Are your eyes red, itchy, and maybe a little swollen? When you go to the doctor at a time like this, he or she may prescribe you an eye ointment. One of the most common types of medication is an eye ointment called Erythromycin. This is a very effective medication for eye infections. So today, let's talk about how to use this medication exactly, what to watch out for, and what side effects it can cause.
What is Erythromycin Ointment?
Simply put, this is an antibiotic, that is, a type of antibiotic. Its function is to control and eliminate infections caused by bacteria in the eye. Doctors often prescribe this for conditions such as bacterial conjunctivitis, which causes red, itchy eyes and swollen eyelids.
However, the most important thing here is that this medicine does not work at all for viral infections. It will not work for red eyes that come with a viral condition like the common cold. Therefore, do not go to the pharmacy to get this and use it without the advice of a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, there are a few things you should definitely tell him. Don't hide these, because they are very important for your own safety.
- Allergies: If you have any allergies to Erythromycin or any other medicine, food, or preservatives, be sure to mention it.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future, inform your doctor.
- Nursing mothers: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child, you should also mention that.
Based on this information, it will be easier for the doctor to decide whether this medication is right for you or not.
How do you apply this ointment to your eyes correctly?
Okay, this is the problem that many people have. This is very easy, but it needs to be done neatly and cleanly. Let's see how to do it step by step.
1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This is very important to prevent the spread of infection.
2. Next, sit in a chair or lie down on the bed, tilt your head back slightly, and look up.
3. With your index finger, gently pull down the eyelid under the eye where you are going to apply the medicine. This will create a small pouch-like space between the eyelid and the eye.
4. Now take the medicine tube and be careful not to let the tip of the tube touch your eyes , fingers, or any other surface. This is very important, otherwise germs can enter the tube and contaminate the medicine.
5. Gently squeeze the tip of the tube and apply a thin strip of the ointment, about the size of half a grain of rice, into the created lower eyelid pouch.
6. Then slowly close your eye and move your eyelids around to allow the medicine to spread well inside.
Your vision may be a little blurry for a few minutes after applying this, which is normal. So don't do anything that requires your attention, like driving. It will go away after a while.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Imagine you forgot to take your medicine. Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, within an hour or two), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things to be careful about when using
When using this medicine, you need to pay attention to a few other small things.
| Point to note | Description |
|---|---|
| Completion of treatment period | You should use this medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Even if you feel better in a day or two, do not stop taking it. Doing so may prevent the infection from completely healing and may cause it to come back again and again. |
| Use for children | Children may need special care when giving this medicine. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about how and how much to give your child. |
| Overdose | If you accidentally get too much of this medicine in your eyes, or if someone swallows it, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. |
| Sharing with others | This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason. Even if the other person's eyes are red, it could be due to something else. Also, it could spread infection. |
| Other eye medications | If you are using other types of eye drops or other types of ointments, tell your doctor about them. |
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. But there's nothing to worry about. Let's see what they are.
| Side effects and their nature | |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Serious Allergic Reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| The situation is getting worse. | New or worsening eye pain, redness, or discharge. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Temporary discomfort | A slight burning, itching, or discomfort may occur at the injection site. This usually goes away within a few minutes. |
If your symptoms do not improve after two or three days of using the medication, inform your doctor about that as well.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
- Be sure to keep it out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at normal room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius). Do not store in the fridge or in places with high heat.
- If the expiration date on the tube has passed, discard it without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Erythromycin is an antibiotic that is only given for eye infections caused by bacteria . It does not work for viral infections.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine to your eyes.
- Keep the tip of the medicine tube clean and do not let it touch your eyes , fingers, or anywhere else.
- Use the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if your symptoms subside.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (such as facial swelling) or increased eye pain while using the medicine, contact your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
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