Urgent 'pink eye' alert issued ahead of Glastonbury festival

Wales Online

5 days ago

Urgent 'pink eye' alert issued ahead of Glastonbury festival
Crowded festivals such as Glastonbury serve as hotspots for bacteria
Regular handwashing with soap and water is key to preventing the spread of bacteria
(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty )
The countdown to the Glastonbury Festival has started, with over 200,000 ticket holders excitedly anticipating the opening of the gates later this month. From Wednesday, June 25, to Sunday, June 29, the fields of Worthy Farm in Somerset will welcome one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the world.
As the UK gears up for festival season - from Glastonbury to Wireless and Latitude - hundreds of thousands will be packing tents, glitter, and sunnies. But there's one thing many won't see coming: conjunctivitis.
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GP Nisa Aslam of Goldeneyecare - a range of pharmacy drops and ointments to treat conjunctivitis, styes and blepharitis - is warning festival-goers to keep eye health on their radar. "Festivals can be a breeding ground for eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye)," she said.
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"Late nights, shared sleeping arrangements, poor hygiene, dehydration, and all that glittery eye makeup and false lashes create the perfect storm for eye irritation and infection." It's not just bacteria to watch out for - allergy sufferers are also at risk. "Around half the UK population gets hay fever symptoms. When they affect the eyes, it's known as Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis," the health expert said.
"Grass pollen is the most common cause, and peaks in summer, right when festivals are in full swing," she added. "Itchy, watery eyes are more likely to be rubbed - which increases the chance of introducing harmful bacteria. Dehydration is also common at festivals and that can create dry eyes that make them more susceptible to incoming bacteria and pathogens."
Glastonbury Festival works hard when the event is on to maintain cleanliness in all public facilities
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Contact lens wearers face additional risks. With four million people in the UK using lenses, the lack of proper sanitation, like clean showers and toilets, can be a serious issue. "Contact lenses are magnets for dust and grime," says Dr Aslam. "Wearing them in dirty environments, or sleeping in them after a long night, significantly raises the risk of infection."
Glastonbury Festival can pose hygiene difficulties because of the massive crowds and the outdoor setting. Although there are initiatives to uphold cleanliness, the circumstances may not always be perfect, particularly in places such as restrooms and showers.
People often express concerns about long wait times, insufficient facilities, and the possibility of inadequate cleanliness in toilets. Shower access can be restricted, and lines may be lengthy. Muddy areas, dust, and close contact with others can complicate efforts to maintain cleanliness.
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Bacteria spreads more easily in busy and crowded areas
According to Glastonbury Festival's website, the event strives to offer toilets, showers, and hand sanitisers. Although the festival provides numerous resources for keeping things clean, such as 850 wash basins, standpipes with drinkable water that is regularly checked for quality and hand sanitisers, the vast size of the event and the large number of attendees can pose a challenge to maintaining hygiene.
Attendees can maintain cleanliness by packing wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and a compact collapsible bucket for washing. Food vendors at the festival must adhere to rigorous hygiene regulations. Somerset Council has also shared information on how to prevent the spread of diseases, such as measles, and provides guidance on STD testing.
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How can you avoid conjunctivitis?
The NHS says: "Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment. Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye. It usually affects both eyes and makes them: red, burn or feel gritty, produce pus that sticks to lashes, itch and water."
There are several steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Start by washing your eyelids with clean water. Boil some water, allow it to cool, and then gently wipe your eyelashes with a clean cotton wool pad to remove any crusts (use one pad for each eye). Apply a cold flannel to your eyes for a few minutes to help soothe them.
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to get better.
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Avoid wearing contact lenses until your eyes have healed. A pharmacist can assist with conjunctivitis. Consult a pharmacist regarding conjunctivitis. They can provide guidance and recommend eyedrops or antihistamines to relieve your symptoms.
It's crucial for festival-goers to recognise possible hygiene concerns and take measures to remain as clean and healthy as they can. GP Nisa Aslam offers her top five tips to help revellers protect their eyes from potentially painful eye infections without killing the vibe.
GP Nisa Aslam's top five tips
1. Don't share makeup
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The GP says: "Share the music, not your mascara. Swapping eyeliner or false lashes is a fast track to eye infections like pink eye."
2. Rethink your lenses
'Consider rocking some funky glasses for the weekend instead. If you must wear lenses, opt for daily disposables - and always wash your hands before putting them in," she added.
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3. Pack a first-aid kit
'If you do get an eye infection, treat it immediately." The GP recommends eye drops or ointment that contains propamidine isethionate and dibrompropamidine isethionate - antiseptics (not antibiotics). These help to stop bacteria from growing and multiplying, and as a result, control the number of bacteria causing an infection.
4. Use glitter wisely
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The GP explained: "Stick to body glitter. Even sparkly or metallic eye makeup should be used with caution, as they contain tiny specks of glitter that can cause irritation that could lead to infection if they fall into the eye. If you wear contact lenses, this could be even worse."
5. Hands off
"Festivals aren't the cleanest places," Dr Aslam said. "Avoid touching your eyes, and if you must wipe them, use a clean tissue and bin it straight after."
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