Halloween is the one day of the year you can dress up as someone you are not. It is a fun tradition for family and friends to enjoy trick or treating together. However, it is important to be careful and safe especially when it comes to your eyes. Lots of people put contacts in to change their eye color or wear masks and face paint. It is important to be aware of what you are putting on your eyes to make sure they do not cause injuries. Here are our tips on how to have fun and keep your eyes safe this Halloween!
Halloween Makeup
Halloween makeup can be different than everyday cosmetics. Keeping your eye healthy while wearing makeup is important. Makeup can be the key part of a Halloween costume, so it is important to check the ingredients before putting them on your face and around your eyes.
Make sure you are using makeup that is fragrance-free. Fragrance can irritate your eyes and make for a not-so-fun trick or treat! Make sure to patch test a small area of makeup on your skin before applying it all over.
Try your best to not apply any makeup to the inside of your lash line. This can increase irritation and dryness around your eye.
Avoid using glitter near the eye. They can migrate into the eye and cause damage, infections, and irritation.
Costume Accessories
While sometimes a pirate's sword or a witch's wand can complete a Halloween costume, it can be an eye hazard if you or someone's eye gets poked. You may want to opt for soft accessories made from foam that are less likely to harm your eye.
Masks
Masks can be a safety hazard if not worn properly. Before you head out to trick or treat, make sure all masks and caps are on properly and not blocking your eyes or on too tight. If a mask is rubbing too close to the eye or is too tight, it could cause irritation and poor circulation.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can change or enhance your Halloween look if you want to change the color of your eye or the size of your pupils. Although these contact lenses may not alter your vision, according to the CDC, it is illegal for retailers to sell contacts without a prescription. Not only is it illegal, but contacts that are not fitted properly to your eye can be very harmful. They can cause eye infections due to the buildup of bacteria and lack of airflow. They can also scratch and cut the cornea because they are not fitted properly.
If you are interested in wearing contacts this Halloween, make sure to contact your eye doctor to purchase from an authorized retailer and receive a prescription.
Halloween Injuries
All these safety precautions mentioned above can cause injury to your eyes if they are not taken seriously.
Contacts: As mentioned prior, contacts can be extremely harmful to your eyes and can cause all types of infections. They can even cause irreversible damage if you are not careful. Therefore, it is better to speak to a professional before considering wearing costume contacts this Halloween.
Makeup and Glitter: If you are using any kind of makeup or glitter around your eye make sure it is hypoallergenic. If you put on makeup that is not supposed to be in your eye or around it that can cause infections and irritations. Make sure to read the label before putting on your Halloween makeup.
Poking the Eye: Make sure you or any children hold pointy props away from the eye. Poking someone in the eye can cause major discomfort and could lead to a serious injury.
Masks: If masks are not fitted properly on one’s face, the eyes, eyelashes, and lids can get irritated. This irritation can lead to discomfort, watery eyes, and more. Be sure to adjust the mask before you or any children head out the door.
How We Can Help
At Medical Arts Eye Clinic and Optical, we want to make sure your eyes are taken care of. If you have felt any discomfort after Halloween, scheduling an eye exam is never a bad idea. We can help make sure your eyes are in the best condition after the chaos from the holidays. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.