Pink Eye: 6 Excellent Home Remedies To Cure Pink Eye

Pink eye is a very common eye infection prevailing in both children as well as adults. Every year, around 6–10 million cases of pink eye are reported worldwide. Continue reading to learn more about pink eye, its causes, symptoms, and effective treatments.

Pink eye is very common and some types of pink eye spread quickly. Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, produces swelling and redness on the inside of your eyelid and the white area of your eye, making your eye itchy and uncomfortable.

Not sure what gets rid of pink eye fast? Mild cases of conjunctivitis or pink eye can resolve on their own within a few days with no medical intervention. However, if you have severe symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible and try some home treatments such as over-the-counter pain killer medications, lubricating eye drops, cold or warm compresses over eyelids, and so on.

What is Pink Eye?

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white area of your eye. [1] Pink eye is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or an incompletely opened tear duct in babies. Children are particularly susceptible. It is very infectious and spreads quickly in schools and day-care centers, although it is rarely serious. It’s quite unlikely to harm your vision, especially if you catch it early and treat it promptly.

Pink eye: What Causes It?

Pink eye is a relatively frequent eye condition that can be caused by several factors [2], including:

Various common bacteria and viruses, including those that even cause

the common cold

Shampoos, dirt, smoking, and pool chlorine are all irritants that can

cause pink eye

An allergic response to eye drops
An allergic response to substances such as pollen, dust, or smoke
It might also be linked to a specific form of allergy that affects some contact

lens wearers

Amoebas, fungi, and parasites
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can sometimes also be caused by sexually

transmitted infections (STDs).

What Are the Symptoms of Pink Eye?

The signs and symptoms vary depending on the origin of the inflammation, but some frequent visible symptoms include:

Observing unidentified redness in the white area of the eye
Conjunctiva that is swollen
Observing more tears than usual
Thick yellow discharge from the eyelashes, particularly

after sleeping. When you wake up, your eyelids may become sticky

Eye discharge that is green or white
A sensation of itching and burning in the eyes
Vision impairment
More light sensitivity

How long does pink eye last?

The majority of conjunctivitis cases are minor. Without any treatment or prescribed antibiotic medications, the pink eye infection normally clears up within 7 to 14 days with no severe long-term consequences on human health. However, in some cases, conjunctivitis might take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up.

A doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat more severe cases of conjunctivitis. For conjunctivitis, these antibiotics are typically given topically as eye drops or ointment. Antibiotics may help decrease the duration of the illness, reduce complications, and prevent the infection from spreading to others.

Types of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is usually caused by common cold viruses, allergic reactions, and certain harmful chemicals. Pink eye can also be caused by someone with a respiratory infection coughing or sneezing near you. Another major cause could be when you have a cold virus yourself and blow your nose too hard. [3]

In general, there are three types of pink eye:

Infectious Conjunctivitis

Infectious pink eye is classified into two types: bacterial and viral.

Staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria cause bacterial pink eye.

It is usually caused by touching your eyes with dirty hands, exchanging

cosmetics and makeup products, or having direct contact with someone who has

conjunctivitis. [4]

People usually get affected by viral pink eye due to certain common

cold viruses. It can happen if someone close to you coughs or sneezes with an

upper respiratory illness. It can also happen if you have a cold virus and blow

your nose forcefully. [5]

Conjunctivitis due to allergies (Allergic conjunctivitis)

The majority of people who develop allergic pink eye have seasonal allergies. They can get pink eye if they come into contact with a material to which they are allergic. [6]

If you wear hard contact lenses or soft contact lenses that aren’t

replaced frequently enough, you might get an allergic kind of pink eye called giant

papillary conjunctivitis. [7]

Chemical Conjunctivitis

Chemical conjunctivitis/pink eye can be caused by irritants such as:

Chlorine in pools
Air pollution
Exposure to other harmful chemicals

How do you treat pink eye overnight?

If you have pink eye symptoms, the quickest way to address them is to visit your doctor. Pink eye disorders are treated differently depending on their type.

If you have bacterial pink eye, which is one of the most prevalent

types of pink eye, your doctor will generally prescribe antibiotic eye drops.

The research found that using antibiotic eye drops can reduce the duration of

pink eye. [8]

Note: Antibiotic eye drops will not help the other causes, whether viral, allergic, or irritant. This is because bacteria are not the cause in these cases if you have pink eye.

How to prevent the spread of infectious pink eye?

Pink eye, both viral and bacterial, is very infectious. These can very quickly be transferred from one individual to another. [9] By practicing good hygiene and cleanliness, you can lower your chances of contracting conjunctivitis or transmitting it to others. [10]

Keeping washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and

warm water throughout the day.

