Pink Eye Home Remedies

Pink eye is a commonly occurring condition wherein a person's eye becomes unusually red following which, he experiences itching and irritation of the eye. Formally known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is an eye problem which is as common as the common cold and which can affect people of all ages. So, how do you know if you are suffering from pink eye? Are there any pink eye home remedies that you can make use of? Well, read on to find out the answers to the above questions.

Symptoms of Pink Eye

• redness of the eye
• itching or irritation
• excessive watering
• swelling of the inner eyelid
• watery discharge from the eye
• stickiness in the eye.

The treatment can vary depending on the type of conjunctivitis. Typically, there are five types or forms of conjunctivitis:

1. bacterial conjunctivitis
2. viral conjunctivitis
3. allergic conjunctivitis
4. toxic conjunctivitis
5. inclusion conjunctivitis.

So how do you cure pink eye? Which is the most effective pink eye home remedy? The answers to all these questions are provided in the subsequent section.

Home Remedies for Pink Eye

All the following pink eye home remedies can be used to treat the initial symptoms of pink eye.

• If you find that your eyes have become red and particularly sticky, then you are most likely to be suffering from a case of bacterial conjunctivitis. In such cases, there is a sticky discharge due to which the eyelids tend to stick to each other, especially after sleep. In such cases, the first thing you should do is dip a soft and clean towel in warm water and gently dab your eyelids so that the sticky discharge gets wiped off. Make it a point to do this at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Another simple pink eye home remedy involves mixing 3 ounces of water with a couple of drops of mild baby shampoo. Mix the solution well and put a couple of drops in the affected eye. Repeat this thrice a day.
• Try adopting the 'hot cold' theory. First you need to soak a soft cloth towel in warm water. Place it over the affected eye for about 10 minutes. After that take a fresh cloth towel and dip it in ice-cold water. Wrap it around an ice cube and place it over your eye for another 10-15 minutes. It will reduce the reddening and will give you a considerable amount of relief. Do this a few times throughout the day and it will help to cure your pink eye.
• Try using lemon juice. Wet a soft cloth with lemon juice and gently dab your eye with it. It may sting a little bit and may cause your eye to water but that's good, because it helps to flush out the germs and the accumulated discharge.
• Breast milk is one of the common home remedies for pink eye. Putting a couple of drops of breast milk in the affected eye 3-4 times a day can help in curing pink eye.
• Honey and green tea are some of the other popular pink eye home remedies. Putting a drop of honey in your eye or placing a tea bag dipped in warm water over the eyelid can help in lessening the irritation and can cure pink eye.

These were some of the commonly used pink eye home remedies. Remember, if your pink eye does not improve even after 4 days of trying these home remedies, it is best to visit an eye specialist.