Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, can be caused by a number of sources and the pink eye remedies that are used to treat the condition will differ based on the type of conjunctivitis that has been contracted. The three principle types of conjunctivitis are those caused by allergies, bacterial infections, and viral infections.
Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common cause of pink eye. Generally, the symptoms of this form will clear up without any necessary medication. However, severe or persistent cases may require that the patient use antihistamines to control the problem. Home remedies for pink eye that is caused by allergies include placing chamomile tea bags on the eye to relieve pressure and irritation. Another pink eye home remedy is to use the herb eyebright. This substance can be found in the form of eye drops specifically designed to help with the condition when caused by allergy sources. For quick, immediate relief, one of the best pink eye home remedies is to make a cool compress with a clean cloth and place it on the affected eye.
Pink eye caused by viral conjunctivitis will often go away on its own as well. This is differentiated from the bacterial version by the presence of a watery discharge while bacterial conjunctivitis usually has a green or yellow discharge from the eyes. One pink eye home remedy that works for viral infections is to use a warm compress to provide relief and remove any crust that has built up on the eye. Severe cases may not respond to pink eye home remedies and may need an antiviral medication to be resolved. Using raw potato slices will not cure the infection, but it will help to reduce swelling on and around the eye. A fresh potato should be used and the cut slice should be placed directly on the eye for at least three nights in a row.
Bacterial infections can cause pink eye that may need antibiotic medication to be treated. Similar to those caused by viral sources, a warm compress can be used to treat milder cases. Patients should take care to make sure they use clean towels and washcloths to avoid spreading the bacteria and to prevent introducing new pathogens to the infected eye. Home remedies for pink eye that is caused by a bacterial source can include boric acid and saltwater. Both are effective in the same manner, working to kill the actual infection. Another option is to use honey for treatment. A patient can either dilute the honey in water or place it directly on the affected eye. Honey has natural antibiotic properties and will promote rapid healing. Pink eye remedies may not work for everyone, but they can be an excellent place to start when a patient needs quick relief from pink eye symptoms.