Pink eye can cause discomfort and itching in your eye. There is also the appearance of constant tears, which make thing even worse. Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis and is very contagious. It takes about 7 to 10 days for the infection to go away. However, there are home remedies which have proved very beneficial for pink eye. This makes healing faster. These home remedies help in getting you relief from the redness, tears, mucus and inflammation associated with pink eye.
Home Remedies for Pink Eye:
Black and green tea:
Black and green tea is well known for their immense benefits. They are full of f bio-flavonoids, which can fight bacterial and viral infections, and reduce the inflammation due to pink eye. All you have to do is to soak a couple of tea bags in water for a few minutes. Now take out these tea bags and place them over your eyes. Let them remain for about 15 to 20 minutes. Discard them after your use. Green and black tea contains tannins, which help you in reducing the infection and the swelling experienced in your eyes. Do not throw way the water in which you soaked the tea bags. You can use this water as eyewash.
Boric acid eyewash:
Boric acid is also known for its antiseptic properties, which makes it great for the treatment of pink eye. Take clean boiled water and mix boric acid to it. Flush your eyes using this water. This will provide you instant relief from pink eye symptoms.
Cucumber:
Cucumber is very beneficial for treating pink eye. It is a natural remedy for getting you relief from the irritation in the eye and the inflammation you have when you suffer from this infectious disease. Take two slices of cucumber and place them in ice cold water for about 10 minutes. Now take them out and place them over your eyes. Let them remain for 15 to 20 minutes and then you can remove them. You will feel great relief from the symptoms of pink eye by putting the slices of cucumber on your eyes.
Golden seal:
Golden seal is herbal plant, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. A compound called berberine in this plant helps in treating infections and killing bacteria. Dissolve two teaspoons of golden seal in a cup of boiling water. Now take two cotton balls and dip them in this mixture. Place them on your eyes and wait for a few minutes. You will get relief. You can also make eye drops using golden seal, chamomile and comfrey. Put all the ingredients in one cup of boiled water and soak for 15 minutes. Strain it and use the solution as eye drops.
Hot and cold compress:
Pink eye infection is very irritating. It can cause itching, swelling, discharge as also a burning sensation in your eyes. You can apply a hot compress on your eyes to get relief from the discharge. Take a clean washcloth and wet it with warm water. Place this warm cloth over your eyes for about 5 minutes. If you have burning sensation in your eyes, you can use cold compress. It is also good for itching and inflammation. Take sterile gauze and soak it in water. Now place the soaked gauze in the freezer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you can take it out and place it over your eyes. This will have a cooling effect on your eyes and provides you instant relief.
Honey:
The antibacterial and antibiotic properties of honey are known from ages. Take three tablespoons of honey and mix it well with two cups of water. Now you have to boil this mixture. Once it starts boiling, remove it from the flame and let it cool down to room temperature. Use this eyewash to rinse your eyes. Washing your eyes with honey eyewash helps in getting rid of the symptoms and also makes the healing process faster.
Milk:
Milk is excellent for healing pink eye. Take two cotton balls and dip them in some cold milk. Place these cotton balls on your eyes. This provides you great relief. Apply it this way a few times for best results. You can also warm the milk and use it as a hot compress or wash your eyes with it. This also provides you a soothing effect. When you use warm milk for washing your eyes, you have to first test it on your skin to make sure that it is not too warm that it burns your eyes.
Potato:
Potato is a common vegetable found in all households. It is great for healing pink eye and getting you relief from the pain and irritation associated with it. Cut thin slices of raw potato and keep these slices on your eyes, and wait for about 20 to 30 minutes. This helps in reducing redness and swelling on the eyes. After you use the slices, discard them. Apply potato slices several times a day on your eyes. This is sure to give you positive results within a few days.
Pro-biotic:
Pro-biotic has the power to kill the harmful bacteria in your body. It is also good for treating pink eye and helps in fighting against the infection. You can use natural yogurt or kefir for treating pink eye. Take two cotton balls and soak them in natural yogurt or kefir. Apply them on your eyes. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and you will notice a reduction in the symptoms. It also makes the healing process faster.
Saltwater eyewash:
Salt has antiseptic properties and therefore saltwater is very effective for treating pink eye. However, you will have to cope up with the stinging feel when you apply saltwater in your eyes. Boil one cup of distilled water and add 1 teaspoon of salt to it. Mix well and let the solution cool down. Now squirt this eyewash into your eyes with the help of an eyedropper. Repeat it several times and this will give you relief from the symptoms of pink eye.