Welders flash can be dangerous to the eyes if left untreated for long. Go through these home remedies for welders flash to overcome the condition.
Welders flash is a type of eye injury. It is caused by exposure to intense ultraviolet light wherein the cornea suffers a flash burn. The medical term is photokeratitis. This type of injury can result from:
- Looking directly at the sun
- Looking at the reflection of the sun on water or snow
- Halogen lamps
- Photographers flood lamps
- Sun lamps found in tanning salons
- Viewing solar eclipses with the naked eye
- Lightning or welding torches.
Welding torches are the most common culprits and therefore, the injury gets the name ‘Welders Flash’ or ‘Arc Eye’. We have listed some of the most popular home remedies for welders flash but we still recommend you to consult a doctor if you’ve severe symptoms.
Symptoms of Welders Flash
- Symptoms typically take anywhere from 3 to 12 hours to appear after overexposure to UV light.
- The condition can affect both eyes
- The eyes turn red, watery, and become inflamed.
- Mild to severe pain in the eyes.
- Eyes can be oversensitive to light (photosensitivity).
- It may also cause temporary blindness. If the injury is severe or infection sets in, it can even lead to permanent blindness.
- Eyes can be itchy, irritated, and feel gritty.
- The cornea usually heals within 24-48 hours and also does not leave a scar.
Helpful suggestions to deal with Welders Flash
Welders need to be equipped with protective goggles to shield their eyes from the intense, hot light while welding, which is an occupational hazard in their profession.
If you are in any other profession that involves exposure to intense, bright lights, it is advisable to take appropriate precautions such as wearing an ‘Eye Shield’. If you have been diagnosed with ‘Welders Flash’, or you think you might have this condition, you can do the following;
- Use medication prescribed by a doctor.
- Effectively treat pain with common analgesics like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or codeine. (Doctor’s suggestion is required.)
- Use anesthetic eye drops that are commonly used by doctors to examine the eyes, as this also helps block out the pain.
- Wear sunglasses to deal with photosensitivity of the eyes.
- Refrain from eye-strain causing activities like watching television and reading.
- Avoid going out in the sun.
- Do not wear contact lenses till the cornea heals.
- Don’t rub your eyes and preferably rest in a dark room.
- Do not self medicate.
- Use eye drops, ointments, or other medication on the eye, only after washing your hands.
- Drink plenty of water, use humidifiers, and eat omega-three fatty acid-rich foods to keep the eyes hydrated and relieve the irritation, itchiness, and burning pain caused by dry eyes.
- Wash the eyelids with clean water often to cool them, reduce dryness, and wash out irritants and allergens.
- Do not drive.
- Wear protective glasses till the eyes heal.
Home Remedies For Welders Flash
1. Using Potatoes
What You Need
- One potato
- A clean washcloth
- Water
Steps
- Peel and grate the potato.
- Wet the washcloth and squeeze out excess water.
- Place the grated potato in two small mounds on the washcloth, next to each other with 1 to 2 cm distance between them.
- Wrap the washcloth around the mounds and place it in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
- Place this on both the eyes for 15 minutes.
- Repeat twice a day.
Potatoes have a cooling effect and reduce inflammation, thus reducing pain, itchiness, and irritation.
2. Milk
What You Need
- Cow or breastmilk
- A cotton ball
Steps
- Dip the cotton ball in the milk and apply directly on the eyes; leave it for 2 -3 minutes, then wipe off with a clean wet washcloth.
- Repeat twice a day.
Breastmilk contains lactose, epidermal growth factor (EGF), which aids wound healing, oligosaccharides, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which relieve dryness in the eyes, lubricates, and relieves pain. Bovine milk‘s lactoferrin has also been found to enhance the corneal epithelial layer’s healing in lab experiments
3. Teabags
What You Need
- One used teabag (green tea or chamomile tea)
Steps
- Place the teabag in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Place the cold tea bag on the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this twice a day.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and tannins. These aid in healing styes and conjunctivitis. Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mildly astringent properties that soothe irritated skin, eye disorders like blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, and chronic dry eye. It alleviates welders flash symptoms. Drinking green tea also helps improve eye tear film quality.
4. Ice pack
It reduces inflammation and numbs the pain. Place the ice pack on the eyes for a few minutes and repeat it often during the day.
5. Cucumber
What You Need
- Two slices of cucumber
Steps
- Cut two thick slices of cucumber and keep them in the refrigerator to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Remove and place on eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do this 2-3 times a day.
Cucumber has cooling and soothing properties which relieve dryness, irritation, itchiness, and inflammation of the skin around the eyes. It also hydrates and moisturizes the eye.
6. Rosewater
What You Need
- Rose water
- Cotton ball
Steps
- Dip the cotton ball in cold rose water and place over the eyes for 10 minutes.
- Repeat twice a day.
Rosewater has analgesic and antiseptic properties which ease pain and fight infection. Moreover, eye drops prescribed to treat dry eyes and conjunctivitis usually have rose water as an ingredient.
7. Almond oil
What You Need
- 1-2 drops pure almond oil
Steps
- Apply on eyelids and under the eyes.
- Leave for as long as possible.
- Do this two times a day.
Almond stimulates tear production, aids tear film stability in dry eyes, and relieves irritation.
8. Wet cloth
What You Need
- Face towel or napkin
- Coldwater
Steps
- Dip towel in cold water, squeeze out extra, place on the eye for 10-15 minutes 2 times a day.
This helps in reducing swelling and pain.
9. Banana
What You Need
- 1/2 banana
- Spoon
Steps
- Peel and mash the banana with a spoon.
- Apply a generous amount of the pulp on your eyelids and keep it on for 5 minutes.
- Rinse with plain water and repeat two times a day.
Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and nutrients, which help heal eye fatigue and inflammation.
10. Castor oil
- Use pure organic castor oil as an eye drop but be sure not to use more than 2 drops each eye. If you’re afraid of using castor oil, then purchase eye drop that has castor oil in it. Most commercial eye drops have castor oil as a main ingredient.
Castor oil facilitates lipid production in the eyes, controls evaporation of tears, and also soothes irritation.
11. Aloe Vera gel
- Apply 2 drops of aloe vera gel on each eye lid and keep it on for 5-10 minutes before washing with plain water.
- Do this twice a day.
Aloe vera has soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain, redness and promote fast healing
12. Vicks Vapor Rub
- This is an odd hack but does work. Apply this ointment under the eyes two times a day.
The menthol in the ointment will cause the eyes to sting and water, thus promoting hydration and easing irritation. Welders are said to carry this ointment in their lunch bags. Be careful to avoid the ointment from getting into the eyes.
When to seek medical help?
If the symptoms are accompanied or followed by worsening vision, blurry vision, or flashing spots of light in the eye, then it is better to seek medical help immediately.
Medical treatment includes
- Preservative-free eye drops.
- Topical steroid to combat inflammation.
- Covering the eyes with a padded dressing.
- Dilating drops to relax the eye muscles and also help them rest and heal.
- Antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Review in 24 to 48 hours to check the healing process.
Now that you know these home remedies for welders flash, let us know how this article helped you!