Pink Eye Remedies

Is Pink Eye Contagious? Yes, Highly Contagious.

Pink eye is one, of many, common eye infections. Pink eye remedies are effective if the infection is bacterial. To treat pink eye caused by a viral infection is a challenge. Is pink eye contagious? Yes, very much so.

What is Pink Eye?

Pink eye is formally known as conjunctivitis.

It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin membrane that covers the white of your eyes (that’s why, when infected, the white turns pink).

It is the conjunctiva that produces the mucus that lubricates the eye’s surface.

When that membrane becomes inflamed or irritated by infection, the blood vessels expand and make the whites of the eye appear pink (or sometimes even red).

In addition to looking pink and inflamed, your eyes will also feel swollen, scratchy, and dry (even though they look moist).

Symptoms of Pink Eye and How to Treat Pink Eye

The cause of pink eye is typically either bacterial or viral (although sometimes allergic reactions look like a pink eye infection and other eye issues can cause blood vessels to enlarge too).

Pink eye that is caused by a bacterial infection will be accompanied by pus; these infections can be treated with antibiotics. However, most pink eye infections are viral and cannot be treated by antibiotics. Pink eye is sometimes a result of a secondary infection; you may first get a cold or sore throat or the flu, and then your eyes become infected. In these secondary infections, pink eye appears to be related to a weakened immune system (caused by stress or other primary illnesses).

Is pink eye contagious? Yes, it is highly contagious. Often it can spread through a family rapidly (from child to parent or vice versa). For example, the infected person can pass conjunctivitis on through drying their face with a towel after washing (and the next person to dry themselves will be exposed). Avoid sharing towels, food, napkins, etc. amongst one another; and ensure that you wash your hands frequently and try to keep your hands away from your face.

Pink eye can be uncomfortable; you will find your eye(s) feel like they are swollen and scratchy; often gooey with a discharge of pus.

Make sure to visit your doctor for a diagnosis; while you may think it’s pink eye, your eye problems may be a result of some other issue.

Pink Eye Remedies

The most common eye infections treatment and pink eye remedies are: you need to rinse your eyes with warm water and wait for the viral infection to clear up (often 7 to 14 days). But most people don’t want to wait that long. Here are some pink eye remedies that have been tried by others:

• Rinse the eye with soft contact lens solution two or three times a day. Use a disposable paper cup and make sure you blink your eye a number of times to try and spread the solution.

• Apply thinly sliced English cucumbers to your closed eyes. Rest with your head back for about 10 to 15 minutes. It appears to reduce the swelling and irritation.

• Apply (black tea) tea bags to your infected eye. Pour hot water over the tea bag and let the bag cool to room temperature. Lay back and apply the damp tea bag to your eye for about 20 minutes (keep a towel under your head to handle excess moisture - then be sure to put that towel in the wash to prevent the spread of infection). Note: Chamomile tea is also reported to be very beneficial.

• Aloe Vera is helpful for eye infection treatment. Use the gel from the Aloe Vera plant to ‘wash’ the closed eye (do not do this with an open eye). Also, there are Aloe Vera creams that can be purchased online, at health food stores, or from your naturopath - kept in your medicine cabinet - and used to treat common eye infections.

Pink eye remedies are easy, accessible and can provide fairly quick relief for swelling and irritation. It will still take time for the infection to clear; your eyes may feel somewhat better but still need time to heal. Remember to take good precautions to prevent the spread to your family, friends or co-workers.

Don't forget to check out a great product from Native Remedies called Conjunct-a-Clear Homeopathic Wash that cleanses sticky, irritated and bloodshot eyes.

Additional Reading:

• Ear & Eye Health
• Common Eye Infections
• Dry Eye Irritation
• Home Remedies for Ear Infections
• Inner Ear Infection Symptoms
• Stye Treatment