You are rubbing your eyes since you woke up in the morning, but they are still itching. When you look in the mirror, they are swollen and red. What the hell is going on?
Do you have a weird disease? No — you have a common problem called Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye.
Now, you’ll start bombarding Google with questions like: What Is Pink Eye? What are the Symptoms Of Pink Eye? How Long Does Pink Eye Last? How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye?
What is Pink Eye?
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye is the expression used to describe inflammation of the conjunctiva — the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids and sclera (the white part of the eye.) It produces bloodshot eyes, burning, itching, watery, swollen eyes.
What Causes Pink Eye?
Pink eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria (such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia) and allergies. But there are other causes, like fungi, chemicals, certain diseases, wearing contact lens (especially overnight) and air pollution caused by chemical vapors, fumes, smoke, or dust.
The conjunctiva can also become irritated by foreign bodies in the eye.
How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
1. Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral Conjunctivitis results from the viruses that cause common cold. It is contagious, therefore spreads rapidly and easily between people and can result in epidemics.
It might last for 3-7 days and can become chronic. It doesn’t have a specific treatment so let the virus run its course. If caused by herpes virus (in rare cases,) it can be treated with an antiviral medicine.
— Symptoms Of Viral Conjunctivitis:
- Can affect one or both the eyes
- Redness in the sclera (white of the eye)
- Swollen eyelids
- Itching or burning sensation in the eyelids
- Marked by clear and watery discharge
- Likely to start from one eye and move to the other
— Treatment:
As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t have a specific treatment. But if you want to get rid of it sooner then, go to the doctor and he’ll prescribe you broad-spectrum eye drops or ointments like Chloramphenicol or Fusidic acid.
2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is more contagious form of pink eye caused by bacterial infections as compared to viral conjunctivitis. It is usually spread by direct contact with infected hands or things that have touched the eye.
It usually lasts for 2 to 4 days with antibiotic treatment and 7 to 10 days without antibiotic treatment. This type of conjunctivitis sometimes causes a red eye with a lot of pus.
— Symptoms Of Bacterial Conjunctivitis:
- One or both the eyes can be affected
- Sticky, yellow or greenish-yellow eye discharge from the corner of the eye. This discharge may cause the eyelashes to stick together.
- Redness in the sclera.
- Swollen upper eyelid, which may make the lid to droop.
- Mild pain.
— Treatment:
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. This will kill the bacteria that cause pink eye.
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic Conjunctivitis is not contagious and usually involves both the eyes. It is caused by the body’s reaction to an irritant or allergen like household dust, animal dander, seasonal pollens, perfumes and cosmetics.
Allergic pinkeye symptoms improve once the allergen source is removed and the allergy is treated, which may include an antihistamine.
— Symptoms Of Allergic Conjunctivitis:
- Redness in both the eyes.
- Watery discharge.
- Itching and burning in both the eyes and surrounding tissues.
- Runny nose.
- Discomfort in bright sunlight
- Swollen eyelids. In cases of severe swelling, the gap between the upper and lower lid becomes slit like.
— Treatment:
It can be treated with a variety of medications, including topical oral antihistamines (tablets,) mast cell stabilizers and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Surgical intervention may be indicated in severe cases.
4. Chemical Conjunctivitis
Chemical Conjunctivitis is caused by getting smoke, fumes, liquids or chemicals in the eye. Mild pinkeye can also be caused by the chlorine in the swimming pools.
— Symptoms Of Chemical Conjunctivitis:
- Red and swollen eyes.
- Extreme pain in the eyes.
- Decreased vision.
— Treatment:
Most of the times, people don’t need treatment. By rinsing the eye with running water immediately, the toxic chemical or liquid can be removed. Artificial tears or ointment may be used to decrease the redness and itchiness. If the symptoms persist, rush to the doctor.
Pink Eye Preventions
Never ever share your personal items such as washcloths, hand towels or make up with anyone (not even with your siblings or best friend.)
- Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Sharing is caring, but this doesn’t apply to your contact lenses. So DON’T share your contact lenses.
- Keep a sanitizer handy and use it frequently.
- Clean surfaces such as bathroom vanities, faucet handles and shared phones with an appropriate antiseptic cleaner.
- Wear swim goggles while doing swimming to protect yourself from any kind of bacteria and microorganisms in the water that can cause conjunctivitis.
How Can You Prevent Spreading Pinkeye?
- Don’t touch or rub the infected eye or eyes.
- Wash your hands more often with soap and warm water.
- Clean any discharge from your eyes with a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Don’t forget to discard the cotton ball or paper towel and wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Wash your pillowcases, bed linens and towels in hot water and detergent.
- Don’t wear eye makeup.
- Never wear another person’s contact lenses (this is a bit of common sense.)
- Wear spectacles instead of contact lenses.
- Wash your hands properly after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye.
Home Remedies For Pink Eye
1. Milk and Honey
It sounds more like a soothing bedtime drink than a home remedy for pink eye, and you might be thinking I have gone insane for using milk and honey in my eyeballs.
Don’t feel like a guinea pig, I have tried this remedy to get rid of pink eye and it really worked on me.
— What You Need:
- 1 tbsp of raw milk.
- 1 tbsp of organic honey.
- 1 sterilized dropper.
— What You Have To Do:
- Warm the milk a little (How much warm? Barely warm. So that you don’t scald you eyeballs.)
- Mix honey with the milk and stir well.
- Put the solution in a sterilized eyedropper.
- Put 2-3 drops of the solution in the infected eyes.
The solution will sting like a bee, but it’ll help you to get rid of pink eye.
2. Salt Water Wash
Salt is a natural antibiotic and kills bacteria, which comes in its contact. Therefore, saline eye drops are often recommended by the doctors to help ease the symptoms of pink eye. Or you can prepare your own salt water wash at home if you are too lazy to go to a doctor.
— What You Need:
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 eye dropper
— What You Have To Do:
- Boil the water
- Add salt to it
- Let the liquid cool completely
- Then, put it in an eye dropper
- Put 2-3 drops of the cooled salt solution in the infected eyes
- Rinse the eyes with this solution several times a day
- Apply a gentle eye cream to sooth your eyes (optional.)
NOTE: Don’t use the same solution on the second day as it might get contaminated with bacteria or other impurities.
3. Potato Or Cucumber:
Potatoes and cucumbers are by far the most popular remedy for most of the eye related problems including puffy eyes, dark circles and pink eye.
Potatoes contain enzymes, starch and vitamin C that nourish the thin skin around the eyes. Their coldness also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation of the vessels in and under the eyes.
The ascorbic and caffeic acids in cucumbers bring down the water retention in the eyes. This will reduce the swelling, inflammation and puffiness around the eyes.
— What You Need:
- 2 potato slices large enough to cover the eye and the area around it.
- 2 cucumber slices
— What You Have To Do:
- Place the potato or cucumber slices on your eyes for 20 minutes.
- After that, rinse your eyes with water.
For best results, keep the potato slices and cucumber in the refrigerator before placing them on the eyes.
4. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds help in the constriction of the enlarged blood vessels and are therefore, one of the best herbal remedies for pink eye.
— What You Need:
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup water
— What You Have To Do:
- Boil the fennel seeds in the water
- Allow them to steep for half an hour
- Strain the water and remove the fennel seeds
- Let it cool down completely
- Then, rinse your eyes with it
For better results, you can refrigerate the concoction for some time.
Finally
You can use your pink eye to repel people you don’t like but it’ll also repel those whom you like. So, use the above mentioned home remedies and end your search for questions like – How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye?
If you have your own remedy for conjunctivitis, then do share it with us in the comments. Don’t forget to share it with your buddies, if any of the above remedies worked out for you.