According to a review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, using antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of pink eye. Get insight on the causes, symptoms of pink eye, how it is spread and how to get rid of it fast. One or both eyes can be affected, and bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. ", "The way all is explained and clearly illustrated was most helpful. Bacterial pink eye often occurs along with an ear or strep infection. Bacterial conjunctivitis should be gone after a few days with use of this treatment. SUBSCRIBE so you’ll know when I have another video! Stay away from school or work for a few days. Read on to learn how breast cancer treatments have evolved to…. Conjunctivitis can occur due to viruses, bacteria, and allergies. and do you think it will clear by then? Twice it worked on my eyes. Boric Acid. Last medically reviewed on August 21, 2019. I applied a cold compress, tried cucumber slices, administered eye drops. A common treatment for cuts and scrapes, be sure to mix it with a large amount of water … This is because in those cases, bacteria isn’t the reason you have pink eye. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. Leave it on for a few minutes. Once the water has cooled down sufficiently, add ¼ tablespoon of raw honey to it. Possibly! If pink eye deepens in color to an intense red, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Black & Green Teas to Get Rid of Pink Eye Black and green teas contain bioflavonoids that fight viral and bacterial infections and reduce inflammation. Remove any contacts or makeup that could be making the pink eye worse. If you’re having bacterial pink eye symptoms, the fastest way to treat them is to see your doctor. Some viral pink eye can be treated with antiviral medications. If you suspect your pink eye may be measles-related, see an eye doctor right away. Learn about shared symptoms, challenges, therapy, and more. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. "Since yesterday, my ninety-four-year-old mother had been experiencing a red, itchy right eye, so itchy that she had, "I'm thankful for home treatment routines to try before relying on antibiotics. its looking better then yesterday. What Causes Pink Eye? While pink eye heals, people may want to use the following: cold or hot compresses to reduce swelling artificial tears to add more moisture and … Severe allergies are sometimes treated with eye drops containing steroids, as well. If you’re having a lot of mucus and pus, don’t go back to work or school until your eye is no longer draining to avoid infecting others. Try an antihistamine. They aren’t sterile or medical grade. Call the doctor if you experience moderate to severe pain in the eye or if you experience vision problems that do not clear up once the discharge is wiped away. Until doctors specifically approve them to treat pink eye, stay away from these. But you also have a life and need to feel better fast. Not everything that looks like pink eye is pink eye. Use a clean washcloth each time so you don't spread the infection. Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious and may be spread as long as you have symptoms. Note the ointment blurs vision for 20 minutes after being applied, but the patient's vision should clear up after that time passes. In case you are using normal water; boil the water to get rid of any germs that might be present in the water. ", "This helped me so much with my allergies, thank you. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If it doesn't clear up, you should have a healthcare provider take a look! is there any other ways to help it clear? We suggest boiling water for 5 minutes, then letting it cool until it’s a comfortable temperature to touch. In severe cases, topical corticosteroids may be needed. ", like never before! :)Thanks again! In doing so, they can help prevent eye tissue from getting inflamed. Change your pillowcase and sheets every day. It is not contagious. ive had conjunctivitis. In the case of viral conjunctivitis (also called pink eye), the condition can be contagious even before symptoms of conjunctivitis appear in an infected person. applying antibiotic eye drops or ointments, applying warm compresses to the eyes to reduce swelling, flushing the eyes with a saline solution to reduce excess mucus and pus buildup. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by other allergy symptoms, including a stuffy or runny nose, and both eyes will be affected. It usually causes a lot more mucus and irritation than other pink eye causes. This wikiHow will give you a few tips on how to speed the recovery process, depending on the form of pink eye you have. Eye … Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, has many causes, including bacterial, viral, allergic, and irritants. If you are prone to allergies, you may want to try an antihistamine. We help people off of the street and one of the girls had, "My conjunctivitis has been going and coming back many times-usually at night. Rinse Your Eye When you’re exposed to allergens, your body releases a chemical called histamine, causing redness, tears, and itching in the eye. Can You Have Bipolar Disorder and an Anxiety Disorder at the Same Time? You also have symptoms like a very high fever and a red, blotchy rash. Pink eye is highly contagious. Wash your hands after you come in contact with potentially contaminated items and after you touch your eyes. Place a warm, damp washcloth over your affected eye. By using our site, you agree to our. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Steps to Use Boric Acid to Treat Pink Eye: Take a cup of water and boil it. Pink eye or conjunctivitis is characterized by mild redness, irritated eyes, discharge, itching and swollen eyes. ", taking care of it three times a day helps a lot. Repeat this several times a day, or as often as is comfortable. significant amounts of pus or mucus coming out of your eye. ", "This is very helpful, good information to know. Pink eye can be a manifestation of measles. For bacterial conjunctivitis, treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointments is the approach taken. Typically people are referring to a bacterial or…, There are many home remedies suggested as cures for pink eye (conjunctivitis). Approved. Don’t let the tip of the eye dropper touch your eye. Most over-the-counter eye drops are mild saline lubricants designed to replace tears. They can soothe dryness associated with pink eye, and they can also wash the eye of contaminants that could complicate and prolong viral, bacterial, or allergic conjunctivitis. Most cases of bacterial and viral pink eye will get better without treatment in a few days to two weeks. Helped me know what to do and then to go to my doctor. This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Keep reading for a fast-acting pink eye treatment plan, plus ways to keep others from getting it. Also, wash your hands as much as possible, especially after you touch your eye. After receiving antibiotics, stay home for at least 24 hours. One of those is using an apple cider vinegar/water solution on your…. ", most probably the cause, thanks to this article. Allergic conjunctivitis is a type of pink eye that comes from an allergic reaction to something. Use a clean surface for each wipe or pass to avoid getting discharge back in the eye. This will reduce the chance of re-contamination. It is not contagious. It is prescribed as an eye drop, such as Prednisolone Acetate Suspension (metabolite of prednisone). Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Amazing! Note: Antibiotic eye drops aren’t going to help the other causes — viral, allergic, or irritant. Here are a few things you can do for pink eye treatment. I'll be avoiding folks and cleaning, "I am the one that did this. Some over-the-counter eye drops also contain antihistamines that are useful in treating allergic conjunctivitis. All types of pink eye cause the eyes to become red, watery, and itchy, but the other symptoms of pink eye will vary according to its cause. Because you’re trying to get rid of it fast, you don’t want to give it to someone else and then get it right back after your first round resolves. "The most common home-based treatment of cold or warm compresses, that really is very useful and has no side, "Thanks for helping me figure out what form of pink eye I have and the steps of proper treatment to get rid of it. The body reacts to allergens by producing chemicals called histamines, and these chemicals are the culprit behind pink eye and other allergy symptoms. Antiviral medications may also be an option if you have certain preexisting health conditions that have weakened your immune system. Allergic pink eye makes your eyes very itchy, red and watery, and the eyelids may get puffy. You should see an improvement within two to three days, if not sooner. Use a decongestant. Wash off the eyes after every hour with the cold water. Both warm and cold compresses reduce swelling in the event of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis. Fresh Cold Water Splash. You’re very sensitive to all light, including indoor light. ", "My eye doesn't hurt, it's just really irritating. While decongestants do not stop the allergen from affecting you, they do control inflammation. You can get rid of bacterial conjunctivitis using antibiotic eye drops for pink eye or ointment. See your doctor if you have the following symptoms: If you’ve tried at-home treatments for a week and your symptoms are getting worse instead of better, see an eye doctor. Conjunctivitis will usually clear up in a few short days. Here are some things to avoid: If you’ve read something you’re curious to try, check with your doctor’s office first. Wipe the eye starting at the inside corner, next to the nose. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment. A moist tea bag on the affected eye for several minutes, 3-4 times a day, will help ease the infection. This wipes the discharge away from your tear ducts and safely out of your eye. ", spread it by touching the door knobs in our house. I was happy it came out, because I was absent today. Also, wash your hands after applying eye medication. Thank you. "Thank you so much for this! I was unaware there were different types and therefore. i got it on tuesday. To help you treat your pink eye the fastest, it’s important to make your best guess as to what type you have. Second step: Soothe your eye (s) Place a warm, damp washcloth over your affected eye. It usually needs to run its course, which can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. Thanks. Among the ways on how to get rid of pink eye, there are home remedies for the pink eye that you can do to relieve yourself from the discomfort due to the pink eye. If these treatment methods don't improve your illness, you might need antibiotics. References wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This should help to loosen any stuck-on gunk from your eye so it ... Wash your hands and use a new damp washcloth on the other … Plus, sometimes you can have a really bad case that requires medical attention. I now realize that my pillowcases are, "Helpful to to see the doctor if it gets worse even though it might not seem serious. Applying a tea bag can quickly reduce the redness and other symptoms associated with pink eye. Take ¼ cup of distilled water or normal water. This article has been viewed 2,049,424 times. Read on for ways to identify the different types of pink eye and learn targeted treatment plans for each strain... We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and difficult to treat. You could save yourself from some potential eye damage and discomfort. Pink eye is a common eye infection, especially in children. You’ve got pink eye. There are four common causes of pink eye: Viral is the most common, followed by bacterial. This article has been viewed 2,049,424 times. First, your pink eye will probably go away on its own, even if it’s bacterial. Because the viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious, this disease will reoccur if this disease spreads to other… I will see doctor as a result of reading this, many thanks. Sometimes, this is due to an outside cause like infection or a blocked tear duct. Cold compresses are usually best for allergic conjunctivitis, but warm compresses might feel better. Gently pass over the entire eye toward the outside corner of the eye. This treatment to cure pink eye fast allows you to get back to work or school quicker. Best strategies for seeing off conjunctivitis Use paper towels and baby wipes in place of hand towels and face washers. Also referred to as conjunctivitis, pink eye is a condition where by your conjunctiva (the thin lining tissue inside of your eyelid and the white part of your eyeball) is inflamed. If your other eye gets infected, that will extend the length of the illness. Apply lubricating eye drops, usually labeled “artificial tears,” to each eye. Contact the doctor immediately if you suspect that you have a severe form of viral conjunctivitis, such as one caused by the herpes simplex virus, or if you are immunocompromised due to HIV infection or cancer treatment. Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye. You haven’t been vaccinated, and there’s an outbreak in the area. This type of infection can be serious and lead to permanent eye damage if left untreated. If over-the-counter allergy medication hasn't improved your pink eye, try flushing your eye out with eye drops. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. If you have antibacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointment to you that covers a wide range of bacteria. Do not share any products that touch your eye. Lay the damp cloth over your eyes and leave it in place until it cools. To do this, practice some eye hygiene tips: Don’t share anything that touches your eyes (like mascara or eyedrops) with others. Wash your hands and use a new damp washcloth on the other eye if both of your eyes are affected. This morning I made an appointment with the doctor and Googled pink eye. Most people recommend a cool compress for allergic conjunctivitis Many people recommend using honey to treat conjunctivitis (along with many other ailments). :)", anyway, because it could worsen if not treated. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Get-Rid-of-Pink-Eye-Fast-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Pink-Eye-Fast-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Get-Rid-of-Pink-Eye-Fast-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2584951-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Pink-Eye-Fast-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"