Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a bacterial or viral eye infection, which occurs to the outermost layer of the eye. Pink eye is highly infectious, and easily spreads through allergic substances, such as pollen. It leads to redness and itching in the eyes. Though, it gets healed up by itself, but you can treat it with some simple home remedies to get quick relief.
Causes
- Allergic substances, such as pollen
- Certain viruses or bacteria
- Weak immune system
- Exposure to the person, suffering from pink eyes
Symptoms
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Watery eyes
- Swelling in the eyes
- Mucus production while sleeping
- Constant pain
- Formation of crust near the infected eye
- Intolerance to bright light
- White discharge from eyes (due to allergy or viral infection)
Home Remedies for Pink Eye
If you are looking for the natural remedies for pink eye, you are at the right place! Here are some useful remedies that provide immense relief in pink eye.
1. Honey
Mix 3 tablespoons of honey in 2 cups of boiling water. Let it cool down, and then, pour a few drops of this solution in your pink eyes. You can also wash your eyes with it at least 2-3 times a day. Else, soak a cotton pad or clean cloth and put it on your eyes. Honey has excellent anti-bacterial properties and helps in curing the infection quickly.
Note- You can also use warm milk in place of boiling water.
2. Potato
Potato works as a natural astringent and works well to cure pink eye at home. Cut slices of raw potato and place it on the infected eye at least for 20 minutes. Repeat the process for about 3 days for better results.
3. Turmeric
Mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder in a cup of boiled water and apply it as a compress on the pink eye. Turmeric is a good antibiotic, and therefore, reduces the symptoms of a pink eye.
4. Fennel Seeds
Boil some fennel seeds in water and use this water as eyewash in order to cure a pink eye.
5. Aloe Vera
Soak a part of clean handkerchief in fresh aloe vera gel and place it on the infected eye. Aloe vera is one of the best remedies for pink eye due to its medicinal properties.
6. Baking Soda
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water and use it as eyewash. It is one of the best home remedies for pink eye in adults as it also gives a soothing effect to eyes.
7. Apply Warm or Cold Compress
If you are suffering from a viral or bacterial pink eye, apply a warm compress. Soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water and gently press it over the infected eye. Warm compress reduce swelling, caused due to the pink eye. A cold compress is beneficial for an infection, caused due to an allergy.
Note- Use a separate cloth if you are applying a warm compress to both the eyes as a warm compress increases the risk of spreading the infection from one eye to the other.
8. Marigold
Use a compress of marigold extract on the pink eye to reduce the inflammation and infection in the eye.
9. Chamomile
Boil a cup of water and then, add 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flower in it. Let it cool down and use it as eyewash after straining. This is one of the most effective remedies to treat pink eye fast.
10. Barberry
Take some powdered barberry and boil it in a cup of water. Use this solution as eyewash. Barberry is a good anti-bacterial agent, and therefore, helps in curing the pink eye.
11. Elderberry Blossom Tea
It is one of the best herbal remedies to kill the infection of pink eye. Make tea of elderberry blossom and use it as eyewash.
12. Yoghurt
Take live cultured yoghurt and apply it as a poultice on the infected eye to eliminate the inflammation and redness, caused due to a pink eye.
13. Boric Acid
Boric acid works well for pink eye treatment. Dilute a tablespoon of boric acid in ¼ cup of boiling water and use it as eyewash to treat the infection. You can also apply it as a compress over the infected eye. This remedy should be repeated at least thrice a week in order to get the best results.
14. Castor Oil
Put a drop of castor oil in the infected eye at least thrice a day in order to cure a pink eye.
15. Breast Milk
Pour 2-3 drops of breast milk in the infected eye to get an effective relief from pink eye infection.
16. Cold Bread
Placing cold bread over the infected eye effectively relieves the itchiness and inflammation, caused as a result of pink eye infection.
17. Charcoal Dust
This is a proven remedy to cure a pink eye. Take 1 teaspoon of charcoal dust along with ¼ teaspoon of sea salt and mix it in a cup of water. Boil it, and strain it after cooling it down. Pour 4-5 drops of this solution into the infected eye.
18. Coriander
Boil some dried coriander leaves in water. Cool it down after straining it and then, use it as eyewash or a compress. Coriander helps in reducing the swelling and pain, caused due to conjunctivitis.
19. Apple Cider Vinegar
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in it and apply it on the infected eye.
20. Calendula
Take 2 tablespoons of calendula flower and boil it in a cup of water. Wash the infected eye with this solution or you can also apply it as a warm compress.
21. Indian Gooseberry or Amla
To get relief from pink eye, mix 2 teaspoon of honey in a cup of amla juice and drink it at least twice a day.
22. Lemon Juice
Dilute some lemon juice in water and apply it with a clean cotton swab on the eyelid of the infected eye. This will help fight the infection that causes pink eye.
23. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps in relieving the itchiness in the pink eye. Soak a cotton ball in coconut oil and apply it over the eyelid of the infected eye.
24. Salt Water
Make your own natural eye drops by mixing a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of water. Pour 2-3 drops of this solution into the infected eye to help clear the infection.
25. Garlic
Peel garlic clove and make a cut on it in order to let its juice come out. Now, rub it on the upper eyelid of the infected eye. You might feel a stinging sensation, but it will go after some time. Garlic is an excellent antibiotic and works well to kill infections.
26. Sip on Vegetable Juices
Vegetable juices are a good cure for pink eye infection. Add 200 ml of spinach juice in 300 ml of carrot juice and drink it to quickly heal the infection. You can also make a mixture of 200 ml of raw parsley juice in 300 ml of carrot juice.
Homeopathic Remedies for Pink Eye
Some of the effective homeopathic treatments for pink eye are:
1. Apis mellifica
This remedy is useful when the infection causes the eyelids to stick together with a burning sensation and watery eyes.
2. Hepar sulphuris calcareum
If there is a yellowish discharge of mucus, which sticks the eyelids, along with a burning sensation and acute soreness of eyes, this remedy helps a lot.
3. Argentum nitricum
When the swelling in the eyes is accompanied with redness and inflammation and a pus-like discharge, this is the best remedy to be taken.
4. Mercurius solubilis
This remedy is recommended when a greenish discharge is released from the eyes that can be irritating to the eyelids.
5. Natrum muriaticum
When the eyes are highly bruised and swelled up along with a release of thick mucus and tears, this remedy should be taken.
Apart from these, other homeopathic remedies are Pulsatilla and Sulphur.
Preventive Measures for Avoiding Pink Eye
- Use a tissue to wipe the eyes and avoid touching them with the hands.
- Wash hands with an antiseptic hand wash more often to avoid the spread of infection.
- Avoid sharing the same towels or handkerchiefs while having the infection.
- Change the pillow-covers more often.
- Don’t use lenses while suffering from the infection.
- Don’t use eye cosmetics.
- Avoid sharing your eye cosmetics if you have a pink eye.