Conjunctivitis: symptom, causes, treatment & Home Remedies

Introduction

Conjunctivitis is common infection This is a type of infection that causes swelling of the eyes. This infection occurs on the outer layer of the eye (Conjunctivitis) and the inner surface of the eyelid. Due to this, the eyes become red, swollen, sticky (muddy) and there is a feeling of pricking hair in them. During this problem, there is a lot of pain in the eyes.

What is conjunctivitis?

Pink eyes (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the clear membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white portion of the eyeball (conjunctiva). This is more noticeable when the small blood vessels of the conjunctiva become inflamed. This is what makes the whites of the eyes appear red or pink.

Pink eyes are usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or, in infants, an incompletely open fistula.

Pink eyes can be annoying but have little effect on your vision. Treatment can help relieve discomfort caused by pink eyes. Because pink eyes can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit the spread.

Conjunctivitis pink eye

Symptom

The most common pink eye symptoms include:

  • Redness in one or both eyes
  • Itching in one or both eyes
  • Feeling rough in one or both eyes
  • Discharge from one or both eyes that may crust over at night and prevent you or your eyes from opening in the morning
  • Tearing

Causes of conjunctivitis

Causes of pink eyes include:

  • Virus
  • Bacteria
  • Allergy
  • Chemical splash in the eye
  • Foreign body in the eye
  • Clogged fistula in newborns
  • Dry Eye Syndrome

Types of conjunctivitis

There are three types of infection, including:

Bacterial conjunctivitis

This infection is causes by staphylococcal bacteria in the skin or respiratory tract. It is cause by physical contact with insects, poor hygiene, and more. It usually starts in one eye and sometimes spreads to the other. Under these conditions, yellow or green discharge from the eye appears.

Viral Conjunctivitis

It is usually caused by an infectious virus associated with colds. This is generally happening through coughing or sneezing suffering person contact with an upper respiratory tract infection. There may be symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection, along with other symptoms of conjunctivitis. It usually starts in one eye and can spread to the other eye in a few days and there is a thin discharge from the eye.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

It happens to people who have allergies according to the season. When they come in contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction in their eyes, they develop allergic conjunctivitis. It usually occurs in both eyes, with symptoms such as itching, tears, and swelling in the eyes. Often it is accompanied by other allergy symptoms such as an itchy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.

Prevention

Conjunctivitis is a disease caused by an infection that can easily spread from person to person. In such a situation, people with a weak immune system are more prone to infection, and not taking a proper diet is the reason for having a weak immune system. Apart from this, it can also happen due to poor lifestyles such as not taking care of cleanliness, rubbing eyes with dirty hands, using other person’s towel, handkerchief or other things, etc. Therefore, conjunctivitis can also occur due to improper diet and lifestyle.

What changes should be made in diet and lifestyle-

In the case of conjunctivitis, a diet that increases immunity and prevents infection should be consumed. Always try to eat fruits and vegetables is naturally rich in antioxidants.

  • Include foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin C in your diet. For vitamin A and vitamins, eat foods made from Milk
  • Tomatoes
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • mangoes
  • Papayas
  • Almonds
  • Bananas

For vitamin C, eat citrus fruits like amla, orange, etc.

Beta carotene also helps in strengthening our immune system. For this, eat orange-colored fruits or vegetables like:

  • Pumpkin
  • Orange
  • Carrot
  • Papaya
  • Mango

Some Other Prevention tips to follow:

  • Do not use things like towels and handkerchiefs for anyone.
  • If you have a complaint of allergies in the changing season, then take precautions for this in advance.
  • Try to do not to touch your eyes without washing your hands.
  • If you swim, wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes from bacteria and other micro-organisms in the water while swimming.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after coming from public places.
  • Clean the faucet handle and other touching objects with antiseptic cleaner.

9 Best Natural Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis

Generally, home remedies are adopted first when it comes to eyes, so let’s know which are those effective home methods-

Salt

Boil half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of clean water. After cooling, put it in the eyes with the help of a dropper.

Honey

Honey has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Take a quarter teaspoon of honey, a quarter cup of clean water, and a pinch of salt. Mix honey and salt well in clean water. Put one to two drops of this water in the eyes with the help of a dropper.

Mix honey in lukewarm milk and put 2-3 drops in the eyes with the help of a dropper.

Aloe Vera

Remove the gel from fresh aloe vera, mix it well in clean water and apply it on the eyes with the help of a dropper. Use it 3-4 times a day.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is beneficial for many eye problems due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also keeps the eyes clean. Mix one teaspoon of boric acid in a cup of water and wash your eyes with it or clean the eyes with the help of cotton. Use this method two or three times a day for 3-4 days.

Hot Compress

Mix two spoons of dried marigold flowers in a cup of hot water and mix it well after cooling. Use this water to wash the eyes or use it as a hot compress by dipping a clean cloth only when it is hot.

Always Use a hot compress. Use rose, lavender, and chamomile oil for irrigation. Put any one of these hot oils in the cloth and then leave it on the eyes till it cools down. Do this process at least 2-3 times a day regularly when you get rid.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in cough-clear water. Keep the eyes clean with this water with the help of cotton.

Tea Bag

Keep the bag of cold black tea on the eyes for ten minutes. Use this process two to three times a day at an interval of a few hours. You can also use green tea and chamomile tea bags instead.

Coriander

Take fresh coriander and boil it in water. Now filter this water and cool it and wash the eyes with this water. It cures redness, pain, and swelling of the eyes.

Alum

Immerse a lump of alum in water and drip the water on the lump in the eyes drop by drop, it is beneficial in eye diseases soon.

When to See a Doctor?

Any problem related to the eyes should not be neglected because it is the most sensitive part of our body. The severe stage of conjunctivitis can cause spotting of the eyes and is a contagious disease, the infection can spread to other areas of the body, leading to more severe and multiple infections such as meningitis. Apart from this, due to conjunctivitis, there is a lot of itching, redness, pain in the eyes of the person, due to which there is the inability to see and there is a lot of discomforts. Therefore, if any of the above symptoms occur in the eyes, a doctor should be consulted immediately.