The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a warning to U.S. consumers regarding certain over-the-counter eye drops. With a growing list of more than two dozen eye products from multiple major brands, there is a heightened risk of infection. The agency emphasized that “These products are meant to be sterile.” Due to the direct application to the eyes, which bypasses many of the body’s natural defenses, there is a potential increased risk of harm to users.

Individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, as discussed by Bruce Noden, associate professor of medical/veterinary entomology at the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, may experience a sensitivity to the allergy traced back to a specific tick bite, although some were never aware of being bitten. This condition can lead to various symptoms, including skin rashes.

Harvard Health explains that drug rashes can vary, with hives appearing and moving around on the skin, often treatable with over-the-counter antihistamines. A delayed type of drug rash can also occur, emerging four to 14 days after starting new medication, and presenting as pink or red bumps on the chest and back. Chronic inflammation can lead to long-term symptoms or those that come and go, potentially contributing to various health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and depression.

Skin conditions such as impetigo, characterized by a rash and blisters, often around the nose and mouth, are most common in babies and children. The Harvard Health discusses vulvar skin conditions, noting that lichen planus causes itchy purple bumps, with possible soreness, burning, and rawness in the vulva region. When it comes to itching and infestations, the UC IPM Management Guidelines highlight that excessive scratching can lead to open wounds, increasing the risk of infection, especially if conventional treatments do not provide relief.