Pus in the eye - what's behind it?

introduction

Pus usually arises from a bacterial or viral infection, it is the cell debris or degradation products of the cells that fight against invading pathogens. If there is pus in the eye, the person affected already has an infection, which is mostly located in the eye itself or on the eyelids. The pus usually appears as a thick whitish-yellowish liquid and can appear in various places in or on the eye.

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causes

Various causes can be considered as triggers for a festering eye. Bacterial infections are particularly common. Conjunctivitis or conjunctivitis in medical jargon is one of the classic bacterial infectious diseases of the eye that can present with pus in the eye. Different pathogens can be responsible for the inflammation. Conjunctivitis can also arise indirectly, so to speak, in that a foreign body or an infection of the eyelid irritates or spreads to the conjunctiva, thereby causing an infection.

Read more about this: Conjunctivitis

A stye causes an infection of the eyelid. Typically, the stye presents with swelling, reddening and central pus formation.
In addition to bacteria, viruses can also be responsible for a purulent eye. Above all, the herpes viruses and the so-called adenoviruses should be mentioned here.

Stye

The stye represents a bacterial inflammation of certain glands (Meibomian or Zeis glands) of the eyelid. It is one of the most common diseases of the eye and typically presents with a painful little lump on the upper or lower eyelid. This is accompanied by redness and swelling and usually shows a pus core located in the center. The pus-filled nodule can open up spontaneously, which can then lead to the appearance of the festering eye.
Occasionally, abscesses (encapsulated cavities filled with pus) can develop from the small inflammatory nodes. however, barley grains usually heal without complications. To treat a stye, antibiotic eye drops can optionally be used, gentamicin eye drops are particularly common here.

Read more on the topic: Antibiotic eye drops

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can occur due to various pathogens or as part of an allergy. In addition, there are also non-infectious causes that can cause conjunctivitis. These include, among other things, heavy strain on the eyes, for example through intensive work at a computer screen.
There are typical symptoms of conjunctivitis, including:

• Reddened, burning, itchy eyes
• Foreign body sensation
• Sore eyes
• purulent or clear discharge from the eyes.

Depending on the trigger of the inflammatory reaction, the symptoms can show different degrees. Conjunctivitis, which is due to an infection with bacteria or viruses, is the most common cause of a purulent eye. In this context, the pus in the eye arises from the immune cells, which migrate into the eye in the event of an inflammation with bacteria or viruses and whose cell debris and antibodies appear as whitish-yellowish secretions.

In addition to various bacteria, the pathogens causing conjunctivitis also include certain viruses, for example the so-called adenoviruses. These are often responsible for colds, especially in children. Conjunctivitis with adenoviruses carries a high risk of infection, especially in the stage of purulent secretion. In medical terminology, this is referred to as “contagious”. In order to avoid spreading, it is therefore essential to take strict hygienic measures.
Another cause of conjunctivitis can be chlamydia. These lead to small nodular or vesicular changes on the inside of the upper or lower eyelid and can also be associated with a purulent discharge. In adults, chlamydial infection occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse. If one of the partners in the genital area is infected with chlamydia, it can be transmitted to the eye, especially through contact with the hands.

Read more on the topic: Treatment of conjunctivitis

Cold in babies / toddlers

If babies or toddlers have a cold, it can also lead to inflammation of the eye. In this case, the spread of the infection through a so-called smear infection leads to the eye inflammation. This is understood to mean the transmission of pathogens through contact with the hands.
The infection of the eye in the context of a cold is particularly common as conjunctivitis. In addition to other symptoms, this can also present with a purulent eye.

In babies and toddlers, viruses are mostly responsible for colds, especially the so-called adenoviruses. In contrast to other viruses, these are extremely contagious but can usually be regarded as harmless. As a rule, the healing of the conjunctivitis runs parallel to the resolution of the cold symptoms.

In the case of bacterial colds that are accompanied by an infection of the eye, treatment with antibiotic eye drop ointments may be necessary.

Read more on the topic: Conjunctivitis in the baby

diagnosis

An infection of the eye can present with typical symptoms, in addition to pus in or on the eye, a painful, reddish eye can also appear. As a layperson, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of a purulent eye. A visit to the doctor is therefore advisable. In the case of conjunctivitis, a specialist is often enough, but he can also carry out special examinations to find the cause

Concomitant symptoms

In addition to pus in the eye, other symptoms can appear, especially if the conjunctiva is inflamed. These include an itchy or burning sensation, a reddened eye, a foreign body sensation, sensitivity to light and increased flow of tears. Not all of these symptoms are always present with conjunctival infection. A stye can also lead to swelling of the eyelid. There is a small nodule with pus on the lid, which is presented on a reddened background.

