Pink eye refers to the redness of the membrane that surrounds the eye lid and the surface of the eye. This membrane is also known as the conjunctiva. In a perfectly healthy eye, this membrane is often clear, so that infections cause irritation and reddening of the conjunctiva. This reddening may also be accompanied by swelling of the membrane.

Other symptoms include persistent tearing and feeling as though there are foreign bodies in one’s eyes. Pink eye is rather common, and tends to resolve on its own within 10 days, usually without the need for medical intervention. If, however, the condition does not resolve within a week, you are advised to see an optician for proper medical diagnosis. Use natural treatment as a second alternative.

tea bag

Some of the causes of pink eye include viral or bacterial infections, chemical exposure in the environment, allergic reactions as well as the drying out of the eyes due to excessive heat or wind. The most common cause is a viral infection, and for this reason, individuals who get pink eye must be cautious to avoid spreading the infection. Some of the preventive measures that you can take include sharing of personal clothing, poor hand-washing techniques as well as constantly rubbing your eyes. Below are the top remedies for pink eye.


1. Home-Made Saline Eye Drops:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Cup of distilled/boiled water, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt (sea salt may be used too) and eye dropper.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Saline eye drops are one of the easiest and most popular home remedies for the natural treatment of pink eye. The salt present acts as a natural disinfectant that gets rid of any impurities in the eye. The use of warm water works to ease the discomfort and irritation of the pink eye. Note that the water used for this remedy must strictly be boiled or distilled prior to use as this prevents the introduction of potential infections.

Directions:

  1. Boil the cup of water; when boiled, turn off the heat.
  2. Add the salt and stir for a few seconds for complete dissolution.
  3. Set the saline solution aside to cool so that it attains a temperature that is comfortable to use for your inflamed eyes.
  4. Using the eye dropper, put 3 drops of the saline solution in both eyes.
  5. Use this natural remedy severally during the day until the infection clears.

 


2. Black Teabags:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Black tea bags (preferably refrigerated), strainer and warm water.
 Difficulty: Easy

 

Black tea bags are a simple and convenient home remedy for the treatment of pink eye. The tea bags are rich in tannins, a set of natural compounds that are known to provide relief from the inflammation and characteristic itching. One of the best advantages of using these tea bags is that they have a high concentration of bio flavanoids, a set of chemical compounds that helps get rid of the viral or bacterial infections. There are two ways you can use the black tea bags. The first is by using them as a compress and the second alternative is to use the solution as a natural eyewash.

Directions:

Using the Compress:

  1. Place the fresh black tea bag in warm water and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes.
  2. Refrigerate the tea bag for another 5 minutes and then place the used teabags on your eyes for 10 minutes.
  3. Discard the used tea bags to prevent re-infection when used later.
  4. Use this remedy at least thrice daily to get relief from the symptoms of pink eye.

Using Eye Drops:

  1. Place the fresh black tea bag in warm water and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes.
  2. Strain the solution and discard the used tea bag.
  3. Use the solution as an eye wash, especially in the morning and evening when most people find that eye irritation is at its peak.

 


3. Warm or Cold Compress:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Clean face towels and hot/cold water (depending on your choice).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Compresses work well for the treatment of the pink eye, particularly if the condition results from the presence of allergens in the eye. The choice of hot water is preferred because it soothes the affected eyes and provides relief from eye irritation. Cold compresses on the other hand, work effectively to prevent inflammation. Your choice of compress also helps reduce the amount of discharge produced by the eye. Both compresses are pretty easy to use.

Note that you are required to have two clean face towels for each eye. If only one eye is infected, you must avoid using the same face towel for both eyes as this could cause an infection in the affected eye. Additionally, avoid soaking the used towels a second time in the water without washing them as this only creates a cycle for the infection to occur.

Directions:

  1. Soak both face towels in your preferred water for a couple of minutes.
  2. Squeeze the excess water from both towels before placing on each eye.
  3. Allow both towels to remain on the eye for anywhere between 5 minutes and 10 minutes for best results.
  4. Wash both towels before your next use.
  5. Use this remedy at least thrice daily until the pink eye clears.

 


4. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of raw organic Apple cider vinegar (abbreviated ACV), 1 cup of distilled water and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Organic apple cider vinegar is a handy remedy for a myriad of health conditions. This is because it is laden with antimicrobial properties that help eliminate the infection-causing microorganisms that lead to the pink eye. More notably, the presence of malic acid in the ACV helps with the treatment of the pink eye that results from bacterial infections. It is important to carry out a patch test prior to using the remedy to avoid further irritation.

