Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is not a new disease. In fact, it is one of the most common eye infections in the western hemisphere.Pink eye make people really uncomfortable. However, you can use this as an advantage especially when you do not want to interact with people. After all, you are contagious.The infection is caused by viral or bacterial infections, pollution, chemicals, and allergies. These causative agents cause inflammation of the small blood vessels on the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane on the first layer of the eye.General symptoms of conjunctivitis include swelling of the eye lids, redness, itching, and a discharge that cause the lashes and the lids to be matted together especially when you wake up in the morning.There are three ways of testing the severity of pink eyes. When you go to a medical practitioner, he/she will examine if you have the general pink eye symptoms. Next, he/she will examine the condition of the eyes and the eyelids.Physical observation is not sufficient to determine the type of conjunctivitis a person is suffering from. Thus, the doctor will extract a specimen of the eye discharge and test it to determine the type of microbe causing the infection.
Viral Conjunctivitis
It is the most common type of pink eye. Without treatment, viral pink eye symptoms can clear up within two to four weeks. As the name suggests, it is caused by viruses such as adenovirus, herpes simplex, and picornavirus.Viral conjunctivitis cannot be treated with antibiotics. Provided that the eyes are red, the infection is contagious.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
It starts developing when bacteria enter the eye. Normally, symptoms clear up within seven to ten days without treatment and two to four days with treatment. This type stops being contagious 24 hours after taking the antibiotics medication.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
As opposed to the first two types of pink eye that affects both eyes or one eye, allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes. It is triggered by allergy-causative agents such as pollen, dust, or animal hair. Allergic conjunctivitis is not an infection. It clears up within a day or two.The descriptions stated above are general, thus do not use them solely to determine the type of pink eye that is weighing you down. The symptoms of pink eye can be very irritating.Luckily, there is a myriad of natural remedies you can try at home. Most home remedies for pink eye can alleviate the harshness of the symptoms and you can resume your daily routine when it clears up.
Utilize The Anti-microbial Power of Honey
Since time immemorial, honey has been used to treat eye infections. For instance, it was used by the ancient Egyptians and the great Greek philosopher, Aristotle to cure eye infections.Numerous studies have documented the health benefits of honey. Though most studies that are specifically directed to effect of honey on pink eyes are still ongoing, there are studies that have proved beneficial use of honey in treating eye irritations.Honey has an anti-microbial action against a wide range of bacteria. There are several methods of preparing this home remedy for pink eye. However, this is what I use.Most people go for the Eliminate The Inflammation With Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera has several components such as amodin and aloin which have antiviral and antibacterial properties. In addition, aloe vera accelerates the healing process and reduces inflammation.According to a study conducted in 2012 and published in Knock Off The Infection With a Drop of Colloidal Silver
Silver solutions have been used to treat eye infections for ages. Colloidal silver is a simple suspension of silver and water.Unlike the silver nitrate used to prevent bacterial eye infection in children, Create a Homemade Saline Solution For Your Eyes
Chris A. Knobbe, M.D. documented that rinsing the eye's surface with saline (sterile salt water) several times in a day can alleviate the symptoms of pink eye. Actually, some eye drops contain only distilled water and salt.Therefore, it is possible to make your own saline solution that can be used to treat pink eye. You can get a direction to make a saline solution from Professor Anne Marie Helmenstine, a chemistry expert.
Sooth The Irritated Eyes With Green Tea
Heal Your Eyes Or The Baby's Using Breast Milk
Sounds awkward, right? That depends on how much you want to resume your routine. If you want it badly, you will do whatever it takes to eliminate the pink eye infection.Breast milk has several antibodies, among them the immunoglobulin A. According to the article Natural Remedies for Pink Eye: Breast Milk, this antibody plays a significant role in preventing the attachment of the pink eye bacteria on the mucosal surface of an eye.Thus, limiting the of growth possibilities of the bacteria.Though there are a myriad of ways you can apply the breast milk into your eye, use a clean spoon or dropper to minimize possibilities of contamination.Place a few drops into the infected eye and lift the eyelids to let it circulate in the eye. Administer breast milk for three times a day until the symptoms become tolerable.
Start Your Day With a Warm Compress From Turmeric and Hot Water
Turmeric has several healing compounds that help reduce inflammation. The compounds also have antibacterial properties that that can help alleviate pink eye symptoms when used well.I like making a warm compress using turmeric powder and boiled water when I have pink eye.To make a warm compress, add two tablespoons of turmeric powder to a cup of hot sterilized water. Dip a clean cloth or a cotton pad to make a warm compress and use it to soothe your eyes.
Try Out Herbal Tea Poultices to Ease The Discomfort
In accordance with prescription for nutritional healing, components such as fennel, chamomile, eyebright, and calendula can be used to prepare hot compresses.Eyebright is a good remedy for eye inflammation or irritation and can be consumed in tea or capsule form. You can use the tea to rinse the eye.There are discrepancies on whether Suppress The Unpleasant Symptoms at Night With Neem Oil
Want to wake up in a better state than you were the previous day? Try out neem oil. Neem oil has soothing properties that make it a good choice for relieving irritated skin.Additionally, it has antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory components that relive the harsh symptoms of pink eye infection. To reap maximum benefits, apply Soothe Your Irritated Eyes With a Cold Compress
A cold compress will alleviate the irritation and discomfort brought by conjunctivitis. Cold compress is better for an allergic conjunctivitis. This remedy does not treat conjunctivitis, it only make it manageable.Making a cold compress could not be easier to make. All you need is a clean cloth and cold water. Dip the cloth in water and wring the excess water.Place the cloth on the affected eye and hold it there for a while. It is important to use a clean cloth to avoid spreading the infection further.Conjunctivitis should be diagnosed and treated in its early stages to prevent the damage of eye tissues. The remedies discussed in this piece will help make the pink eye manageable. However, some of the remedies such as colloidal silver can actually heal the pink eye.
Final Thought
The remedies are not a one size fits all. Thus, you will have to know the type of conjunctivitis you are suffering from and get a remedy that works best for you. The warm and cold compress works well with all types of pink eye as they only ease the irritation.
