Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can swiftly turn your daily activities into a struggle with its redness, irritation, and discomfort. Whether triggered by allergies, viruses, or bacteria, managing this pesky eye condition doesn't have to rely solely on medical visits. Effective and safe natural remedies can soothe your eyes, alleviate symptoms, and promote faster healing right from the comfort of your home.
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What Is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis, often called "pink eye," is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva – the thin, transparent layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It can make the eyes appear red or pink, feel irritated, and produce discharge.
Types of Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of conjunctivitis, responsible for 80% of cases. It is very contagious and is usually caused by adenoviruses, the same viruses responsible for causing common cold symptoms. (12)
Bacterial conjunctivitis is also very contagious and is caused by a bacterial infection, typically by Staphylococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis. It is more common in children than adults. (12)
Allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious or contagious. It is caused by a reaction to something in the environment, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust. It affects up to 40% of people and often occurs seasonally in response to specific environmental allergic triggers. (12)
Conjunctivitis Symptoms
The common symptoms of pink eye include:
- Pink or red color in the white of the eye
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Watery, teary eyes
- Eye discharge
- Irritation, itching, and burning of the eye
Each type of conjunctivitis tends to present with distinct clinical signs, which can help distinguish one type from another (29):
- Bacterial: Thick eye discharge consisting of mucus and pus causes the eyelids to stick together, especially in the morning.
- Viral: Eye discharge is watery, not thick. It may occur with a cold or other respiratory infection. It usually begins in one eye and spreads to the other within days.
- Allergic: Both eyes are usually affected by swelling, tearing, and intense itching.
When to Seek Medical Care
In most cases, pink eye isn't dangerous and typically goes away on its own within 2 to 5 days in more than half of people without treatment (10). In rare instances, however, severe, recurrent, or atypical infections can cause complications, such as (22, 29):
- Corneal scarring and inflammation
- Corneal perforation and ulceration
- Light sensitivity
- Dry eye syndromes
- Vision loss
This is why it is important to closely monitor infection and see your doctor if the conjunctivitis is not improving on its own within one week or if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Copious amounts of eye discharge, especially if it is green or yellow
- Eye pain
- A feeling that something is stuck in the eye
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Sensitivity to light
Neonatal conjunctivitis occurs in infants within the first month of life. It requires prompt medical intervention because, as research indicates, it can cause corneal damage in 20% and blindness in 3% of cases without treatment.
Conjunctivitis Self-Care: Essential Do's and Don'ts
Treating your pink eye usually depends on the type of conjunctivitis you have, but these essential care tips are universal for treating any kind of conjunctivitis:
DO:
- Wash your hands frequently to prevent spreading the infection or allergens to your eyes.
- Clean your eyes gently with a clean, damp cloth to remove discharge or crusting.
- Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation.
- Practice good hygiene by changing pillowcases and towels regularly.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Dispose of your old contact lenses and use a new pair when you begin wearing your contacts again.
- Throw away your old eye makeup and buy new makeup to use once your eyes are healthy.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen, persist for more than a week, or if you experience vision changes.
- Follow any treatments your doctor prescribes, such as antibiotic drops for bacterial conjunctivitis or decongestants (with or without antihistamines) for allergic conjunctivitis.
DON'T:
- Share personal items like towels, makeup, or eye drops to avoid spreading contagious forms.
- Wear contact lenses until the conjunctivitis has fully resolved.
- Apply makeup near your eyes until the infection or inflammation has cleared completely.
- Use eye drops meant for another condition or an expired product.
Natural Remedies for Conjunctivitis Relief
Be cautious with using unproven home remedies to treat pink eye. Some treatments you read about online can exacerbate symptoms or introduce bacteria into the eye, potentially worsening the infection. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before trying new treatments.
These natural remedies can be safely implemented at home to support healing and reduce conjunctivitis symptoms:
Tea Compresses
Studies suggest that herbal tea has healing properties and can reduce the risk of chronic disease.
While there is no evidence to prove that using a tea bag is better than a clean washcloth for an eye compress, we know that tea does possess qualities that may support tissue healing. For example, tea is rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols.
Traditionally, chamomile tea has been used to treat conjunctivitis and blocked tear ducts.
To make a warm or cold tea compress for the eyes:
- Steep a tea bag in hot water.
- Squeeze out the excess liquid from the tea bag.
- To use as a warm compress, wait for the tea bag to cool before applying it to a closed eye for 15-30 minutes.
- To use as a cold compress, cool the tea bag in the refrigerator before placing it on a closed eye for 15-30 minutes.
Oral Supplements
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids highly concentrated in the eye's retina. These antioxidants reduce oxidative stress and modulate inflammatory responses in the eye by inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB and decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, lutein and zeaxanthin can support the healing process in conjunctivitis. (2, 3)
Vitamin C's immune-supportive and mast cell-stabilizing properties make it a potentially beneficial supplement for treating conjunctivitis, particularly allergic conjunctivitis. Vitamin C enhances the innate and adaptive immune systems, which can help reduce the severity and duration of infections. Additionally, vitamin C has been shown to stabilize mast cells, thereby reducing the release of histamine that contributes to the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
Preventing Conjunctivitis Recurrence
Preventing conjunctivitis involves strategies to minimize the risk of infection and reduce exposure to allergens.
Preventing the Spread of Infectious Conjunctivitis
- Maintain good hygiene by washing hands regularly with warm, soapy water or using hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Do not share personal hygiene items, including towels, washcloths, pillowcases, eye makeup, and eye drops, with others.
- Disinfect shared surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, and electronic devices with disinfectant cleaners.
- Stay home when you have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis until symptoms improve.
- Follow the recommended guidelines for cleaning, storing, and replacing contact lenses.
Allergy Avoidance/Reduction for Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Identify specific allergic triggers.
- Avoid going outdoors when pollen counts are highest.
- Wear sunglasses or eyeglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from airborne allergens.
- Keep indoor air clean by keeping windows closed, using HEPA filters to reduce airborne allergens, and maintaining indoor humidity between 30-50% to prevent mold growth.
- Vacuum and dust regularly and use allergen-proof covers for mattresses, pillows, and bedding to minimize exposure to dust mites.
Common Misconceptions About Conjunctivitis Self-Care
1. Conjunctivitis Is Always Contagious
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious and can spread through direct or indirect contact with infected eye secretions.
Allergic conjunctivitis and irritant-induced conjunctivitis are not contagious. They result from reactions to allergens or irritants and cannot be transmitted to others.
2. Only Children Get Conjunctivitis
While conjunctivitis is common in children, adults can develop it too. Adults may be exposed to similar risk factors, such as infections, allergies, and irritants.
3. Conjunctivitis Always Requires Antibiotic Treatment
If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotic eye drops or ointments to shorten the course of infection. However, research indicates that most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis resolve independently without antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotics will not treat viral or allergic conjunctivitis.
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Key Takeaways
- Managing conjunctivitis at home with safe and effective self-care remedies can alleviate discomfort and support healing.
- The three main goals of treating conjunctivitis are increasing patient comfort, lessening the course of infection and inflammation, and preventing the spread of infectious conjunctivitis.
- The safest and most effective home remedies for treating conjunctivitis include hand washing, avoiding contact lenses and eye makeup, warm eye compresses, and lubricating eye drops.
- Avoid unproven remedies that may worsen symptoms or introduce more serious eye infections.
- While most cases of conjunctivitis resolve on their own without medical intervention, always monitor your symptoms and consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe cases to ensure appropriate treatment and prevent complications.
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