2. Use an eye drop
Get an eye drop and use it to clean the eyes. Just use any regular eye drop that you have been using. Adhere to the usage instructions. Most eye drops are unfit for use one month after opening the vial, so make sure you have taken care of that.
Eye drops are usually anti-bacterial in nature. But, even if your eye infection is viral in nature, it sure helps. Eye drops cleans the eye off dirt, pus, bacteria and reduce swelling.
( Photo Courtesy: andwat )
3. Potato
Take a raw potato. Cut out a thin slice without the peel. Wash it in cold water and then apply it on the upper and lower eyelid from the outside. It really reduces the trouble in a pink eye. Doing this once every few hours keep the redness and swelling under control.
Why it works ?
Potato contains anti-swelling compounds. It takes away the swelling on the eyelids, reducing strain on eyes and helping them recover faster.
( Photo Courtesy: soilscience )
4. Black Coffee
Dark black aromatic coffee is pleasing to the senses. It is bitter and can be used to take away a pink eye.
- Ingredients
Coffee
Water
Paper towel
- Directions / How to use
Prepare strong, black coffee. When it is warm ( not hot ), dip a paper towel into the coffee and place it on the eyes. Keep it for 5 - 10 minutes then throw them away. Your eyes should definitely feel better.
- Why it works ?
Coffee helps to reduce inflammation. It reduces itching and burning sensation. Discomfort of conjunctivitis is greatly reduced. This effect is attributed to the caffeine in coffee which has an anti-inflammatory effect.
( Photo Courtesy: cahadikincreations )
5. Complete rest
If you have conjunctivitis, do not strain your eyes further. It can lead to further problems like pain, under eye circles etc if you do not take rest. Keep eyes clean and relax, generally in low light conditions. If you wish for entertainment, listen to songs or something. Working with your eyes in mild conjunctivitis really compounds the problem, delaying recovery and creating inroads for more trouble the next day. So, as soon as you suspect a pink eye, take rest.
( Photo Courtesy: malczyk )
6. Garlic
Since pink eye is an infection ( in most cases ), bacterial or viral , it makes sense to use the nature's most commonly available antibiotic. Garlic is excellent for a pink eye, but it burns a lot. Here is how to use it.
- Ingredients
1 garlic clove
Needle
Knife
- Directions / How to use
Take a garlic clove. Peel it up. Now, slice it into half to expose the inner surface. Prick this surface with a clean and sterile needle. Juice would start to ooze from the exposed garlic. Now, gently apply this surface to your lower eyelid ( just above your lower eyelashes ) in a single sweeping motion. Throw away the garlic. Blink your eyes fast for a few seconds and then close them. This ensures that the garlic juice applied on the eyelid enters the eye. It would sting like anything. After 15 - 20 minutes, wash your eye if there is some dirt accumulating in it. Otherwise leave it that way.
- Why it works ?
Garlic kills virus and bacteria on the spot. It should provide prompt relief.
( Photo Courtesy: conskeptical )
7. Warm washcloth
From time to time, perform this home remedy for some relief from pink eye troubles. Take a washcloth and dip it in warm water ( not hot ). Bring it close to the eyes and let them take the steam. Then close your eyes and place the washcloth over them. The warm water provides a soothing sensation. The heat may help you shed some tears which is good for a pink eye.
8. Use tea bags over eyes
Close your eyes and place cool tea bags over the eyelids. This remedy just reduces the swelling.
- Ingredients
Black or green tea bags
- Directions / How to use
After preparing your tea, let the tea bags cool a bit. Then place one tea bag on each eye. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Why it works ?
The tannins in tea take away the swelling and redness. It is quite soothing.
" This also reduces dark circles under the eyes. "
( Photo Courtesy: cinnamonvogue )
9. Sugar water
Add some sugar to some warm water. Stir well so that it dissolves completely. Then add 1 - 2 drops in the affected eye using a dropper. If you do not have a dropper at hand, a straw would do as well. Do this 3 times a day for relief from a pink eye.
( Photo Courtesy: bengarney )
10. Honey in milk
Get fat free or skimmed milk. Boil it and then cool it. Now, use a small vial to keep this milk. Add few drops of honey. Mix well and pour one drop each in both eyes. Then, clean the eyes by splashing water or submerging in water. See if this remedy works. Some people may not like it because of the viscous fluid. Most people prefer a clear, water based eye drop. But, if you have no problem using this, then it should work well for you.
12. Pure Honey drops
If you are averse to applying milk ( especially the pasteurized one ), then you can put pure honey in the eye for a pink eye. Now, people of ancient times used to put honey directly, without diluting it. But, for our purpose, it becomes a little too viscous and discomforting. So, we add it to water. Here is the recipe fo pink eye drops made from honey.
