Pink Eye Home Remedies

Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a kind of eye infection which results in reddening of the eye. It is as common as common cold, but it leads to the most annoying and irritating situation. Constant itching of the eye, throbbing pain, stickiness and excessive discharge from the eye, everything is so irritating that the person affected is ready to do anything to get rid of pink eye quickly. Though common, an eye problem needs to be treated carefully. Along with the antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops, you may opt for a safe pink eye home remedy.

Pink Eye Symptoms in Children and Adults

• Itchiness, redness and swelling of the eye
• Constant pain in the eye (as if something is stuck inside the eye)
• Intolerance to bright light
• Crust is formed near the infected eye
• Yellowish and greenish discharge from the eye (due to bacterial infection)
• A clear white discharge (viral infection or allergy)
• Excessive tears

Removing the cause of allergy or taking antihistamines helps cure allergic pink eye. There is no need to treat pink eye caused by viral infection, as it gets cured on its own within 15 - 20 days. Home remedies help improve the symptoms of bacterial infection within 1-2 days. Some easy and simple pink eye home remedies are listed below.

Home Remedies for Pink Eye in Children

Mittens: Babies or small children generally can't resist rubbing their eyes. They touch everything in sight. Use of mittens is recommended during pink eye infection. Mittens can help avoid excessive rubbing during sleep too. Maintaining perfect hygiene is essential while treating pink eye at home.

Bread Slice: You may place a cold bread slice over the infected eye. It helps reduce the itchiness and swelling. It is one of the easiest options for pink eye cure.

Warm Compresses: Lavender oil, chamomile oil, rose oil can be used for warm compresses. Add a few drops of oil to water for soothing effect. Use a warmed up washcloth for warm compresses. Use warm, wet compresses to soften the crusted material, especially after waking up in the morning.

Breast Milk: Lactating mothers may use breast milk for flushing the eyes of the infants. It is perhaps the best natural pink eye home remedy.

Saltwater: You may use warm salty water or warm milk for hot compresses. Adopting the 'hot-cold' theory can be quite beneficial. First soak the washcloth in warm water and gently dab it over the eyelids. You may continue doing this for about 10 minutes. Then, take another washcloth and dip it in ice-cold water. Take an ice-cube in it and place it over the infected eye for another 10-15 minutes. Reading a favorite book while placing the compresses may help forget the pain.

Home Remedies for Pink Eye in Adults

Bacterial pink eye is contagious and cleanliness plays an important role in pink eye home cure. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotic drops or ointments for fast recovery. Pink eye home treatment for adults includes the following simple remedies.

Warm/Cold Compresses: Apply cool or warm compresses to the affected eye as many times as possible. You can use milk, salt and water, or a mixture (boiled and cooled) of one tablespoon boric acid or one tablespoon baking soda and 2 cups of water; or a mixture of 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to one cup of water for warm compresses.

Cold Tea Bags: Keep some dampened chamomile tea bags (green tea or black tea bags will also do) in freezer for 10-15 minutes and then place them over the infected eye. They will offer instant relief from pain and itching sensation.

Honey: Add 1 teaspoon of honey to half cup of water and put two drops of the solution in each eye. This may result in stinging sensation, but you should keep on adding drops several times throughout the day. It will help reduce pain and inflammation. Make sure that you use pure honey.

Washing the Eyes: Eyes can be flushed with a mixture of warm water and a little bit of baby shampoo. A drop of castor oil in each eye once a day can help get rid of infection quickly.

Cleanliness: Always use cotton balls while applying any mixture to the eyes. Wash your hands after touching your eyes. Change and wash your bed sheet, pillow cover, towel separately. Do not share your towel or even eye drops with anybody.

Soothing Solutions: Boil some water after adding some fennel seeds to it and use it for compresses when it reaches normal temperature. Or you may soak some jasmine flowers and chamomiles in water overnight and use the water as eye drops (after straining) next morning. You will experience the soothing effect immediately.

These were some simple conjunctivitis home remedies. Do not wear contact lenses and stay away from allergens and all types of eye cosmetics, if you are experiencing discomfort and pain due to pink eye. A traditional pink eye home remedy can cure pink eye infection without antibiotics. Of course, you need to take proper care and maintain perfect hygiene. If a green or yellow discharge (pus) is noticed, then you should seek medical help and get the antibiotic immediately.