Wash your hands well before and after cleansing your infected eye or applying eye drops or ointment to it.
Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes. This may aggravate your disease or transmit it to your other eye.
Wash any discharge from your eye(s) multiple times a day with clean hands and a clean, moist washcloth or fresh cotton ball. After using cotton balls, dispose them.
Use a different eye drop dispenser or bottle for infected and non-infected eyes.
Wash pillows, sheets, washcloths, and towels in hot water and detergent regularly, and wash your hands after handling such things.
Clean eyeglasses. Make sure not to infect anything (such as hand towels) that may be shared by others.
Contact lenses should be cleaned, stored, and replaced as directed by your eye doctor.
Personal items such as pillows, towels, eye drops, cosmetics, makeup brushes, contact lenses,eyeglasses or contact lens storage cases should never be shared.
Swimming pools should not be used.

What is the fastest home remedy for viral pink eye?

You can try the following lifestyle and home remedies to get rid of pink eye to help you manage the signs and symptoms of the pink eye until it goes away:

Apply a cold or warm compress over your eyes

Soak a clean cloth in water and rinse it out. Apply it to your closed eyes. A cool water compress will often feel the most calming, but you can also use a warm compress if it seems more comforting to you.

Note: If you have pink eye in only one eye, avoid touching both eyes with the same cloth. This reduces the possibility of pink eye spreading from one eye to the other.

Try eye drops

Attempt over-the-counter eye drops, commonly known as artificial tears which may reduce severe signs and symptoms of pink eye. Some eye drops contain antihistamines or other drugs that might be beneficial to those suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. [11]

Stop wearing contact lenses

If you wear contact lenses, you should take them out until your eyes feel better. The duration of time you must go without contact lenses is determined by the cause of your conjunctivitis.

Pink-eye treatment myths

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a relatively common eye condition. Most people believe that they understand what pink eye is, yet there are several misunderstandings regarding it. Here are some typical misconceptions and myths concerning pink-eye remedies.

Myth No. 1: If you don’t rub your eyes, you won’t get pink eye.

One of the most common causes of conjunctivitis is touching your eyes with dirty hands. However, if your eye comes into touch with any contaminated object or substance, such as inadequately cleaned contact lenses, makeup, lotions, and so on, it might get infected.

Myth No. 2: Pink eye is always contagious and infectious.

There are several types and causes of pink eye, and not all of them are contagious. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are very infectious. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis is more common in persons who have seasonal allergies, and chemical conjunctivitis is caused by contact with irritants such as smog or chlorine in swimming pool water.

Myth No. 3: You never need to see a doctor if you have conjunctivitis.

Pink eye rarely requires medical attention and usually resolves on its own. However, it can occasionally lead to certain severe difficulties. If you have any of the following symptoms such as discomfort in the eyes, hazy vision, and a compromised immune system, you should consult your doctor. [12]

Myth No. 4: Conjunctivitis has no treatment.

Conjunctivitis is usually minor and resolves on its own. However, depending on the kind of conjunctivitis, medications can relieve certain symptoms. Artificial tears and eye drops can relieve dryness, warm or cold compresses can soothe inflamed eyes and reduce inflammation, and antibiotic medication can relieve symptoms when the pink eye is caused by allergens.

Myth No. 5: You’re resistant to conjunctivitis after you’ve experienced it.

Regardless of the type of pink eye, having it once does not protect you against getting it again. To avoid infection, avoid rubbing your eyes, wash your hands frequently, do not share towels or cosmetics, and properly clean your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Conjunctivitis can spread from one eye to the other. Make sure you don’t touch the unaffected eye with anything that has been in contact with the infected eye.

FAQs

Can pink eye be cured naturally?

It is entirely dependent on the reason for the pink eye. Mild cases of conjunctivitis, both viral and bacterial pink eye, can heal on their own within a few days with no medical intervention. People must use cold or hot compresses to minimize swelling while pink eye recovers.

Should I call my doctor about pink eye?

Pink eye might need a visit to the doctor. It all depends on the type of pink eye you get and how severe it is. If you’re in pain or having difficulties seeing, your eye is generating a lot of pus, or your symptoms have lasted a week or longer, contact your ophthalmologist right away. [13]

How do you get rid of pink eye fast?

The quickest approach to curing bacterial pink eye symptoms is to consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to decrease the duration of pink eye and relieve some severe conjunctivitis signs and symptoms.

How do you treat pink eye at home?

Pink eye treatments are often focused on relieving certain severe symptoms. Your doctor may advise you to use antibiotic eye drops, wipe your eyes with a wet cloth, and use cold or warm compresses many times each day. If you wear contact lenses, you should avoid using them until your therapy is over.

Wrapping Up

Pink eye is rarely severe, and the good news is that it is curable and preventative. Pink eye can heal on its own without treatment unless it is severe.

Treatment of bacterial or viral pink eye with different antibiotic drugs and eye drops can decrease the period you or your child will be infectious. To relieve discomfort during healing, apply a cold or warm cotton compress.

The greatest thing you can do is take the necessary precautions to avoid transmitting pink eye to others or getting it again. If you have any questions, concerns, or observe any serious signs and symptoms, call your healthcare doctor immediately and get medical help.