Pink eye (Conjunctivitis) is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva (the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white of the eye).
It occurs as a result of a bacterial infection, a viral infection, or an allergic reaction and is usually temporary. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is popularly called, can be extremely contagious.
It spreads by contact with eye secretions from someone who is already infected. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva are inflamed, they become more visible. This is why the whites of your eyes appear reddish or pink.
Pink eye usually resolves on its own within two weeks without treatment. But you don’t want to go about your daily routine in discomfort, so in the meantime, there are home remedies that may relieve the itchiness, discomfort, and inflammation.
There are treatments that can help to ease the discomfort of pink eye. And early treatment is very important to help limit its spread.
Home/in-house treatment for pink eye
Change your contact lenses
If you use contact lenses, then you should stop wearing them while you have pinkeye. And then change them once your eyes are completely healed. Your old contacts are likely infected and could re-infect once you wear them.
Use a cool compress
Using a cool and damp compress helps reduce inflammation and soothes the eyes.
This method is very easy to carry out. Dip and soak a clean washcloth or hand towel in water (hot or cold water), wring out any excess water and place the damp washcloth over the eye. Leave it there for a few minutes before you remove and then wash your hands immediately.
After use, the washcloth or towel should be washed immediately, and it should not be re-used before washing as this can spread the infection or re-infect the eye.
Damp cloth clean
Bacterial pink eye has a symptom that comes in the form of a thick discharge, or pus, leaking from the infected eye. The pus dries quickly and forms a crust, just along the edges of the eyelids.
Infected individuals may have difficulty opening their eyes in the morning after the discharge has been hardened overnight. You should remove the pus from around the eye and lashes, using a warm, damp cloth.
Use eye drops
Allergic pink eye can be controlled with allergy eyedrops. The lubricating eye drops can soothe irritation or inflammation in the eye. They flush out allergens, discharge, and irritants, and by so doing, help relieve the symptoms of all types of conjunctivitis.
Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
Touching or rubbing the eyes can worsen or escalate symptoms of pinkeye.
If you need to touch your eyes, you must first wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyes and afterward
Change towels and pillowcase frequently
Infected individuals should use new towels each day and endeavor to change pillowcases and sheets regularly to curb the spread and reduce symptoms.
Common symptoms of pink eye
- Itching in the eye
- Redness in the eye
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Discharge or pus that forms a crust during the night, and may prevent your eye from opening in the morning
Causes of pink eye
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Allergies
- chemical splashes in the eye
- foreign objects in the eye
- A blocked tear duct in the eyes of newborn babies (specifically newborn babies)
Final Note
Pink eye is simply an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva, on the other hand, is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and forms lines inside the eyelid.
Children are easily and mostly infected. It is highly contagious, but it’s rarely severe too, and it’s very unlikely to damage your vision. The precautionary measures, if followed, can help prevent it, and the home or in-house treatments can also be helpful in dealing with it.
