Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva. It is generally seen to result in redness of the eyes. Conjunctivitis is an infectious disease, which is also referred to as ‘pink eye‘ or ‘stye‘. Conjunctiva is the thin membrane which is seen in the anterior portion of the eye. Direct contact with an infected person results in the transmission of infection.
Symptoms for Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis results in soreness of the eyes and is also known as ‘eye flu‘. Typical symptoms of pink eye include green or white discharge, inflammation of the eyes, reddish eyes, burning sensation, higher sensitivity to light, blurred vision, increase in tear secretion, pus formation, yellow discharge which forms a crust with the eyelids and itching sensation in the eyes. Pus on the eyelid is seen in chronic cases.
Causes for Conjunctivitis
Poor standard of living and improper hygiene are the primary causes of conjunctivitis. Other contributing factors for conjunctivitis include allergies, chemical splash in the eye, direct contact with an infected eye, dust, pollen grains or any other environmental factor, overcrowding, eyestrain, bacteria, virus, entry of a foreign substance in the eye, ophthalmic neonatorum and poor sanitation and hygiene.
Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is treated with simple ingredients from the kitchen cupboard. Some of them include the following:
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Potato: Peel some raw potatoes and cut them into long slices. Place them over the eyelids.
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Herbs: Make a decoction using a teaspoon of Oregon grape root, two teaspoons of chamomile flowers in a cup of boiling water. Strain the mixture and use the same for washing the eyes.
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Yoghurt: Place some fresh yogurt over the affected eye. It helps to provide relief from itching.
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Vegetable juice: Mix 300 ml of carrot juice with 200 ml of parsley juice. Drink this for immense benefits. Replace the parsley juice with spinach juice.
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Indian Gooseberry: The juice of Indian gooseberry is highly beneficial. Mix two teaspoons of honey with a cup of gooseberry juice. Drink this mixture twice a day for great relief from eye inflammation.
Conjunctivitis Treatment with Diet: Increase the intake of riboflavin and vitamin A in the diet. Foods such as green leaves, tomatoes, yoghurt, whole milk, pumpkin, carrot, papaya, butter and mangoes are a good source of vitamin A. Milk, banana, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes and almonds are certain foods which provide a high supply of vitamin B2.
Treatment for Conjunctivitis
Eye drops and antibiotics are helpful in the treatment of a bacterial infection, though they fail to respond to viral infection. Antihistamines, anti inflammatory drops and steroids are beneficial in case of allergic conjunctivitis.
Tips for Conjunctivitis
Cleanliness and good hygienic practices help in the prevention of conjunctivitis. Keep the pillow covers clean. Avoid sharing eye cosmetics. Do not touch your eyes frequently. Be careful with your contact lens.