Pain

Pain with pus in the eye usually indicates inflammation in the eye. For example, uveitis (inflammation of the vascular skin of the eye) can lead to pain in the eye. Depending on whether the anterior segment of the eye (Iritis = Inflammation of the iris), the middle segment of the eye (Cyclitis = Inflammation of the ciliary body = middle eye skin) or the posterior segment of the eye (Choroiditis = Inflammation of the choroid, Retinitis = Inflammation of the retina, Vitritis = Inflammation of the vitreous humor), the pain can be in different places. Often, however, the pain cannot be easily assigned to the entire eye. In addition, they can radiate into different regions (mostly forehead and temples) and thus also cause headaches.

Read more on the subject at: Pain in the eye

fever

In most cases, a fever is a sign of an infection that affects the whole body. Initially, the infection occurs in one place, where the skin becomes red, swelling and overheating occur. When the entire immune system is turned on to fight the cause of the infection, a fever typically occurs. This helps the body fight the pathogens.

If fever and pus occur in the eye at the same time, there are two possible explanations: There may be a systemic disease (affecting the whole body) (this could be a cold, for example), this leads to fever and at the same time triggers a disease of the eye with pus formation . The other explanation would be an infection of the eye that spreads from there and increasingly demands the entire immune system to fight it.

treatment

Therapy for a purulent eye depends on the trigger. A bacterial infection, e.g. conjunctivitis, is usually treated with an antibiotic. This is then mostly applied in the form of drops or as an ointment. If the bacterial infection is accompanied by complications, oral antibiotics can be given, but this is an exception.

In the case of inflammation of the eyelid glands such as stye, local antibiotic treatment can also be used; gentamicin eye drops in particular have proven to be effective here. In the case of viral infections of the eye, a distinction must be made between pathogens. Some do not require drug intervention.

You can find detailed information at: How do you treat a stye?

For others, such as the herpes virus, treatment should be given to prevent the virus from progressing or spreading and the associated deterioration.

If a foreign body in the eye is the cause of a festering eye, it must of course be removed as soon as possible. It is best for those affected to seek out an ophthalmologist, as he has the right instruments for this on the one hand and can work under sterile conditions on the other.

In general, it is important to literally “keep your hands off” of a purulent eye. Through contact, pathogens can get into the eye or germs can be carried away from one eye and thus lead, for example, to an infection of the other eye. In the event of contact with the infected eye, those affected should always pay attention to hygienic measures, before and after contact with the eye, hand disinfection should be carried out in addition to hand washing.

Also read: How dangerous is an eye infection?

What's the point of an antibiotic?

Antibiotics are drugs that target specific groups of bacteria. For this reason, antibiotic therapy initially only makes sense if the pus in the eye is triggered by a bacterial disease. Since bacterial infections often progress faster than viral diseases, treatment with an antibiotic makes sense here in most cases. For example, bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated well with antibiotic eye drops. A sinus infection caused by bacteria can also be treated with antibiotics. If there are strong accumulations of pus in the eye, which are in turn colonized by bacteria, antibiotic therapy should also be started.

Read more on the subject at: Treatment of conjunctivitis

Duration

The duration of a festering eye always depends on the cause. An uncomplicated infection with bacterial or viral pathogens can be expected to heal within a few days to a few weeks. In the case of a foreign body, the symptoms can improve shortly after removal. If there is a reinfection of the eye, i.e. a renewed infection, the symptoms can appear longer. Those affected should then rather consult an ophthalmologist if there is no improvement or if the symptoms worsen again.

What is an abscess on the eye?

An abscess is a collection of pus that is completely isolated from its surroundings. They usually have a shell that the body forms to protect itself from the source of infection. An abscess on the eye describes a collection of pus near the eye. Frequent causes for this are injuries to the eye and the surrounding structures, in which pathogens can simultaneously penetrate the wound. But illnesses such as a cold can also send germs in the direction of the eye and thus lead to an abscess on the eye.

Read more on the subject at: Abscess on the eye

To treat an abscess, it is often sufficient to puncture the encapsulated pus cavity with a needle or to cut it with a scalpel. It must then be ensured that the pus can drain away undisturbed. Occasionally, however, the entire abscess must be surgically removed. This is especially the case with large abscesses on the eye. But even if important structures of the eye are directly threatened, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Read more on the subject at: Treatment of an abscess