Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is a very frustrating condition affecting the eye. It is in fact an infection that usually requires medical treatment but it can also be successfully treated with home remedies.
About conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an infection of conjunctiva, the lining that covers the eyeball and the inner side of the eyelids. This inflammatory condition is very contagious and it includes symptoms like itching, redness, watery eyes, dryness, blurred vision, irritation, burning and sometimes a sticky discharge.
This type of inflammation can result from a number of infectious factors, such as viral infections, common cold, measles, herpes zoster or herpes simplex, and also from bacterial infections like staphylococcus, streptococcus and hemophilus.
Certain environmental factors are also known for causing conjunctivitis. Those include pollution, smoke, dry weather, as well as allergic reactions and various irritants.
Home remedies for conjunctivitis
There are many over-the-counter medications, usually in form of eye drops and ointments, which can help against conjunctivitis. However, those often come with adverse side effects and many people prefer treating this type of infection with home remedies.
Vegetable juices may seem like a strange solution for conjunctivitis, but some of them, like carrot juice, spinach or parsley juice, are quite effective. They, of course, should not be applied to the eye but drank in large amounts.
Another type of juice, the one made from a cup of Indian gooseberry and a few teaspoons of honey, can and should be applied to the eye using a soaked gauze, twice a day until the infection is gone.
A solution made from a cup of water and a handful of coriander can be used to wash the eye affected by conjunctivitis in order to soothe the irritation and burning. Another great liquid used for washing is rosewater.
Aloe vera is a plant that solves many medical issues, and conjunctivitis is certainly one of them. It can be applied by soaking a clean cloth in the extract or fresh aloe juice and pressing it gently against the eye.
A wet chamomile bag can be applied as a compress in order to alleviate the symptoms of conjunctivitis and to shorten the duration of the infection.
Calendula herb has amazing antiviral and antibacterial properties and it speeds up the recovery process. It can be purchased in a herbal store.
However, one of the simplest remedies for conjunctivitis is to grate a large slice of potato and to put it over the inflamed eye for 15 minutes each day.
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