How To Get Rid of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Understanding ConjunctivitisWhat is ConjunctivitisHow do you get it?What do doctors advise?What does the CDC advise?Are there any suggested home

remedies?Warnings on Home RemediesWhat are the best natural remedies?Resources

What is Conjunctivitis? Definition

◦ Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids.

Symptoms (May differ based on the cause of the inflammation, but may include)

◦ Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid◦ Increased amount of tears◦ Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially

after sleep◦ Green or white discharge from the eye◦ Itchy eyes◦ Burning eyes◦ Blurred vision◦ Increased sensitivity to light

Causes These can be classified as either infectious or noninfectious. Viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis are common in childhood, but they

occur in adults as well. Pink eye can occur in people of any age. Pink eye does not cause any changes in vision.

How Do You Get It? What provokes Pink eye?

◦ Bacteria

Staphylococci Streptococci Chlamydia Gonorrhea Other Bacteria types

◦ Viruses◦ Allergy-provoking agents

Dust, pollen A special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers

◦ Irritants Shampoos Dirt Smoke Pool chlorine

◦ Toxic agents Household cleaners Sprays of any kind Smoke Foreign objects in the eye Smog Industrial pollutants

◦ Underlying diseases Rheumatic diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis Systemic lupus erythematosus

Kawasaki's disease (a rare disease associated with fever in infants and young children) Inflammatory bowel diseases

Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease.

What Do Doctors Advise? It is important to take all medications as prescribed and to

follow your health-care practitioner's instructions for managing your condition. ◦ Bacteria. Pinkeye caused by bacteria, including those related to STDs, is

treated with antibiotics, in the form of eye drops, ointments, or pills. Eye drops or ointments may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a day for five to seven days. Pills may need to be taken for several days. The infection should improve within a week. Take or use the drugs as instructed by your doctor, even if the symptoms go away.

◦ Viruses. This type of pinkeye often results from the viruses that cause a common cold. Just as a cold must run its course, so must this form of pinkeye, which usually lasts from four to seven days. Viral conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. Avoid contact with others and wash your hands frequently.

◦ Irritants. For pinkeye caused by an irritating substance, use water to wash the substance from the eye for five minutes. Your eyes should begin to improve within four hours. If the conjunctivitis is caused by acid or alkaline material such as bleach, immediately rinse the eyes with lots of water and call your doctor immediately.

◦ Allergies. Allergy-associated conjunctivitis should improve once the allergy is treated and the allergen removed. See your doctor if you have conjunctivitis that is linked to an allergy.

Home treatment for pink eye should not be a substitute for seeking the advice of a health-care practitioner.◦ There are steps you can take at home to help relieve the

symptoms of pink eye. Moist warm compresses applied to the eyes can help relieve

symptoms. Over-the-counter artificial tears (eyedrops) can also bring relief.

You should not wear contact lenses until the pink eye has resolved.

Eye makeup and cosmetic creams should also be avoided in the eye area until your symptoms have resolved.

Avoid touching the eye area and wash your hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the eye area.

Never share towels or handkerchiefs, and throw away tissues after each use.

Disinfecting surfaces like countertops, sinks, and doorknobs can also help prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.

What does the CDC advise?Most cases of pink eye are mild and get

better without treatment. ◦ However, severe cases need to be looked at by a

health care provider and may require specific treatment and close follow-up.

◦ See your health care provider if you have— Moderate to severe pain in your eye(s) Blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light Intense redness in the eye(s) A weakened immune system, for example, from HIV or

cancer treatment Bacterial pink eye that does not improve after 24 hours of

antibiotic use Symptoms that get worse or don't improve Pre-existing eye conditions that may put you at risk for

complications or severe infection

Are There Any Suggested Home Remedies?

As a rinse or drops in the eye◦ Noni◦ Coconut water (for soothing purposes only)◦ Apple cider vinegar◦ Castor Oil ◦ Vinegar & water/Sea salt & water ◦ Black coffee ◦ Honey/Milk/Baby Shampoo◦ Wheatgrass juice ◦ Salt water & contact solution◦ Heaven's cure (water, honey, olive oil, slice of orange & lemon,

oregano, basil) ◦ Pancake Syrup ◦ Sugar Water ◦ Salt & Vinegar water wash ◦ Breast milk◦ Tea/honey/salt combo ◦ Tea eye drops ◦ Raw Honey/honey water ◦ Collodial Silver

Application on outer eyelids/lashes◦ Hot/Cold Compresses ◦ warm salt water on a tea bag ◦ Ice w/eye drops ◦ Cotton wool dipped in cold milk ◦ Cotton wool dipped in hot, salty water ◦ Cold raw potatoes ◦ Lemon juice, butter and sugar ◦ Salt ◦ Garlic ◦ Neosporin ◦ 50% volume Isopropyl Alcohol ◦ milk soaked white bread ◦ Lemon/Lime - apply to tear ducts/bottom lid◦ Rice/water/sugar/milk ◦ Aloe Vera ◦ Apple ◦ Gold ◦ Borax/water solution◦ Hydrogen peroxide

Application can be inside or outside the eye◦Chamomile/Calendula tea/teabags◦ Jasmine Flower ◦Distilled water

Other Methods & Weird Ideas◦Visualization & screen avoidance ◦Semen ◦Duct tape◦Rest & Relaxation◦The Curing Straw – water applied inside

eye/eyelid via a straw◦Fish Tetracyclin

Warnings on Home RemediesWarnings on Home Remedies

◦Do not use Vicks Vapor Rub◦Do not use honey, sugar, or milk

because if it’s a viral or bacterial form of pink eye, it will get worse, as bacteria grows rapidly in sugar.

What Are The Best Natural Remedies?

Vitamin A (not beta carotene, not synthetic)

Vitamin C Vitamin DGarlicProbioticsBreast MilkRaw cow, or goat milkYogurt or Kefir Fermented cod liver oil (best source of

Vitamin A)

Resourceshttp://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/pinke

ye-fast-and-easy-home-remedy/

http://www.medicinenet.com/pink_eye/page3.htm http://

www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-conjunctivitis

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/pinkeye-home-treatment

http://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/prevention.html

http://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/treatment.html