Use Ice Packs for Eye Injuries
Black eyes and bruises are common injuries in both children and adults. Adults often get black eyes from sports or from facial cosmetic procedures. Parents, however, can become worried when a child develops a black eye after an injury. Here are some tips on how to treat these:
- Acetaminophen helps with swelling and pain (if your child is under six months of age, try ibuprofen).
- An ice pack can be created, consisting of a re-sealable plastic bag filled with ice cubes and wrapped in a cloth or towel. This should be gently placed on the injury.
- A frozen pack of peas or corn is commonly used for black eyes.
- An “ice towel” can be used, which is a towel that has been dampened with cold water and the excess water squeezed out. The towel is folded, put into a plastic bag, and put into a freezer for 15 minutes. It is then removed and placed on the eye. Because it is only a light-weight towel being placed on the eye, it may be gentler than an ice pack.
Avoid cooling packs that are chemical-based. If the chemicals leak, they can cause serious eye injuries.
Most black eyes are minor injuries. Some, however, can signify a serious injury. Watch out for serious pain, loose skin around the eyes or face or fluid buildup. If any of these symptoms present themselves, go to the emergency room. If you have any questions regarding your eye health, contact Doctors for Visual Freedom in Chicago at 312.291.9680 or doctorsforvisualfreedom.com to schedule an appointment.
