The irritation of once eye/s, specifically in the conjunctiva — the membrane covering the inside of your eyelids and eyeball, is called “Pink Eye” (sore eyes) which is the lay man’s term for Conjunctivitis.

If you have experienced having your eyes red and inflamed, or sometimes have a white, yellow, and/or green sticky discharge, then, you happen to have what we call Pink Eye.

This is caused by numerous factors mainly: Viral, Bacterial, and/or Allergies. Pink Eye can happen in one or both your eyes depending on how you handle your Pink Eye infection or allergy. In most cases, If you have contracted this infection/allergy, your doctor can diagnose it by asking questions about your symptoms and recent health history.

An office visit is usually not prescribed. This is a common cause for students to hail absence due to it being contagious and can infect his/her fellow classmates. Treating your Pink Eye entirely depends on the type you have.

Here are different natural remedies for you to try on your Pink Eye.

1. COLLOIDAL SILVER

The use of topical silver solutions for eye infections is surprisingly not new even with its name. There was a time where silver nitrate drops were frequently used in newborn’s eyes to prevent certain types of bacterial infection. Some patients have reported that a diluted solution (5–10 ppm) of colloidal silver in the affected eyes three times a day is effective. Use one part sterilized saline water to one part silver in a clean glass eyedropper or eyecup. It is said that it quickly healed their conjunctivitis or sty, or reduced the severity of pharyngitis when gargled in water.

To make this remedy, use 1-2 drops of 5-10 ppm (that’s the concentration) colloidal silver in each eye three to four times per day. This was recommended by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

2. HONEY

This simple ingredient has already produced countless studies that show its beneficial properties. According to an analysis, honey may work better than antibiotic creams for burns. Some published reports described the effect of honey in clearing wounds with minimal scar formation. It also has antimicrobial action against fungi and bacteria. To prove that honey has been a natural medicinal treatment, Ancient Egyptians used this to treat eye diseases; Not only was it used in Egypt but also in India, used by traditional healers to prevent scarring of the cornea in measles.

To do this remedy you should dissolve 1/4 raw honey and a pinch of salt (optional) in 1/4 pure warm water. Don’t get the water too hot or it may alter some of the beneficial properties of the honey. Using a clean dropper, place 1-2 drops in each eye every few hours as required .

3. HERBAL TEA BAG

Tea bags are a very accessible and inexpensive house ingredient. As we all know, tea gives out a feeling of relaxation after drinking but it can also treat several eye conditions.

Using tea bags on the eyes is an accessible and cheap home remedy. It not only aids relaxation but can also help with several eye ailments.

* TEA BAG AS COLD COMPRESS

- Reduces dark circles under the eyes

- A cool tea bag compress may improve the looks of puffiness or mild swelling under the eyes.

- Alleviating the sensation of Pink Eye. A cold tea bag compress may help alleviate a number of the dryness and inflammation

- Red or bloodshot eyes occur when the blood vessels under the surface of the eye become irritated. Placing cold tea bag compresses over the eyes may help ease this irritation.

- If the eye has been hit by a ball, elbow, or other hard object, placing a cold tea bag compress on the area for 15 minutes may reduce pain and swelling.

* TEA BAG AS HOT COMPRESS

- Draining a stye — is a red, painful lump that grows under the eyelid or at the base of the eyelid, usually due to an infection. Applying heat with a warm tea bag compress to the stye for 10-15 minutes two to 3 times per day may help release the pus and heal the stye.

- Relieving dry eyes. This occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Putting warm tea bags on the eyes may release oil from the glands and improve the standard of tears.

To make a tea bag compress, soak a clean, lint-free cloth in water and wring it out before applying it gently to your closed eyelids. You can either use a cool water compress because it feels the most soothing, but you can also use a warm compress if that feels better to you. If only one eye has pink eyes, don't touch both eyes with the same cloth to reduce the risk of having both your eyes get irritated.

4. SALINE WASH (salt water wash)

Salt water, also called saline, is one of the most effective natural remedies for eye infections. Saline is similar to teardrops, which is your eye’s way of cleaning itself. Sterile saline solution is very accessible and inexpensive to buy or make at home.

To make this remedy, boil one cup of water with a teaspoon of salt so the salt dissolves completely and then let the liquid cool to room temperature. Use this mixture to rinse your eyes at least 5 times per day.

5. BORIC ACID

This is an ingredient found mostly in eye wash products. Boric acid eye washes can be used to clean and ease mild cases of irritated eyes. Some people may experience side effects from using a boric acid eye wash, including eye redness and irritation.

To make this as an eyewash or eye-drop:

Turn the bottle upside down and tilt your head backward, looking up at the ceiling; Gently pull the lower lid of your eye downward. Position the tip of the bottle above your eye, without touching the surface of your eye; Gently squeeze the bottle so that the eye wash drops onto your eye. Be sure to carefully follow the packaging instructions regarding how much eye wash to apply; Close your eyes, allowing the wash to make contact with your eye. Pat the skin around your eye with a clean tissue if necessary.

These are all natural remedies for pink eye and irritation but if you are weary of doing or trying these remedies, there are simple options that help prevent Pink Eye from happening to you. These include: Making sure to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; Avoid rubbing and touching their eyes; Avoid sharing face cloths and hand towels; Wash their pillow cases and anything else that comes into close contact with their eyes regularly.

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