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6 potentially harmful household products that can affect the eyes

6 potentially harmful household products that can affect the eyes

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly half of all eye injuries happen at home. Whether it’s a cleaning product that burns your eyes or a potential hazard around your home, it is vital to be aware of potentially harmful household products that could hurt your eyes and affect your vision. Here are six products that you must take precautions with when using them to protect your and your loved ones’ sight:

  • Cleaning supplies: Cleaning products often comprise chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, triclosan, and formaldehyde, which can lead to severe irritation, inflammation, and burning if they come into contact with your eyes. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use. Avoid mixing two or more different products. When using cleaners, remember to keep the area well-ventilated to get rid of any toxic fumes, spray with the nozzles facing away from your face, refrain from using strong chemicals in small spaces, and use safety gear, such as goggles and gloves, when using products like oven cleaners, stain removers, degreasers, toilet cleaners, and other potent disinfectants.
  • Mascara: Liquid eye products, such as mascara, can be home to many germs. Doctors recommend replacing these products every three months to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup that may cause eye irritation or inflammation. Small particles in powdered products such as eyeshadow or setting powder can also lodge under your eyelids, increasing your risk of infection. Be sure to wash off your makeup well before going to bed. Avoid using certain brands or products if the irritation persists.
  • Screws and nails: If you’re handy around the house, or a keen DIY-er, be sure to use safety goggles during your projects, especially when using screws and nails. This is because wall or cement fragments may go flying during hammering or drilling, which poses a potential risk to your eyes.
  • Contact lens case: Like most containers, your contact lens cases can develop a dirty film over time, even if you care for them properly. Using a dirty lens case can increase your chances of an eye infection or vision problems. Remember to clean your lens case with disinfectant and dry it upside down regularly. Swap out your case for a new one every three to six months.
  • Candles: Candles can also cause your eyes to burn because of their fragrance. Many fragrances are made with potentially hazardous chemicals, such as acetone, linalool, and benzaldehyde, which can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs and lead to severe infections. Switch over to unscented beeswax candles for a safer candle-burning experience.
  • VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): VOCs are commonly found in solvents, paints, furniture, and carpets and can irritate the skin and eyes. They can also impact the quality of the air in your home. To reduce their occurrence in your home, switch to VOC-free cleaners, avoid using carpet cleaners and stain guards, and use a VOC air filter.

Ovens, another essential household appliance, can also pose a risk to the eyes due to its radiant heat, intense light, and hot vapors. Prolonged exposure to these factors, especially radiation or heat, may affect the front layer of the cornea and lead to issues like eye discomfort, pain, blurry vision, or watering. Implementing protective measures like ensuring proper ventilation and avoiding close proximity to working appliances can help minimize these hazards.

Several other household products can be potentially hazardous for your eyes. Some examples are shampoos and soaps with alkaline-based chemicals, insect repellents, laundry detergents, softener sheets, and lawn care chemicals. Switch to organic products with fewer chemicals that may irritate your eyes when possible.

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Think of the human body as a car. Pouring the cheapest gasoline (unhealthy food) in a car can damage the engine (bodily organs). Instead, if you can take care of yourself by committing to fitness via proper nutrition, it can take you a long way. In a recent study, it was found that approximately 55 percent of people derive daily calories from refined and processed foods. This can be counterproductive as these foods are full of unhealthy fats and devoid of essential nutrients. How are fitness and nutrition related to each other? Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand. Consuming foods containing healthy nutrients enables your body to function in a way conducive to physical and mental well-being. You may find yourself becoming more active, and burning calories off in a healthy manner. If you continue to maintain an exercise routine without getting adequate nutrition, it will have an adverse effect. So, here are some useful tips that can help you to be at the top of your health game: Keep a tab on your calories This is one of the smartest tips to stay healthy. Several diet plans focus on the number of calories that need to be eaten each day.
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Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

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The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.

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