Directions:

  1. Add the tablespoon of organic ACV to the distilled water in order to dilute it.
  2. Dip the cotton wool in the dilute ACV solution and proceed to place it on your eyes for a few seconds.
  3. You will then wipe the eye with the wet cotton wool before discarding the wool.
  4. Repeat the same procedure for the other eye.
  5. You may add a drop of the solution to the eyes, but this has the potential to cause stinging and irritation so it is not advisable.
  6. Use this remedy every couple of hours for three days to clear the infection.

 


5. Raw Potato:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: Slices of raw potato and cold water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

If you are looking for a simple remedy for the treatment of pink eye, then look no further than the use of raw potato. The raw potato works as an astringent, thus providing relief from the symptoms of the condition. The coolness of the potatoes also works by reducing the inflammation of the eye.

Directions:

  1. Wash the potato and peel it before chopping it into wedges.
  2. Place the wedges on the infected eye(s). If both eyes are infected, make sure you use different wedges for both eyes.
  3. Leave the potato wedges on the eyes for about 20 minutes.
  4. Rinse your eyes with cold water and repeat the procedure at least thrice daily.

 


7.Home-Made Turmeric Compress:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of turmeric powder, boiled water, cotton wool and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric is an excellent antibiotic, and it is this property that makes it perfect for use as a home remedy for the treatment of the pink eye. Since you cannot add the powder directly to your eye, this remedy requires you to prepare a paste which you will use as a compress on your eyes. Use distilled water for this remedy to avoid introducing infections to the uninfected eye.

Directions:

  1. Add water to the turmeric powder so that you have a thick consistent paste.
  2. Using the cotton wool, dab some of the paste on your infected eye(s).
  3. Apply gentle pressure on the compress in order to get the most of the turmeric compress.
  4. Let the compress remain on the eyes for 20 minutes.
  5. Rinse your eyes with warm water and use this remedy at least three times daily.

 


8. Milk and Honey:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of raw warm milk, 1 tablespoon of raw unfiltered honey and a sterilized eye dropper.
Difficulty: Easy

 

The mixture of milk and honey makes for an excellent home remedy for the pink eye, and more specifically that which results from allergic reactions. Milk is a soothing remedy, and thus helps to eliminate the itching and irritation. Honey on the other hand, has excellent antimicrobial properties which go a long way in hastening the healing of your infected eyes. To get the most out of this remedy, use warm milk as it enhances healing and is gentle on your eyes.

Directions:

  1. Warm the raw milk using a water bath, or directly over medium heat to prevent it from boiling over.
  2. The key is to get the milk warm, not scalding hot.
  3. Stir in the raw honey in order to mix the two ingredients evenly.
  4. Use a sterilized eye dropper to place 3 drops of the mixture into each eye. Doing so may feel a tad bit uncomfortable, but the healing powers of the two ingredients make the remedy well worth it.
  5. The best time to use this remedy is at bedtime as the period of sleep will allow you to get the most of the remedy.

 


9. Breast Milk:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1/4 Cup of breast milk and sterilized eye dropper.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Generally, one of the best ways to treat eye conditions is to include probiotic remedies. For the pink eye, perhaps nothing beats the use of breast milk. This milk has a balanced pH that is packed with probiotics which are great for healing the infected eye(s). Of course this only works if you can get access to breast milk, or are a lactating mom. The advantage of this remedy is that it works for both adults and children.

Directions:

  1. Use the sterilized eye dropper to put 3 drops of the breast milk in each eye.
  2. You may need to use this remedy severally during the day to clear the infection within a couple of days.

 


10. Calendula Herb:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of dried calendula flowers, a cup of boiling hot water, cheesecloth and clean towel (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Calendula herb is a popular remedy for the treatment of pink eye. This is because it is packed with both antibacterial and antiviral properties that help deal with the infection. The use of calendula therefore speeds up the healing process while reducing the irritation and inflammation that characterizes conjunctivitis. You may use the herb solution as an eyewash, or may opt for its use as a warm compress.

Directions:

  1. Place the dried calendula flowers in the hot water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
  2. Allow the solution to cool before straining it through the cheesecloth.
  3. Clean your eyes using the solution as an eye wash.
  4. Alternatively, dip the clean towel in the hot calendula solution and use it as a compress.
  5. Use this remedy at least twice daily to treat the pink eye.

 


Other home remedies that you can use for the treatment of pink eye include boric acid thanks to its soothing and antibacterial properties, aloe vera for its astringent properties as well as probiotic yogurt. Cold bread poultice also works amazingly well as it relieves inflammation that result from the infection. You may also opt to use dilute castor oil for the natural treatment of pink eye. In addition to these remedies, it is important for you to ensure that you wash your hands frequently to prevent spreading the infection. Avoid sharing eye makeup too as this could exarcebate the infections.