- Ingredients
Pure honey ( raw, organic only )
Water
Straw
- Directions / How to use
Boil water. Cool it a bit. Pour 15 ml of this water into a shot glass. Add 3- 4 drops of honey. Mix really well. Let it cool down. Then fill this into a vial. Use a dropper to put 1 drop in each eye for pink eye.
- Why it works ?
Honey is a wonderful mild natural antibiotic. It helps to get over a pink eye. The viscosity of the drop takes away the pathogen with itself.
( Photo Courtesy: pgpalmer_au )
13. Salt water
Its been too sweet up until now - the honey, the sugar. Salt water is also good for a pink eye. Here is the technique to use.
- Ingredients
Common salt ( rock salt )
Water
Glass
Vial
- Directions / How to use
Sterilize the glass and the vial and all other equipment that you are going to use. Boil the water and put it in the glass. Add 2 pinches of salt to turn it just a little salty. Let the water cool and place it in a vial. Drop it into the eyes using a dropper. Use 2 - 3 drops each time. Do this 3 - 4 times a day.
- Why it works ?
Salt water is a very mild antibiotic and helps to flush away the pathogens from your eye.
( Photo Courtesy: 53771866@N05 )
14. Slice some onion
We all hate cutting onion, but a pink eye is the perfect time to do it. Onion makes us shed loads of tears , which is extremely beneficial for relieving a pink eye. Get some onions and start slicing them. You would feel the same old burning sting in the eyes and you would be literally weeping. After you are done, wash the eyes and relax.
( Photo Courtesy: uberculture )
15. Chamomile flowers eye wash
Boil a few tablespoon of chamomile flowers in water. Strain this liquid and let it cool. Once it below room temperature, use this water to wash the eyes. It is the Native American remedy for this common eye condition.
" You can directly apply a chamomile tea bag after making the tea. It reduces the pain of a pink eye ."
16. Berberis Aristata wash
This herb comes from Himalayas in India and is mentioned in ancient Indian medicine system - Ayurveda as Daruharidra. It is used as ingredient in some herbal eye drops. So, research around and find a eye drop which contains berberis aristata. It works great in reducing inflammation in case of conjunctivitis. If you have a herbal eye drop containing this, pink eye would just be a matter of few hours before it disappears.
17. Coriander leaves wash
Boil some coriander leaves in water. Similar to process described in " Chamomile Flowers eye wash " prepare the eye wash. Strain out the liquid, cool it out and then wash the eyes with it. See if this works.
18. Cineraria maritima Eye Drops
I have an eye drop which contains cineraria maritima as ingredient, which I use daily. It is an excellent eye cleanser, great for preventing cataract and glaucoma in the long run. I did a little info searching on this and found that it works to relieve a pink eye as well. Cineraria maritima is a component in many homeopathic eye drops.
" It stings a lot. I cannot recollect anything that hurts as much as a cineraria maritima eye drop. It really strong. So, avoid using this on kinds and babies. "
19. Ancient Greek remedy Eyebright
It is a flowering herb that was used by the ancient Greeks as a remedy for many eye problems like
dry eyes , including pink eye.It is named for its beneficial effects on the eyes. How to use it ? The mechanism is in the form of an eyewash or an eye drop.You can easily get a herbal eye drop containing Eyebright. This herb earns acclaim from its brilliant ability to treat pink eye.
Most of these remedies work in adults. However, in children, it may not be suitable to use herbs and substances like honey. One should always consult a doctor regarding the use of certain substances and what interaction they may have with any other medication.
Pink eye in Babies
It feels bad to see a toddler troubled by a pink eye. But, one should be cautious when using home remedies on kids. Some of the remedies that you can try are - Black Coffee, Tea bags, Warm washcloth and cold water. Avoid herbs, honey and onion.
Pink eye caused by Allergies
People who suffer from allergies know that one of the most common symptoms of allergy is a red eye. It is essential to spot the allergen and avoid it if you are to get relief from recurring pink eyes. It can be pollen, dust, a plant, a food, or any other thing.
Some precautions to take when you are down with a pink eye.
- Avoid looking in the mirror for long times. It can worsen a pink eye. Just relax and keep applying remedies.
- Avoid poking in the eyes. It hurts and your eyes don't like.
- Do not rub the eyes. Instead apply a potato to relieve the itching. Some people have itching as a symptom of pink eye.
- Avoid using eye makeup for a few days. Pink eye generally lasts 3 - 4 days naturally. Using home remedies helps you recover from pink eye in a day or even faster overnight. So, skip the mascara.
- Clean the contact lenses thoroughly before putting them on. Dirty contact lens is a primary cause of pink eye.
Some other remedies for pink eyes :