100 chapter 5: Taking care of your body
If pus forms, follow the treatment information for
pinkeye (see page 99). Keep the eye closed as much as you
can. If necessary, cover it with an eye patch.
You can make a patch with any clean soft cloth or gauze
and tie it around the head (not too tightly) to keep it in place,
or
tape the cloth or gauze to the eye like this.
Do not press on the eye.
If you cannot close your eyelids (‘lid lag’), tape your eye
closed with clean cloth or gauze to prevent dryness and
infection.
To keep your eyes moist and help prevent infection, each
day put a few drops of clean salty water (a pinch of salt to one cup or glass of clean
water) into each eye.
Passing urine and stool
Some women with disabilities do not have complete control over when they pass
urine or stool. This is especially common for women whose disability affects their
muscles in the lower body, such as paralysis from polio or a spinal cord injury.
If you cannot wash your genitals by yourself, ask a family member or helper to
help you keep your genital area clean and dry. If you need to wear cloth or nappies
(diapers) to catch urine or stool, change them often to prevent rashes, infections
and sores (see page 114).
When you go outside, if possible take an extra change of clothing with you.
Then, if you lose control of your bladder or bowel and soil your clothes, you will be
able to change and avoid being embarrassed, and also avoid getting an infection.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007