Eye infections, among which conjunctivitis or pink eye is the most common, can, affect people of any age and gender. Viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi can attack the human body and cause the eye infections. These infections cause the eyes to turn pink or red in color, a crust may form on the eyelid, followed by a discharge, and cause a lot of discomfort, sometimes with severe itching as well. If you have an eye infection, you know how irritating it can be.
It may even spread from an eye to the other or to others around you. People even try to avoid being near you. It is best to take rest when you have an eye infection, and treat it with these natural remedies, which will provide a lot of relief from the painful symptoms and help cure it completely within no time.
Natural Cure For Eye Infection
Warm Compress
A warm compress can help treat eye infections caused by bacteria or virus. Dip a clean washcloth in hot water, wringing out the excess water; apply it over the affected eye. Keeping your eyelids closed, let this warm compress stay for five minutes. Repeat compresses thrice a day. Early morning compress will be beneficial in cleaning the discharge that settles on your eyelids and surrounding area. It will also help to loosen the drainage in the eye.
Cool Compress
Certain eye infections are better treated with cool compresses, See what works best for you. A cool compress seems to provide more relief than a hot compress in many people. It is especially beneficial in eye infections caused by an allergic reaction. Dip a washcloth in cool water, wring it dry and apply over the affected eye. It provides lot of relief from itching and helps to remove any debris that might have entered your eye. Repeat this application for two minutes thrice a day.
Salt Water Compress
This is one of the easiest and effective natural remedies for treating eye infections, especially conjunctivitis. Add some salt to a cup of boiling water. Dip a cotton ball in this salt solution and apply over the infected eye. It provides relief from pain and kills the infection causing microbes in the area.
Honey And Rose Water
Honey is nature’s own elixir that has rich antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. You can use it to cure your eye infection at home. Just add a drop of pure organic honey to a teaspoon of rose water and use it as a natural eye drop that will help kill the infection. Rose water is very cooling and soothing for the irritated eye.
Herbal Eyewash With Eyebright
Eyebright is an herb which is very beneficial in the treatment of eye infections. Brew a weak tea of the herb eyebright and add it to a glass of water. Use this diluted and cooled solution as eyewash. Alternately, you can also add a drop of eyebright tincture to some warm water in a cup and use it to wash your eyes. Get an eyecup for best results. Use this eyewash several times a day to reduce the pain and swelling in your eyes due to the eye infection.
Tea Bags
Eye infections like stye can be treated at home using tea bags. Soak a tea bag in some warm water for a few minutes. Remove and place the teabag over the affected eye. Tea contains tannic acid which helps to reduce the size of the stye effectively. Do this twice or thrice a day, and continue the treatment even after the stye has dried.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial in treating bacterial infections of the eyes as it possesses antibacterial properties. Add a tablespoon of pure apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water. Wash your eyes with this solution twice a day. While buying the apple cider vinegar, ensure that it contains the ‘mother’ as it is rich in malic acid which helps fight against harmful bacteria.
Coriander
Coriander Prepare a decoction of freshly dried coriander leaves in boiling water. Strain the liquid and allow it to cool. Wash your infected eye with this solution. You can also use it as a compress. This natural remedy is beneficial in relieving the burning sensation, helping decrease pain and swelling.
Jasmine Flowers
If you have an eye infection like pink eye, fill a bowl with water and put around eight jasmine flowers in it. Cover this bowl and let it stand whole night. In the morning, take a jasmine flower and put the drops of water dripping from it into your eye. Repeat with other flowers and do this at least thrice a day. This will help reduce the inflammation and pinkness of the eye.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can be used on the eyes to treat eye infection. This is an effective natural remedy which is easy to use. You can try aloe vera as eyewash as well as a compress. As eyewash, just dilute some aloe vera juice with water and wash your eyes with this eyewash thrice a day. To use as a compress, add half a teaspoon of aloe vera juice to a cup of boiled and cooled water. Soak a cloth or cotton ball in this compress and place over your eyes. It is very soothing and helps reduce pain and inflammation.
Fennel Seeds
You can use fennel seeds to treat your eye infection effectively. Add some fennel seeds to a bowl of boiling water. Let it stand for around ten minutes. Strain and use the liquid to wash your infected eye. Do this twice every day as it will help decrease the redness, pain and inflammation in your eyes.
Maintain Proper Hygiene
Eye infections can spread from an eye to another, as well as to others around you. Do not share bedding, towel and clothes with others if you have an eye infection. Avoid using eye makeup and contact lenses till your eye infection heals completely. Too much sun exposure can worsen the condition, so do not step out into harsh sun. Wash your hands often and do not touch your eyes at all.
