Eye drops linked to lethal infection urgently recalled: ‘Immediately stop using them’

Eye drops linked to lethal infection urgently recalled: ‘Immediately stop using them’© Provided by Ohmymag ENG

Antibiotic resistance

According to CNN, the CDC has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation after 55 infections including permanent vision loss, hospitalization, and one death have been recorded in 12 states in the US.

People who have sought medical care reported using at least one of more than 10 brands of artificial tears, while the majority reported using EzriCare’s product, the CDC reports.

The cases of infection varied across the cornea, intraocular fluids, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and sepsis.

Eye drops products do not contain preservatives so they lack ingredients to prevent bacterial growth. However, the CDC has tested open EzriCare bottles and identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that are extensively drug-resistant to antibiotics.

EzriCare, based in New Jersey, issued a statement to confirm that the distribution or sale of eye drops has been stopped: 

[after learning of the investigation the company] immediately took action to stop any further distribution or sale of EzriCare Artificial Tears. To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product.

Symptoms to look out for

NBC News reports that the CDC advises consumers who have used the eye drops and who report the following symptoms to immediately seek medical care: 

Yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation), increased sensitivity to light, and blurry vision.

As of Thursday, Feb 2, the product seems to have been recalled as they are no longer available on Amazon.com.

The product was produced in India and is available under different brand names in other countries. EzriCare stated that it is working with the US FDA on a recall for the product: 

We understand that the same product is also marketed under other brand names. The manufacturer, Global Pharma Healthcare PVT Limited, is working with the US Food and Drug Administration on a recall.

Sources used:

-CNN: ‘CDC advises against using EzriCare eye drops as it investigates dozens of infections and one death in 12 states’

-CDC: ‘Outbreak of Extensively Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Artificial Tears’

-NBC News: ‘CDC warns that a brand of eyedrops may be linked to drug-resistant bacterial infections’ 

 Reference: Oh My Mag Englandtory by Luan Trimi

Ask an expert: Is it better to eat cooked onions for patients with inflammation of the esophagus?

It is highly recommended that if you suffer from inflammation of the esophagus, that you should avoid consuming raw onions. This is because raw onions may aggravate the esophagus and may cause acid reflux and heartburn. Instead, you could try sautéing the onions to help reduce the chances of experiencing discomfort.

Expert opinion from Roseane M Silva

Master in Health Sciences, Bachelor in Nutrition · 7 years of experience · Brazil

To and avoid the burning symptoms, one can use the fuel reduction option, its version can reduce the onion burning process, its version is shortened.

People with esophagus inflammation should avoid eating onions, as well as garlic, caffeine, spicy foods and other irritating foods. Anyway, very well cooked onions are a better option compared to raw onions when having to choose one of these for a meal indicated to a patient that has esophagus inflammation. 

Reference: Microsoft Start Health: Jodie Bennett, Roseane M Silva, Felicitas Bouche Ocampo

Angular cheilitis Warning Signs: What to Look Out For

Angular cheilitis© Provided by Getty Images

An inflammatory condition which causes swollen red patches at corners of the mouth. It could occur either on one side or both sides of the lips at a same time.

The characteristic symptom is sores at the corner of the mouth, either on one side or both sides of the lips. The other symptoms include:

→ Common treatment options

→ How is this diagnosed?

Angular cheilitis can cause for various reasons.

Oral thrush - an infection caused by fungus candida albicans. Dribble of saliva can get accumulated in the corners of the lip, which causes the lips to crack, making it more vulnerable for yeast to grow.

More common among children and older adults, the other risk factors include

Reference: Dr. Aakash Gupta, MBBS, MD FRGUHS Dermatology

Expert opinion from Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji

Master of Science in Medicine, specialization in Human Nutrition · 2 years of experience · South Africa

Red clover has been used in traditional medicine, however, not all the claims are based on science yet. There have been reports that the red clover may help to improve hair and skin health. It has also been used to relieve some respiratory issues such as asthma.

PhD, Agronomy and Crop Science (ongoing), Master's degree, Food Science and Technology · 1 years of experience · South Africa

Red clover is a herb that has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health problems, including hot flashes, osteoporosis, arthritis, and skin and hair diseases. According to some studies, eating 40–80 mg of red clover daily may help lessen severe menopausal hot flashes.

Reference: Jen Hsu, Whitney Hills, Natalie Elia