Home Remedies For Pink Eye: Learn About Natural Cures for Conjunctivitis

What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is the inflammation or infection of the membrane called the conjunctive. It covers part of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid. Inflammation causes the small blood vessels to become more noticeable so your eye looks red. Pink eye can be caused by either a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or an allergic reaction.

Classic symptoms of pink eye are:

• One or both eyes are red.
• One or both eyes itch.
• Exessive tears.
• A yellow or green discharge from one or both eyes
• Discharge that crusts over causing the eyelids to stick together while sleeping.
• The feeling that “something” is in one or both eyes.

Pink eye is very contagious and is easily passed from person to person or the other eye.You can get pink eye from touching items an infected person touched, swimming or bathing in the same water, coughing, and other general contact with infected people.

You should start treatment when you first notice symptoms.There are several home remedies for pink eye that offers fast relief.

Why Use A Natural Cure?

People have been using natural cures as treatment for health problems for thousands of years.

There are many chemicals found in medicine prescribed by doctors today. They cause the good healthy cells in your body to be killed off at the same time as the bad ones that are causing the infection. Overuse of these medications can cause your body to form a resistance to them, making them ineffective when truly needed.

Using all natural chemicals will kill only the bad cells that are causing the infection and leave the good ones alone. There are some very effective things found in nature that can be used as home remedies for pink eye. Several of these items you probably already have on hand at home or you can purchase them at your local grocery store.

Home Remedies

You can use the following as effective home remedies for pink eye:

Breast Milk (antibiotic): Use a couple drops in the infected eye several times a day.

Honey (antiseptic): Can be used as is or mixed with a small amount of water to make it more manageable.

Potato (anti-fungal): Peel, then grate enough of a potato to cover the infected eye. Slices of potato can be used but the grated is better because it is more juicy.

Salt (antiseptic): Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Once the solution has cooled you can use it as an eye wash. This will sting, I wouldn’t recommend this treatment for small children. Dip a cotton ball, bread, or a clean cloth in the mixture to make a compress.

Aloe Vera (antibacterial and anti-fungal): The sap directly from the plant or aloe vera juice can be used.

Chamomile Tea (anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial): Brew a strong cup of tea and allow it to completely cool. The tea can then be used as an eye wash. Use the tea bag, a cotton ball, bread, or clean cloth to make a compress.

Black Tea (tannins, antioxidant): Brew a strong cup of tea and allow it to completely cool. The tea can then be used as an eye wash. Use the tea bag, a cotton ball, bread, or clean cloth to make a compress.

Boric Acid (antiseptic): Mix 1 teaspoon boric acid with 1 quart of water. The solution can be used as an eye wash. Use a cotton ball, bread, or clean cloth to make a compress.

Eyebright Tea (tannins): Brew a strong cup of tea and allow it to completely cool. The tea can then be used as an eye wash. Use the tea bag, a cotton ball, bread, or clean cloth to make a compress.

A warm or cool compress placed over the infected eye will help bring relief from the soreness and allow some of the solution to seep in your eyes. You can also use these solutions to help remove the dried discharge from your eyelids.

When To Consider Visiting A Doctor

If you have been using a home remedy for pink eye for more than 7 days with no results you should seek medical advice from your doctor and consider going in for an exam. There could be a more serious infection, disease, or medical problem causing your symptoms that could result in permanent eye damage if left untreated.

Disclaimer

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