I have to apply a gel on the eye socket(I have ulcers there, its a chronic problem). I am thinking of applying the gel using a cotton bud. The
disinfectant is to disinfect the cotton bud.Marvin - 11-4-2015 at 04:58
So long as the cotton is clean I would use heat. Baking at 120C should be enough to kill anything nasty.
If it's not clean I'd throw it away of course.Metacelsus - 11-4-2015 at 04:59
I wouldn't put anything in my eyes about which I had any doubts whatsoever. Buying something would probably be safer.
If you just want to disinfect the cotton bud, you could put it in boiling water for a few minutes, bake it in an oven, or something like that.
You could even irradiate it. Sulaiman - 11-4-2015 at 06:44
A mild boric acid solution was used for eye wash, historically.Chemosynthesis - 11-4-2015 at 10:48
You can't, most likely. What you want is an antiseptic. Antiseptics are used on living tissue. Disinfectants are used on non-living surfaces and
equipment.Etaoin Shrdlu - 11-4-2015 at 13:25
He wants to disinfect the cotton.Chemosynthesis - 11-4-2015 at 14:01
It wasn't how he phrased the title, though. Etaoin Shrdlu - 11-4-2015 at 14:30
It was pretty explicit in the last sentence of his post; the title doesn't imply he wants an antibiotic but that he doesn't want to put something
"corrosive" near his eyeball.Chemosynthesis - 12-4-2015 at 08:09
In no way do I believe that invalidated my post, though. Either remove the disinfectant prior to application or use an antiseptic, else risk tissue
damage at some level, even if just minor irritation.macckone - 12-4-2015 at 13:25
Cotton gauze are sterilized by autoclaving or irradiation.
Boiling water is probably going to be the best you can do at home.
Buying sterile applicators is probably a better way to go, assuming
your doctor doesn't just give them to you.aga - 12-4-2015 at 14:11
All known living stuff dies with heat, as the proteins de-nature above about 67 C.
Boil the cotton buds in water for a while, allow them to cool and immediately use them.
There is no such thing as 100% safe and sterile when talking about humans.
Once boiled, your cotton bud will have around Zero living stuff on it, whereas your eye will have quite a lot of foreign living stuff on it already.
I.e. to be 100% safe, your eye, or whole head, needs boiling too.
Edit:
Some organisms have been found living on/around 'Black Smokers' (magma vents) very deep on the ocean floor at higher temperatures, although also at
vastly higher pressures too.
[Edited on 12-4-2015 by aga]Chemosynthesis - 12-4-2015 at 14:33
[Edited on 12-4-2015 by Chemosynthesis]Varmint - 12-4-2015 at 14:40
My god, I believe I've seen it all now.
How about using only what is recommended by a doctor at the least, an opthamologist even better?
Unbelievable.
aga - 12-4-2015 at 15:18
Why so ?
There isn't much Magic in the world of people ; the knowledge comes from Science.
A fully trained Doctor or Ophthalmologist will know that things die with heat, as does a Fireman.
The bacteria and virii die all the same, no matter who says they do, or what priced packaging it comes in.
Fact is that the weak link in all Sterility (as in free from all germs) is that we humans aren't : we're inherently in a symbiotic or parasitic or
downright dirty relationship with many micro beasties.
Yes, referring to a Doctor would be the OP's best bet, yet they asked here.oxalic acid - 13-4-2015 at 00:08
I have been to multiple ophthalmologists. They don't know what the ulcers/protrusions are. These things grow and shrink throughout the day. When they
grow they put pressure on my eyes and I'm in excruciating pain. I want to apply an ophthalmic gel(dexamethasone) to experiment. Loptr - 13-4-2015 at 11:08
Typically doctors have an explanation for everything, regardless of it being the actual cause.
I am surprised to hear "they don't know what it is."
Sounds like a case for.... House, dun, dun, dun....
