How to Treat Pink Eye Naturally

How to Treat Pink Eye Naturally

Brittni Devlin |Mar 29, 2021

Top 3 Pink Eye Natural Remedies

There are many notorious diseases that spread easily and quickly. While they are not all life-threatening, many of these illnesses cause pain or discomfort people want to avoid. Luckily, common diseases, like pink eye, are very treatable and don’t pose much risk. There are many effective remedies you can even try right in your own home.

What Is Pink Eye?

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, refers to the infection or swelling of the tissue that frames your eyelids. This area of the eye, the conjunctiva, is full of tiny blood vessels that are barely noticeable most of the time. However, when inflammation occurs, it exaggerates the vessels and makes the eyes have a reddish or pink appearance.

Redness is a trademark symptom of pink eye, but it is not the only sign of the disease. In addition to discoloration in the whites of one’s eyes, individuals may also experience other symptoms in their eyes, including:

  • Itchiness
  • Grittiness
  • Tearing
  • Discharge

Some of these symptoms may result in a crust forming on the eye that can make it challenging to open them.

What Causes Pink Eye?

Many different events can cause pink eye. To better understand this, consider that “pink eye” is a broad term that classifies several different phenomena. For the most part, pink eye is the result of bacterial or viral infections. It can also be caused by allergens, blocked tear ducts, or deformities (especially in newborns and infants).

It’s important to note that depending on the cause of pink eye, the disease may be highly contagious. While pink eye from things such as allergens or incomplete tear ducts are not contagious, individuals may spread infections through contact.

A physician’s evaluation is needed to determine the exact cause of pink eye. If there is concern about a contagious state of the disease, consider disinfecting contaminated articles to reduce the spread.

Reducing the Spread of Pink Eye

Reducing the spread of pink eye is crucial to keep your household clean. Practicing regular personal hygiene goes a long way. Even if you are not in direct contact with someone suffering from pink eye, you should wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.

You should also regularly wash your clothes, towels, and pillowcases. Avoid sharing cosmetics, washcloths, and any other personal hygiene products. If you contracted pink eye, immediately wash any items you’ve been in contact with. Dispose of any products used directly on your eye (e.g., mascara or eyeliner) and refrain from using contacts until the infection cleared. You can still wear glasses but disinfect them.

Are There Natural Remedies for Pink Eye?

Although there are pharmaceutical interventions to address severe cases of pink eye, there are many natural remedies one may try. In many cases, you just need to wait for pink eye to “run its course.” Treatments involve reducing symptoms for comfort. Top home remedies doctors often recommend include:

  • Artificial tears — these can be purchased over the counter and help alleviate the irritation
  • Regular rinsing — washing out eyes and keeping them clean reduces build-up that prohibits you from opening your eyes
  • Warm compresses — apply several times a day to help break up the build-up and reduce swelling

Most cases do not require further treatment; however, if symptoms persist, you may need antibiotic drops available only through prescription.

When Should I Visit a Doctor?

It is a wise idea to visit a doctor whenever you or your loved one experience any troubling symptoms. Trained medical care physicians are educated to help keep their patients safe and direct you towards the most effective treatment options available.

Pink eye shares many symptoms with other, more severe diseases, so it is important that you have a doctor examine you to make sure that your distress is not a sign of another illness. It’s especially important to keep this in mind if your symptoms are accompanied by light sensitivity, vision disturbances, pain, or feeling like something is lodged in your eye.

It’s highly recommended that you should make an appointment with your doctor if symptoms do not disappear on their own after 12 hours.

Remember that just because something is natural or homeopathic does not mean the treatment is for everyone. Even some holistic interventions have side effects or interactions you should discuss with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend some natural treatments that are safe and effective for you or your loved one.

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10 Most Common Symptoms of Poor Circulation

John David Abundo | March 29, 2021

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9 Signs of Pregnancy to Be Aware Of

Sinead Carey | March 29, 2021

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Follow These 8 Tips to Prevent Balding

Elizabeth Dickson | March 29, 2021

How to Prevent Balding If balding or thinning hair is one of your worries, we have got the solutions for you. In this article, we will chat about the symptoms of balding, the causes, how to prevent balding and how to cope with hair loss. Losing a few strands of hair every day is completely normal, but what do you do when you begin losing more hair than you should? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 80 million people in America have hereditary hair loss (alopecia). In addition, according to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), approximately 25% of men who have hereditary male pattern baldness start losing their hair before the age of 21. By the age of 50, about 85% of men are bald or have significantly thinner hair. 8 Ways to Prevent Balding If genetics is the reason for your hair loss, there might not be a lot that can be done to prevent it. However, these tips can help slow down or prevent loss if other reasons are causing it: Treat your hair gently and avoid pulling; use caution when washing, brushing and styling your hair. Avoid harsh treatments, such as coloring and perms. Protect your hair from the sun; wear a hat and avoid tanning beds. Quit smoking. Some studies suggest there is a link between balding and regular smoking. Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Avoid hot showers and shampoo that causes scalp irritation. Talk to your doctor or dietician about supplements that may help slow down your hair loss. If you are getting treatments for cancer or taking a medication that causes hair loss as a side effect, speak to your doctor about getting a cold cap or other measures to prevent hair loss. If you try the above tactics and still feel that hair loss is negatively impacting your life, it is important to seek out medical advice. First, talk to your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter treatments for hair loss. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. Hair Loss Symptoms Hair loss can look different from person to person, depending on the severity and cause. However, here are some common symptoms to watch for. Slow and Consistent Loss of Hair Starting at the Top of the Head This is the most common form of hair loss. As you age, you can experience thinning of the hair on the top of your head, especially men. In men, this typically looks like a receding hairline or thinning hair or a thinning patch on top of the head. In women, this typically looks like the widening of the part of the hair, along with loss of hair around the forehead. Sudden Loss of Hair It's as if it has become loose from your scalp. Our bodies are extremely sensitive to changes and will work hard to cope with those changes. Therefore, environmental and emotional stress can cause you to lose handfuls of hair at a time. Thankfully, this type of hair loss is typically temporary and will stop once the stressors have been addressed. [youmaylike] Patches of Hair Loss All Over the Scalp With this type of hair loss, hair consistently falls out from the same spot on your scalp. This leaves your scalp with patches or circular spots of missing hair. Not only can this affect the hair on your head, but it can also leave patches of missing hair on your face, such as in your beard or eyebrows. Loss of Both Scalp and Body Hair This type of hair loss is less common than the others. It typically only affects individuals who are taking a strong medication or treatment, such as chemotherapy. The lost hair generally regrows with ease once the treatment has stopped. Causes of Hair Loss There are several reasons why you may experience hair loss, including: Hereditary and genetic factors. Hormonal and systemic body changes. Certain medications and medical conditions. Mechanical stress, such as consistent pulling on the hair. Emotional and environmental factors. Radiation exposure. Some degree of hair loss is entirely normal. Typically, you lose between 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. New hair strands grow at about the same rate, meaning that hair loss isn't generally noticeable until you have exceeded this number.