SKIN IRRITATION
Skin irritation can occur when using adhesive eye patches. It is particularly experienced in the start-up phase, when the skin has to get used to the eye patch, as well as in situations where the child peels the patch off repeatedly, meaning a new one has to be applied.
Tips to deal with skin irritation caused by adhesive eye patches
Larger size
If you have a younger child who uses the smallest-sized eye patch, you can choose to move up to the largest sizes for a period of time. The skin closest to the eye is more sensitive than the skin around the cheeks, and by moving up a size or two, you will be able to relieve the red area and let the slightly less sensitive skin cope with the stickiness.
Cream
The pharmacy recommended that we use Panthenol ointment, which is suitable for the care of irritated skin. This one, or any similar cream, may be used on the skin when the eye patch is not being used. Check with your pharmacist.
Give it time
At the beginning, our daughter turned red from using adhesive eye patches, regardless of which brand we tried (we tried four different ones). After a few weeks, the skin had got used to it, and now we very rarely have problems with skin irritation, even though she wears an eye patch for about five-and-a-half hours a day. So don’t give up, if you are dealing with the challenges of skin irritation – be patient and try different brands if necessary.
Motivation
Motivation can be crucial for a successful course of vision therapy – especially in periods of frustration e.g., due to irritated skin. Then an increased focus on motivation can be greatly beneficial.
Read more about our tips on: ‘Motivate your child’s eye patch therapy’.