The medical name of Pink Eye is Conjunctivitis. It is one of the most common eye infections in children and adults. Viruses, bacteria, or allergens are responsible for pink eye. If you or any of your family members experience such conditions, try to find out whether the pink eye is caused by allergies or infection; as each condition has different treatments. Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventions of Conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
Actually, pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva that lines a human's eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. With pink eye, the white part becomes light pink to reddish.
Common signs of Conjunctivitis are as follows:
-Becomes red or pink in the white part of the eye
-Increased amount of tears
-Itchy eyes and nose
-Blurred vision
-Sneezing
-Swelling of the eyelid
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When you are affected by Conjunctivitis, you may experience these symptoms usually in both eyes but not always equally.
If you have any of these persistent symptoms, make sure you consult an ophthalmologist.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
-The main cause of the allergy to pink eye or conjunctivitis is the body's reaction to allergens including pollen from trees, plants, grasses, and weeds; dust mites; molds; dander from pets; medicines; or cosmetics.
-It happens often among people with other allergic conditions like hay fever, asthma, and eczema.
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Home remedies for Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis:
Check here 6 effective home remedies that can help you treat allergic conjunctivitis:
Cold compress
A cold compress is a comfort measure you can take that can provide you instant relief. To apply this remedy take one or more small pieces of linen cloth and then dip the cloth in cold water. It would be better if you dip the cloth in ice-cold water. Remember, you have to remove the excess water from the cloth before applying it to your eyes.
This cold compress is so useful that it can help you reduce itchiness and swelling caused due to an unknown substance that has entered the eyes. You need to repeat this system several times for at least 5-10 minutes. To get good results it is recommended to use different cloth pieces for both eyes to avoid the infection from increasing.
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Saline solution
Another effective home remedy against allergic pink eye or conjunctivitis is washing your eyes with saline solution. A saline solution is a concoction of common salt and water. So, you can use the saline solution as an eyewash as the saline solution helps decrease inflammation and irritation in the eyes. However, never use hot saline solution which can cause more harm to your eyes than good.
Rose water
Naturally, rose water is excellent as it has anti-inflammatory and soothing resources. Rose water is not only cool but soothing for the eyes also. It is great and helps to get rid of the dust particle that caused allergic conjunctivitis in the first place.
If you are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, you can use a few drops of rose water a day in the infected eye. Uses of 2-3 days can help you treat allergic conjunctivitis. Besides, you can use cotton balls dipped in rose water over your eyes to minimize the irritation of your eyes.
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Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera has compounds namely aloin and emodin that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects. So, aloe vera gel is an important and effective home remedy for allergic conjunctivitis or pink eye.
Moreover, aloe vera helps to bring down inflammation and speeds up the healing process against the allergy caused due to dust particles. You can apply aloe vera gel around the infected area as soon as you notice the symptoms of allergic pink eye. Generally, aloe vera does not have any inauspicious effects on the cornea of the eye.
Turmeric
Usually, turmeric powder is famous for its many known healing properties. Besides, it is very effective and result-oriented against allergic conjunctivitis or pink eye. You can use turmeric to soothe your affected eye because it helps to reduce inflammation of the eyes. Because of its antibacterial properties, it can prevent any further infection of the eye.
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Take a piece of cotton or cloth and soak it in a pot of boiled turmeric water. Then use the soaked and warm cloth piece to treat allergic conjunctivitis. It will also work as a warm compress. But don’t use so much hot cloth.
Chamomile tea bag
Chamomile tea is another excellent cold compress or an eyewash. When you are suffering from swelling and itchiness in the eye, you can use this remedy. Take two tea bags of chamomile tea and dip them for 5 minutes in a cup of hot water.
When they become cool, put them in the refrigerator and apply them as a cold compress over the eyes. For better results, do this 3-4 times a day for 2-3 days. As chamomile tea has anti-microbial properties, it is an effective home remedy for allergic conjunctivitis.
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Preventive measures for Conjunctivitis
-Don't touch your eyes with your hands unnecessarily.
-Wash your hands frequently.
-Use a clean towel and washcloth always.
-Don't share towels or washcloths with others.
-Change your pillowcases when you feel they are not clean.
-Don’t use eye cosmetics like mascara.
-Don't share eye cosmetics or personal eye care items with other people.
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Bottom Line
Pink eye or Conjunctivitis can result from many causes. However, it is not highly contagious like infected pink eye. Home remedies are the most common and effective treatments for allergic pink eye, and in most cases, you can relief from it without prescription drugs. To prevent transmission, make sure you practice good hand washing and avoid touching the eyes and face every now and then. Of course, go to your doctor if you feel something serious.