitis and how is it related to the monsoon season?
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an eye condition where the thin protective membrane covering the eye becomes inflamed or infected. During the monsoon season, conjunctivitis becomes more prevalent due to the favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to thrive in the humid and damp environment.
Why does conjunctivitis become more common during the rainy season?
The increased humidity and lowered temperatures during the monsoon provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and viruses that cause conjunctivitis. These microorganisms spread more easily in such conditions, increasing the likelihood of infection.
What are the different types of conjunctivitis that can occur during the monsoon?
During the monsoon, you might encounter bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis result from infections, while allergic conjunctivitis occurs due to heightened allergens in the air during this season.
How can I prevent pink eye or conjunctivitis during the monsoon season?
Practicing good personal hygiene is key. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face or eyes, and keep personal items like towels and cosmetics to yourself. Additionally, maintaining cleanliness around you and maintaining eye health practices can help prevent conjunctivitis.
Is conjunctivitis contagious? How can I avoid spreading it?
Yes, conjunctivitis can be contagious. Avoid close contact with infected individuals, and if you’re affected, wash your hands often and refrain from touching your eyes. Personal items like towels, makeup, and eye drops should not be shared.
What are some personal hygiene habits to protect against eye infections?
Regularly washing your hands with soap and water, especially before touching your face or eyes, can significantly reduce the risk of eye infections. Keep your face clean, avoid rubbing your eyes, and ensure you’re using clean tissues.
Why is it important to avoid sharing personal items during the monsoon?
Sharing personal items like towels and cosmetics can easily spread infections, including conjunctivitis. Especially during the monsoon when infections are more prevalent, it’s best to use your own items to minimize the risk of contamination.
How does humidity and weather impact the prevalence of eye infections?
Humidity creates an environment where bacteria and viruses can thrive. The monsoon’s combination of humidity and warmth provides an ideal setting for the growth and transmission of these microorganisms.
Are there specific precautions for contact lens wearers during the monsoon?
Contact lens wearers need to be extra cautious during the monsoon. Always wash your hands before handling your lenses, clean them with a proper solution, and avoid wearing them when your eyes are irritated due to infection or allergies.
What other health concerns should I be aware of during the rainy season, apart from conjunctivitis?
In addition to conjunctivitis, the monsoon can bring an increased risk of diseases like dengue and malaria due to stagnant water. It’s crucial to take preventive measures, such as using mosquito repellents and keeping your surroundings clean, to stay healthy during this season.