Pink eye is one of the most common types of eye infection. It also has some other scientific names, Conjunctivitis or Madras eye. During conjunctivitis, you could have an inflammation of the surface of your eye. The most common reason for the problem is either from allergy, or an infection. The infection generally triggered by virus or bacteria. There are various types of conjunctivitis depending upon the causes. The best thing is that to treat pink eye, there are numerous home remedies.
Types of Conjunctivitis with Causes:
Infectious Pink Eye:
Viral Conjunctivitis: – Viruses are the most common leading cause of conjunctivitis. They normally appear in the spring and are often accompanied by chest congestion and runny nose. People suffering from viral conjunctivitis may have swollen eyelids and the eyes may be quite sensitive to light. Along with other symptoms, water-like clear discharge from the eyes is common. This is quite contagious and does not usually require any antibiotics for treatment. The symptoms will usually last one or two weeks.
Symptoms:
- Itching and burning feel in eyelids.
- Redness in a white portion of an eye.
- The release of excess tears.
- Swelling in tender areas.
- Swelling of eyelids.
- Watery eyes, with a whitish drainage.
- Usually starts in one eye but can move to other.
- Itchiness in or around the eye.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis: – The main causes of this type are Staphylococci and Streptococci. Common symptoms include eye swelling, itching, pain, redness, and moderate to large amounts of discharge that is usually thick. This condition is only treated with specific antibiotics. Consult your doctor as soon as you get this condition.
Symptoms:
- Swelling in upper eyelid followed by mild pain.
- Redness in a white portion of an eye.
- Irritation and itchiness are very common.
- Watering eyes, with a yellow colored discharge.
- Starts in one eye and spreads to other.
Non-Infectious Conjunctivitis:
Allergies: – This is usually associated with intense tearing, itching, and swelling with little or no pain. The common causes are pollen, dust, animal dander and pollution. Conjunctivitis due to allergy is often be accompanied by the itchy nose and scratchy throat.
Symptoms:
Excessive tearing, itchiness, and discomfort usually affect both eyes at the same time.
Chemicals: – Certain types of chemicals can also cause pink eye. The most common chemicals that triggered this problem are sprays of any kind, smoke, household cleaners, foreign objects, industrial pollutants and smog. If you have been exposed to any of these chemicals then it is very important that you use lots of water to flush your eyes out.
Symptoms:
- Swelling of the upper eyelids.
- Redness in a white portion of an eye.
- Itching associated with a mild pain.
Remedies to Treat Pink Eye:
Contents
1.) Cold or Warm Compress
A cold or warm compress is used mostly to ease the swelling and itching caused by pink eye. The cold compress becomes necessary if conjunctivitis is due to allergy. Warm compresses are also brilliant to soothe the eyes. They are also a great solution to prevent the discharge from your eyes from drying. Put apply a cold or warm compress, dip a clean cloth in hot or cold water and then squeeze out excess water. Simply hold the cloth on the affected eye. Leave the cloth for five minutes there. You should repeat the process four times to treat pink eye fast and naturally. Make sure to not use the same cloth for both eyes especially if only one eye is affected.
2.) Black Tea
Black tea is a great home remedy to treat pink eye naturally. Tannins present in black tea make it a useful ingredient to reducing itching and inflammation. Furthermore, the bioflavonoids help fight viral and bacterial infections. Hold a cooled, moist black tea bag on your eyes for ten minutes. Do this, at least, four times a day and every few hours. Alternatively, use green tea or chamomile tea bags.
3.) Eyebright
Eyebright is another effective herb to treat pink eye instantly. It also helps in the treatment of bloodshot, eye sties, strained eyes and weeping eyes. The antibacterial and astringent properties of eyebright are brilliant to treat eye problems. Add few drops of eyebright tincture in a bowl of clear water and then use it as eyewash liquid. You can also boil eyebright in a bowl of water for ten minutes. Let it cool down, strain the solution and use it as an eyewash. You can also add few drops of rose water. Repeat the process every five hours.
4.) Saline Solution
This is the most popular remedy to treat pink eye fast as it works as a natural disinfectant. Take a bowl filled with water. Now, add one teaspoon of salt to it. Bring the solution to boil for some time. Allow it to cool down and use it as an eyewash. To get rid of pink eye, you should repeat the process, at least, five times a day.
5.) Apple Cider Vinegar
It has brilliant antimicrobial properties that will help you combat an infection causing pink eye. Particularly, the malic acid in filtered apple cider vinegar fights against bacterial infections. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water, mix it properly. Soak a cotton cloth in the solution. Now, close the affected eye and wipe with this cloth. You should repeat this at two hours interval to treat pink eye naturally.
6.) Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has antibiotic and astringent properties that help cure conjunctivitis naturally without any harmful effect on an eye. Soak chunks of fresh aloe Vera gel in a cup of cooled water after boiling until it turns pale green. You can also blend the pieces of aloe Vera with water in a blender. Put two drops of this mixture in the affected eye and repeat four times a day.
7.) Boric Acid
Boric acid is an excellent remedy for a number of eye problems like dryness, a burning sensation, redness, and tearing due to its mild antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also treats eye irritation and cleanses the eyes. Put one teaspoon of boric acid in a cup of water and then bring it to a boil. Let it cool down and use it as an eyewash. Repeat this three times a day.
8.) Calendula
Calendula is a medicinal herb with antibacterial and antiviral properties to fight infection and heal conjunctivitis naturally. It also has an anti-inflammatory that soothes eye irritation and discomfort. In a cup of hot water, steep few dried calendula flower. Allow the solution to cool down and strain using a coffee filter. The mixture is now ready to be used as an eyewash to treat pink eye fast.
9.) Milk and Honey
A combination of warm milk and honey can treat pink eye fast and naturally. Milk has an excellent soothing effect that calms the inflammation. Lukewarm half cup of whole milk and then mix an equal part of organic honey. Put two drops of this mixture in the affected eye using a proper eyedropper. it will sting a bit but repeat the process several times a day.
10.) Breast Milk to Treat Pink Eye
It might seem peculiar but the truth is break milk is quite effective in treating the pink eye, especially for small kids. Breast milk healing properties can treat pink eye as well as ear infections. Simply put some drops of break milk in the affected eye.