Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is a common eye problem that causes the thin tissue that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids to become inflamed. It can make the affected eye red, itch, grow, leak, and feel uncomfortable. Pink eye can be caused by bacterial or viral illnesses, allergies, or things that irritate the eye.
In some situations, medical care may be needed, but there are also natural ways to ease the symptoms and help the body heal. These treatments, which are often based on home cures or over-the-counter items, can help relieve symptoms and help the body heal itself. It’s important to remember that natural treatments should not replace advice from a doctor, especially if the symptoms get worse or keep coming back.
In this guide, we’ll look at a few harmless ways to treat pink eye that may help. But it’s very important to talk to a doctor or eye expert to get a correct evaluation and the right treatment plan. When trying natural treatments, be careful because everyone’s body behaves differently and what works for one person might not work for another.
What is the pink eye?
Dr. Benjamin Ticho of the University of Illinois Ear and Eye Infirmary says that the term “pink eye” is a common term for any illness that makes the eye red. This information came from Dr. Ticho, who gave it to Healthline. “Most of the time, this term is used to talk about conjunctivitis that is spread by germs. Pus that is green or yellow in color probably comes from a bacterial infection, while pus that is clear or white in color probably comes from a viral infection. Most people with allergic conjunctivitis feel like their eyes are itching.
The illness that causes pink eye is very contagious and can be very painful. The bad news is this. The good news is that it can be treated fairly easily.
We talked to a number of medical workers from all over the United States to learn more about pink eye, what causes it, and the best ways to treat it.
Treatments in medicine
Conjunctivitis can be treated in a number of different ways. Everything depends on whether or not the virus in your body is viral or bacterial.
Bacterial conjunctiva
If your conjunctivitis is caused by germs, you will need to see a doctor so that you can get medicine. To treat your condition, the doctor will give you either a cream or eye drops. Ticho said that medicines taken by mouth are not needed right now.
Viral conjunctivitis
This type of conjunctivitis will go away on its own. Similar to how viral colds can last anywhere from a few days to many weeks, so can this. Antibiotics do not work to treat this illness. Here are a few popular treatments:
- Eye drops or salve to keep the eyes moist, antihistamines or decongestants, hot or cold compresses, and other tissues
- If you think you might have pink eye, you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. This is a doctor who focuses on eye health.
Treatments that don’t use drugs
Some research suggests that natural treatments could help prevent viral conjunctivitis. Probiotics and a diet high in vitamins A, K, C, and B may both help your eyes stay healthy and protect you from getting sick.
With the help of the following home treatments, you may be able to get rid of the symptoms of conjunctivitis, as long as the redness is not caused by a bacterial infection.
- Clean each piece of clothing well.
- Take zinc tablets.
- Your eyes should be rubbed with cold clothes.
- Make sure to rinse your eyes out often with clean water.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Drinking a lot of water will help you get better faster.
Who gets pink eye?
Everyone is at risk for pink eye. But children who are still in school are the most vulnerable group. Throughout the day, children are usually close to each other and often touch each other. Pink eye is more likely to spread to adults who live with children who have it.
Dr. Robert Noecker, an optometrist, told Healthline that children are the main cause of the problem.
Noecker went on to say that both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are hard to treat. “They can live on a doorknob for a week,” he said. “They can change quickly.” He said that people should wash their hands properly to avoid getting sick.
Preventing pink eye
The best thing someone can do to stop the spread of pink eye is to keep themselves clean. Here are some tips:
- Make sure you always wash your hands.
- Switch out your covers every so often.
- You shouldn’t share towels, and you should use new ones every day.
- Makeup for the eyes shouldn’t be shared, and any makeup used to treat pink eye should be thrown away.
- The CDC says that kids can go to school even if they have conjunctivitis as long as they have started treatment before they go back. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say to keep them at home if they can’t avoid being close to other children.
When is it time to see a doctor?
Ticho says you should see a doctor if you have any of the following:
- The sick person is a child younger than 5 years old.
- Your eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be.
- Your pus is either yellow or green and is near your eye.
- Your eye stops being clear and goes cloudy.
- Now that eye doctors have more tools, they can do a more thorough evaluation.
But you should make an appointment with your primary care doctor if you see green or yellow pus near your eye. They can take a look at your symptoms and decide if you need medicines or not. They can also send you right away to an ophthalmologist if that’s what you need.