Many of us pack this inexpensive travel gadget as a way of getting some additional sleep while we’re on a plane, but a warning has been issued that one bad habit can lead to a nasty infection
Planes can be bright and overstimulating places, which is why taking out an eye mask and blocking it all out can be a sweet relief for holidaymakers.
But frequent travellers are warning that wearing a reusable eye mask against the eyelids for hours can cause a build-up of make-up, skin oils, dirt, and moisture, with this residue potentially leading to infections such as blepharitis.
While clean, correctly fitted masks are generally safe to wear, grubby masks or those that aren’t properly dried could cause irritation, especially if worn on repeated journeys. Tina Patel, a contact lens optician from Feel Good Contacts, previously told Wales Online: “Too often, we pack our sunglasses, glasses, and lenses – but pack bad habits too.”
She explained: “People think of eye masks as a harmless way to block out light, but on a plane, they can also be a breeding ground for germs. Add contact lens into the mix and you have a greater chance of infection.”
Tina said travelers should look out for certain types of accessories: “If you do choose to wear an eye mask, look for an eye mask with antibacterial properties, like Sterileyes, which can kill 99.9% of bacteria on the fabric. Choose an eye mask which is properly fitted to avoid putting any pressure on your eyes. Also, make sure to remove contact lenses before napping on a flight, and make sure you use a freshly washed mask. It could save you from having a ruined holiday, or worse,” she said.
Planes can be breeding grounds for germs, and in addition to checking any travel accessories, passengers should also make themselves aware of the dirtiest parts of a plane.
A viral TikTok posted by @The_lab_life, who specialises in science content, showed her taking swabs from various parts of a plane, incubating the samples to see which areas had the most bacteria.
The areas tested included the headrest, tray table, and the notch that opens it, and the toilet door handle. All tested areas came back with a variety of bacteria named, such as streptococcus, which can cause infections in the nose, ears, and throat. But the good news is, the results were “much better than expected”, with the scientist concluding the results were consistent with the levels of germs found in many public places.
The NHS names the symptoms of blepharitis as:
- sore eyelids
- itchy eyes
- a gritty feeling in the eyes
- flakes or crusts around the roots of the eyelashes
- eyelids sticking together in the morning when you wake up
It warns that symptoms can come and go, and advises anyone with the condition to clean their eyelids twice a day and see a pharmacist if they need further advice.
While the NHS advises that the condition is “not usually serious”, it warns that you should call 111 or get an urgent GP appointment if you experience pain in your eyes, changes to your vision, such as vision loss or blurred vision, or very red eyes, as these can be signs of a more serious eye conditon.
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