mitrobeHOW TO TREAT CONJUNCTIVITIS USING HOME REMEDIES – ZIGIHOW.COM.NG
conjunctivitis, Red eyes or pink eyes is a process or a situation where by the outer layer covering your eyes, the conjunctiva, is inflamed. Fortunately, a number of sound home remedies can help so things don’t get out of hand. They include using warm and cold compresses and remedies such as breast milk and honey. Compresses dipped in water-based solutions containing aloe vera, turmeric, or basil leaves are also quite effective.
The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the white part of your eye. This thin layer of tissue is prone to infections and can develop a common eye disease called conjunctivitis – also called “pink eye” or “red eye.”.
Bloodshot eyes, crusty discharge, and general discomfort – pink eye can be quite the downer. So what exactly happens when you have pink eye? Pink eye may affect one or both eyes. While it usually is a minor infection, there are chances of the infection getting out of hand and causing serious eye problems.
Conjunctivitis can be triggered by bacteria, virus, or allergens like dust mites, pollen, cosmetics, and some medicines. A bacterial infection is usually indicated by a thick, crusty discharge, while swollen glands and a watery or mucousy discharge indicate a viral infection. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis start in one eye and often spread to the other. When both eyes are affected, accompanied by a lot of itching and a watery discharge, it indicates an allergic cause.
The first line of treatment advised by doctors against pink eye is usually a warm or cold compress to reduce the itching and swelling, and artificial tears to wash out irritants from the eye. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, doctors may also recommend antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis, and antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications for viral conjunctivitis.
However, there are things you can do at home to obtain relief and treat conjunctivitis at hkme
They are
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and its components can help fight inflammation and boost healing.
A study showed that mice with allergic conjunctivitis displayed an improvement in their symptoms after turmeric treatment. Turmeric produced an antibody that suppressed the activity of the allergen (foreign agent) and decreased the severity of conjunctivitis.
How To Use
Mix 1 tsp turmeric with water and use the mixture as an eyewash.
For a warm compress, add 1 tbsp turmeric to a cup of boiled water. You can then soak a clean cotton pad or a washcloth in the liquid and apply on the eye.
Keep An Eye Out For: While turmeric has no side effects as a topical compress, it can cause irritation if it enters the eye. So, be careful and keep your eyes gently but firmly closed while using a turmeric compress. Also, make sure you don’t use turmeric in excess as it could leave a yellow stain on the skin.
2. Honey
Avoid using honey that’s more than 5 years old as it may not work as efficiently as fresh honey.
Honey is a rich antimicrobial and antibacterial product and can be safely applied around the eye. It soothes the inflammation and irritation caused by conjunctivitis.
In one study, honey is seen to reduce redness, swelling, and pus discharge in the infected eye and decrease the overall time taken to flush the bacteria out of the system. Another study showed that the application of honey 4 times a day significantly reduced the swelling.
How To Use
Add 3 teaspoons of honey to 2 cups of boiling water.
Cool the mixture and apply it around the eye.
3. Holy Basil Leaves
Fresh tulsi leaves are more effective than the dry ones.
According to traditional Ayurvedic medicine, tulsi or holy basil leaf has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties that can provide relief from conjunctivitis.
How to use
Use tulsi leaves to make tea or eat a few leaves directly as part of your daily routine for good eye health.
Alternatively, you can soak tulsi leaves in 2 tbsp honey and use the liquid as an eyewash.
You can also soak a clean cotton pad or a washcloth in the liquid and use it as a warm compress.
3. Aloe Vera
In Arabian medicine, aloe vera is used as a traditional remedy for conjunctivitis. Aloe vera is a super plant with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Aloe vera extracts contain substances like ethanol and ethyl acetate. These alcohol extracts are capable of modulating cellular functions and properties. As a result, they are often used in eye drops to treat inflammation and other eye-related ailments.
How To Use
If you have an aloe vera plant in your backyard, you could just cut off a little piece and apply the juice or the gel around your eye and eyelids. The fresher the gel is, the more potent it can be against the symptoms of pink eye.
You could also use aloe extracts to make tea. This liquid can then be used either as an eye wash or to soak a clean cotton pad for a warm compress.
You can even protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by washing them with aloe juice.
5. Chamomile
If you have allergic conjunctivitis or hay fever, exercise caution while using chamomile tea.
Chamomile is one of the oldest, well-documented, and widely used medicinal plants in the world. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties have been used to treat various health problems for centuries. It is also used to treat eye infections and disorders such as conjunctivitis and blocked tear ducts.
One study noted that using chamomile tea as an eyewash worsened the condition in patients with allergic conjunctivitis or hay fever. However, drinking chamomile tea did not aggravate the infection.
How To Use
Press cool chamomile tea bags on closed eyes for about 10 minutes each, and repeat the process every couple of hours.
You can also use chamomile tea to wash your eyes. To do that, pour the tea into a commercially available eye-cup and hold it to your eyes.
Or soak cotton balls in cooled chamomile tea and wipe your eyes often to keep them free of any dirt and reduce irritation.
Keep An Eye Out For: People who are prone to allergies (especially allergic to the chrysanthemum family), are likely to react to chamomile when chamomile is used for topical treatment. It is best not to use chamomile to treat conjunctivitis in children.
6. Fennel
Fennel extracts have traditionally been used to treat conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions affecting the eyelid. The essential oils and extracts of fennel seeds have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and can help fight infection.
How To Use
Boil a cup of water and add 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds in it.
Cool the tea and use as a compress or as an eye wash 3–4 times a day.
7. Plantain
Plantain leaves have long been used in traditional medicine the world over to treat a variety of conditions, including infections. Extracts have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunity-boosting properties, among a host of other properties, that have made its use popular in folk medicine. The fresh leaves of the plantain have a soothing effect, which can come in handy during conjunctivitis.
How To Use
Boil a cup of water and steep a spoon of cut plantain leaves for 5–10 minutes.
Cool the tea and use as a compress 3–4 times a day.
It can also be used as an eyewash
8. Vegetable And Fruit Juices
Drinking raw vegetable juices made from carrot and spinach have been found to be effective against fighting conjunctivitis from within. A mix of Indian gooseberry juice and honey can be consumed too.
How To Use
Prepare a mixed juice with 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach. Drink a cup twice a day until your infection subsides.
Alternatively, add 2 teaspoons of honey to a cup of Indian gooseberry juice and drink twice a day.
9. Potato
Since potatoes have astringent properties, they can dry, disinfect, and reduce inflammation caused by conjunctivitis.
How To Use
Peel a potato and cut into thin slices. Place the slices on the affected eye. Repeat for 3 consecutive nights for best results.
You can also make a poultice by grating the potato and wrapping it in cheesecloth. Place the poultice on the affected eye for at least 20 minutes for best results.
10. Cucumber
Cucumber is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic substance that can reduce the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Although its effects haven’t been proved scientifically, there’s enough anecdotal evidence to believe that cucumber may benefit those with conjunctivitis.
How To Use
Cut 2 thin slices of cucumber and place them over your eyes.
Remove them after 15–20 minutes.
Alternatively, use 2 tbsp cucumber juice as an eyewash.
11. Neem Oil
Known to fight inflammation and soothe the skin, neem oil may reduce the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Plus, neem possesses anti-microbial properties that can treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
How To Use
Gently apply 1 tbsp neem oil around the infected eye.
Wash off after 15 minutes.
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Mitrobe Staff