4 Simple Tips to Get Rid of Pink Eye at Home
We all love summer for its sunshine and the
ability to finally spend a bit more time in nature, but the same
activities expose us to germs and allergens, making us a lot more likely
to get conjunctivitis, or as it is known by most - pink eye. In the
vast majority of cases, pink eye is a condition you can treat at home
with over-the-counter products and things you already have at home. To
help you treat this annoying condition safely and effectively, we’ve
listed several useful tips below, as well as a quick guide to different
types of the condition.
There Are 4 Different Kinds of Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or
infection of the transparent membrane that covers the eye white called
the conjunctiva. When this happens, it can make your eyes red, itchy,
and irritated. Depending on the variety of pink eye, you can also
experience discharge from the eyes. In order to treat this condition
properly and safely, you’ll need to determine the kind of conjunctivitis
you’re experiencing first.
According to Mayo Clinic here 4 main varieties of pink eye:
Bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by many different types of
bacteria and its characteristic symptom is mucus or discharge that can
make your eyes crusty and even make your eyelashes stick together. It
typically clears up within 4-5 days, but more serious cases will require
a trip to the doctor and treatment with antibiotics.
Viral conjunctivitis is a common symptom of a cold or any other
respiratory viral infection. These infections tend to last longer than
bacterial ones and can only be treated symptomatically.
Allergic pink eye is a common symptom of an allergic reaction. It
usually subsides within a day or two after you take allergy medication
and minimize contact with the allergen.
Irritative conjunctivitis is the result of intense rubbing, dry eye,
exposure to pollutants like smog, cigarette smoke, or soap. In order to
treat this condition, avoid the irritants, and follow the topical
treatment tips we list below.
How to Treat Pink Eye
After you’ve determined the cause of the conjunctivitis, you also have
to assess its severity. Although most cases can be safely treated at
home, more serious and severe cases require medical assistance. The
American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO) states you should visit a
doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
You're experience pain
You have trouble seeing
Your eyes become sensitive to light
Your symptoms persist for a week or more
Your symptoms are getting worse after a few days
Your eye produces a lot of mucus
You have a fever or body aches.
If your symptoms are not severe, however, you can safely treat your
symptoms at home. Here are some useful tips for treating pink eye at
home:
1. Avoid the Cause
The first thing you should do is to avoid
the cause of the conjunctivitis, if possible. That means staying away
from swimming pools if you suspect chlorine is the cause, closing any
open windows if you're suffering from seasonal allergies, and not
rubbing your eyes with your hands, no matter what the cause of the
condition, as rubbing will only worsen your symptoms and potentially
introduce other pathogens.
2. Stop Wearing Contacts and Makeup for a Few Days
Doctors mostly recommend avoiding wearing
reusable contact lenses for 10-12 or until the condition clears up in
those who suffer from viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, as these can
harbor pathogens and be the cause of reinfection in some cases. Makeup
wearers should also avoid applying eyeliner, mascara, fake eyelashes, or
other eye makeup during any eye infection for the same reasons.
But really, we'd recommend avoiding both of these things for everyone
who is experiencing pink eye, not only bacterial and viral cases because
both contacts and eye makeup can further irritate the eyes and hinder
recovery.
3. Apply Eye Compresses
Depending on the type of pink eye you're
experiencing, cold or warm eye compresses can help relieve the
discomfort you're experiencing:
Cold compresses will work well at soothing the itching and
irritation if the pink eye is caused by an allergy, irritation, or a
virus. To apply a cold compress, simply soak a clean towel or cloth in
cold water, remove the excess water by wringing it out, and cover your
eyes for a few minutes. You can repeat this process several times a
day.
Warm compresses will be beneficial to those suffering from bacterial
conjunctivitis, as they will help loosen and remove mucus from the eye
area. Follow the same instructions as in the cold compresses, but use
warm water (not too hot, it shouldn't burn to the touch) and keep the
compress on until the towel cools down.
4. Use Hydrating Eye Drops
This method works for all cases of
conjunctivitis, as lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial
tears, will help moisturize, soothe, and flush out any irritants from
your eye. Artificial tears are available in all pharmacies
over-the-counter. You can use them several times a day, and you can even
put them in the fridge to keep them cool and have an even more soothing
cooling effect. Importantly, doctors advise against using Visine or
other redness-reducing drops if you have pink eye, as these may sting,
feel uncomfortable, and even worsen your symptoms.
Lastly, we'd like to give you a few more hygienic tips that will help
clear out conjunctivitis faster and prevent it from spreading to others
if you have a viral or bacterial pink eye:
1. Don't share towels, pillows, or anything that touches the eyes with
others.
2. Use a fresh face towel, pillowcase, and sheets every day until your
conjunctivitis is gone.
3. Don't touch your eyes with your hands, and if you do, wash them
immediately.