Pink Eye Home Remedies: Treating Conjunctivitis Naturally

While prescription meds will help keep this infection under wraps, pink eye home remedies are an indispensable asset when it comes to alleviating the itching, pain and discomfort associated with this condition. It is definitely wise to seek medical treatment to rule out other types of infections however, if it is in fact pink eye you are dealing with, a few simple home remedies will help ease your symptoms and get you feeling normal again in no time at all.

What is Pink Eye?

Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is essentially redness and swelling affecting the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and the surface of the eye. Pink eye can occur naturally because of dry eyes, wind and sun exposure however; it is more commonly the result of infections from viruses or bacteria. 

Viral and bacterial pink eye is highly contagious. This is mostly because there is no cure for viruses. While prescribed medicines can help, these types of infection will likely just need to run their course. It is important that you do all that you can to prevent the spread of pink eye by washing your hands often – especially after touching your eyes. You should avoid rubbing or touching your eyes as much as you can and definitely avoid touching other people especially near their face while you are suffering from conjunctivitis.

Pink Eye Home Remedies

It is safe to say that if you have contracted conjunctivitis – you will likely be out of commission for several days until you are well or at least until you are no longer contagious. While the medicines your doctor gives you will help, several pink eye home remedies will go to great lengths to make you more comfortable and aid in keeping your symptoms in check.

Hot Compresses

Unfortunately, one of the most common symptoms of pink eye is swelling and pain. Like swelling in any other area of the body, the discomfort that results can be assuaged using hot compresses. Simply soak a clean cloth in a bowl of hot water, ring out and place over eyes. Be careful not to use scalding water, as the skin around your eyes is very sensitive. The heat from the compress will help bring down swelling while also helping to break down the mucus and crust that develop around the eyes with this infection. Just be sure not to rub your eyes with the cloth and to immediately place in the hamper when you are finished so that someone else does not mistakenly wash their own face with it.

Honey

One of the easiest and most effective pink eye home remedies is simply to use honey. Honey has a number of soothing and healing properties and has antibacterial characteristics. Simply get up; simply rinse your eyes with warm water. Alternately, you can place several tablespoons of honey into a small pot of boiling water, stirring until it dissolves. Place the liquid in a pitcher and set in the fridge to cool. Use this honey-water several times a day as eyewash to help relieve symptoms.

Potato

While the idea may seem a bit strange, potatoes are actually one of the most effective home remedies for pink eye. Potatoes are beneficial because they act like an astringent and will often do wonders for swelling, pressure, and irritation. All you need to do is clean and peel a medium sized potato before cutting it in thin uniform slices. Take two slices and place over your itchy swollen eyes while you sleep at night – do this three nights consecutively for best results. 

Pink eye, while common, is definitely not a condition anyone looks forward to having to deal with. Be sure to visit your doctor to make sure that you are not dealing with a more serious variety of eye infection and take your medicines as prescribed. Do not however, be afraid to add home remedies for pink eye into your treatment regimen as they will likely help relieve symptoms faster so that you can get back to your conjunctivitis-free life.

Return from Pink Eye Home Remedies to Survival Medicine