It’s pretty common to get an eyelash in your eye, and it’s usually pretty simple to remove. But, you should follow a few #tips to make sure your eye does not get hurt.
Eyelashes are the hairs at the end of your eyelid that shield your eyes from dust and debris. As you blink, the glands at the base of your lashes also lubricate your eyes. Sometimes, an eyelash falls into your eye and becomes stuck for a few minutes.
Your eyelid may feel itchy or irritated when this occurs. Your eye will likely start tearing up, and you will feel the urge to rub it.
Stay calm and follow the instructions in this article if you have an eyelash in your eye. In most cases, eyelashes can be removed without complicating matters further.
How come some people have trapped eyelashes more often than others?
Every person loses their eyelashes naturally, but some are more likely to get stray lashes caught in their eyes. It is more likely that you will experience this issue regularly if you have long eyelashes, cry frequently, or rub your eyes when tired. Avoid touching your eyes too often and use gentle movements when you wash your face to prevent it from occurring. By vigorously scrubbing the eyelid, eyelashes may become trapped in the eye.
What to look for
Your eyelashes can feel fluttery, gritty, or sharp and stinging. You may or may not feel the eyelash fall out, and it may or may not result from rubbing your eyes.
You can identify if what’s in your eye is an eyelash by standing in front of a mirror, holding your eye open, and moving your eye from side to side. It may be visible, or it may not. Here are the steps to take if you think or see an eyelash in your eye.
The best way to remove an eyelash
Follow these steps to remove an eyelash safely:
Face a mirror and gently pull the skin above your brow bone and the skin below your eye. Take a moment to look closely into your eye and see if you can see the eyelash that is floating around there.
Take a deep breath and blink several times to see if your natural tears will wash the eyelash out on their own.
If you feel that the lash is behind your upper eyelid, gently pull your upper eyelid forward and over toward your lower lid. Look up, then to your left, then to your right, and then down. Continue this process to move the eyelash toward the center of your eye.
Try gently grabbing the eyelash with a wet cotton swab if you see an eyelash drifting toward or under your lower eyelid. Do this only if the lash is on the white part of the eye.
Flushing out the eyelash with artificial tears or saline solution may help.
If none of the above steps have worked, fill a small juice cup with lukewarm, filtered water. Lower your head towards the cup and try to rinse the eyelash out.
If all else fails, you might try taking a shower and directing a gentle stream of water into your eye.
How not to do it
An eyelash floating in your eye for a few minutes can make you a little crazy. Your best strategy for removing an object from your eye is to remain calm.
Six things to never do when there is an eyelash in your eye:
- If you have contact lenses in your eye, don’t try to remove an eyelash.
- Never touch your eye without washing your hands first.
- Avoid using tweezers or any other sharp object.
- Do not drive or operate any sensitive equipment.
- Don’t ignore the eyelash and hope it will disappear.
- You don’t need to panic.
5 common hacks for removing trapped eyelashes.
First, don’t rub your eye. You may injure the eye by grinding the eyelash against the surface of the eyeball by poking and prodding it. You can use one of the following methods to remedy this situation. You can try another if the first one doesn’t work. Your sight is precious, so be careful – your eye is a delicate organ.
The first is. Try rinsing with water.
Submerge your face in a basin of clean water. Cool boiled water or bottled water is ideal. Next, blink a few times. This should easily dislodge the eyelash.
The second is. Remove the eyelash with clean fingers.
Wash your hands thoroughly with mild antibacterial soap and dry them with a clean towel. Look in a mirror to find the eyelash. Use one hand to hold the eye open and the other hand to remove the lashes. With your fingertip, gently lift the eyelash by dabbing it at the surface of the eye.
If that doesn’t work, try swiping the eyelash in a sideways motion. You can then remove the eyelash with a finger or a cotton bud dipped in water or saline solution. Note that this is more likely to work if the eyelash is stuck on the white of your eye rather than the iris. Your nails should be well-trimmed before you try this method. Otherwise, you risk scratching your eye or infecting it with harmful bacteria.
The third is: Use a saline solution and dropper.
Using an eye drop can help you remove the eyelash. Tilt your head backward and apply 2-3 drops. Be sure to blink several times.
Fourth. Sleep on it overnight.
Our eyes release natural secretions that help remove foreign objects or dirt from the eye as we sleep. Therefore, you may find that the eyelash is gone when you wake up in the morning!
Fifth is: Peel or chop an onion.
They are loaded with a chemical called syn-propanediol-S-oxide, which causes tears to be released from the eyes when released. A few minutes’ crying may be all that is needed to solve the problem.
Complications in the long run
Usually, an eyelash in your eye is a minor inconvenience that you can solve on your own.
Eyelids and eyes can be scratched if the eyelash can’t be removed. Your hands can introduce bacteria to your eye when it’s irritated. By using your fingernails or a sharp object, you can also injure the eyelid or cornea.
Each of these factors increases your risk of conjunctivitis (pink eye), keratitis, and eyelid cellulitis.
Other possible causes
If you don’t find the eyelash, you feel you have in your eye. There may be something else going on.
It is called an ingrown eyelash when an eyelash grows underneath your eyelid instead of outward. An ingrown eyelash is more likely to occur due to certain eye conditions, such as blepharitis.
Eyelashes falling out often can indicate hair loss or infection on the eyelids. If your eyelashes fall out, you might be allergic to a cosmetic product.
Your eyelids may be inflamed or dry if you often feel an eyelash or another object under your eyelid. Consult your eye doctor if these symptoms do not disappear.
How to know when to see a doctor
You may need to visit an eye doctor if you get an eyelash in your eye. Contact a professional if you experience any of the following:
- Having an eyelash stuck in your eye for more than a few hours
- Redness and tearing that persists after removing the eyelash
- Pus or mucus appearing in your eye
- You’re bleeding from the eye
Here’s the bottom line
In most cases, eyelashes in your eye can be handled by yourself at home. Before touching your eye area, always wash your hands. Do not rub your eyes. Always avoid using sharp objects such as tweezers to remove an eyelash.
A doctor or optometrist may be required to remove the eyelash in some cases safely. If eyelashes are falling into your eyes often, talk to your eye specialist.
