Trachoma is regarded as one the most common eye infections in affecting millions of people worldwide every year. The severe complications of trachoma can even result in blindness for the patient.
Symptoms include swollen eyelids, lashes on eye known as Trichiasis, scaring of corneal, eye discharge, ear and nose complication like swelling of lymph nodes around your ears.
In some cases eye pains, itching and irritation around eyes, blurred visions, sensitivity from light and formation of mucus and pus in eye are also experienced as symptoms of trachoma.
Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria. This bacterium reside in its host unnoticed for at least 5 to 12 days until it starts showing symptoms of white lumps, red lashes and inflammation around eyes.
Trachoma is spread through direct contact with eyes, ears or nose of already infected patient. The bacteria Trachomatis can also find a way into your body, if you some how use the towels or any other medium which is also in usage of the infected host.
Unhygienic environmental conditions are also very much associated with Trachoma. The cases of this infection are mostly found in under developed countries with high poverty level and poor sanitary systems where Chlamydia Trachomatis nourishes rapidly.
Trachoma bacteria nourishes in dirt, found in environment of livestock animals. Feces of human and animals are also huge reservoir of this Chlamydia Trachomatis. Further flies are also very major means for spreading of trachoma.
Children are happen to be most affected victims of this disease as they play in dirt and are more exposed to unhygienic activities compared with adults. Trachoma is categorized into five stages with respect to its intensity, which are inflammation (follicular), inflammation (intense), eyelid scarring, trichiasis and corneal clouding.
As per their names these stages of trachoma are made according to appearance of symptoms and severity of the infection. As Trachoma starts with the initial main symptom of initial inflammation with small bumps goes up to intense inflammation of eye lids, followed by scarring of eyelids and in grown eyelashes and finally moving towards extreme inflammation totally clouding the cornea.
It is very important to maintain high hygiene conditions in your environment. Your water resources should be kept extremely clean. People living in rural areas should especially concentrate on high hygiene practices.
A good face wash is vital in treatment of trachoma. Face should be washed at least three times a day with good antiseptic soap and warm water. Keep the flies away as they act as very major carrier for the bacterium of trachoma. To keep the flies away it is extremely critical to maintain high level of clean environment.
Drinking lots of water plays a very essential role in treatment as high fluid intake cleans your body from inside easing the pain and irritation of trachoma symptoms.
Always prefer bottled water for drinking and go for fresh water for any other use. Still water can be a huge reservoir for bacteria of trachoma. Never share your personal usage items like towels, eye make up kits and bedding as they can also act as medium of spreading this disease.
