How to cure pink eye fast
Who hasn’t woken up with the eyes glued together?
Who has never had that unpleasant feeling of having sand in the eyes, scratching frantically wet eyes with irritation, veering suddenly red?
Conjunctivitis is more painful than you might think.
It blurs the sight, it dries up the eyes, it burns, it stings, it attacks.
Fortunately, there are treatments and tips to rehydrate, rebalance and stop the progression quickly.
All you need to know about irritative conjunctivitis?
Here we go!
Contents
- 1 How to cure pink eye fast
- 2 What is conjunctivitis?
- 3 Causes of eye conjunctivitis
- 4 How to get rid of viral conjunctivitis
- 5 Bacterial pink eye
- 6 Allergy eyes vs pink eye
- 7 Nonallergic conjunctivitis
- 8 Eye inflammation
- 9 Red eyes symptoms
- 10 Diagnosis of conjunctivitis
- 11 Conjunctivitis treatment
- 12 Conjunctivitis differential diagnosis
- 13 Herpes in eyes
- 14 Does conjunctivitis cause fever
- 15 Conjunctivitis complications
- 16 Conjunctivitis natural treatment
- 17 How to relieve eye strain
- 18 Getting rid of pink eye
What is conjunctivitis?
This is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (the conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and protects the front of the eye from foreign bodies and microorganisms.
The white of the eye shows many small, dilated blood vessels and turns red or pink.
Causes of eye conjunctivitis
There are different causes of conjunctivitis.
4 defined categories determine the cause of inflammation
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Nonallergic conjunctivitis
As the name suggests, viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus.
It can be an adenovirus type 3, coxsackievirus, a herpes simplex virus, shingles, Molluscum virus.
This conjunctivitis is often associated with a cold or upper respiratory infection and is accompanied by a sore throat.
It is highly contagious and is spread by direct or indirect contact with eye fluid.
Bacterial pink eye
Most commonly, bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by staphylococcus, streptococcus, bacteria such as Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
It results in an accumulation of blood, irritation mimicking the presence of a foreign body in the eye, intense tearing, and purulent discharge that can go as far as sticking the eyelids when sleeping.
Allergy eyes vs pink eye
It is the typical reaction to an allergy caused either by cosmetic products or by seasonal allergies.
The histamine is then released and causes the eye to redden.
Mast cells which are the immune cells involved in allergy trigger an immediate hypersensitivity reaction.
It results in inflammation of both eyes, swollen eyelids, itching, and tearing.
Nonallergic conjunctivitis
This is a mechanical reaction after scratching the eye a little too vigorously or a reaction to the projection of a chemical.
Eye inflammation
Regarding bacterial conjunctivitis, be aware that the risk of contagion is high.
All you have to do is be in contact with an infected person to risk being infected too.
Likewise, excessive rubbing of the eyes can trigger it through the transmission of germs in the hands.
Finally, wearing lenses also increases the risk of bacterial infection, all the more when cleaning conditions are not respected or when wearing is too long.
For its part, allergic conjunctivitis remains linked to the presence of allergens.
It manifests itself more readily in certain seasons such as spring and summer but it is also sensitive to dust, make-up, and certain chemicals.
Red eyes symptoms
Regardless of the type, this condition results in marked redness in one or both eyes with the tearing production of whitish filaments and a purulent deposit.
When viral, the white of the eye is injected, small dilated vessels appear, edema forms, intense tearing occurs and the person feels a sensation of “sand” in the eyes.
Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs suddenly with a purulent deposit, the eyelids swell and stick together.
It also has the particularity of starting with only one eye before spreading to both.
The major sign of allergic conjunctivitis is itching and tearing, eye discharge, and nasal congestion.
Diagnosis of conjunctivitis
Of course, the ophthalmologist does a thorough examination of the eye.
Looking for a mass and assessing tenderness, he examines the inside of the eyelids and notes any discharge found.
He then checks visual acuity and prescribes the appropriate treatment.
Conjunctivitis treatment
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Viral conjunctivitis treatment
To provide rapid relief and to limit the spread of the virus, the ophthalmologist prescribes artificial tears to be applied every 4 to 6 hours and antihistamine eye drops.
It also recommends the regular application of cold compresses.
As its origin is viral, there is no need to instill antibiotic eye drops.
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Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment
When the attack is bacterial, the treatment is more complex.
The ophthalmologist thus prescribed antibiotic eye ointments and added an oral antibiotic such as azithromycin for 5 days.
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Allergic conjunctivitis treatment
Even if the ophthalmologist can prescribe anti-allergic eye drops, the major treatment for this conjunctivitis is the oral intake of an antihistamine.
Conjunctivitis differential diagnosis
When managing conjunctivitis, the ophthalmologist may also investigate a hidden cause that may trigger the condition.
It then looks for:
– acute angle-closure glaucoma, increased pressure of fluids inside the eye
– anterior uveitis, inflammation of the iris
– tear duct obstruction
– blepharitis, inflammation of the edge of the eyelids
– corneal abrasion
– keratitis, inflammation of the cornea
– uveitis, inflammation of the iris
– iritis, inflammation of the iris
– scleritis, inflammation of the sclera, the white layer covering the eye
Herpes in eyes
The inflammation generated by the herpes simplex virus has its paragraph because it is certainly the most complex.
It is specific in that it usually only affects one eye, and causes moderate redness but a lot of purulent secretions that get to stick the eyelids when sleeping.
Often mistaken for banal viral conjunctivitis, its diagnosis is difficult and it is rarely treated for what it is.
It is nonetheless cured with traditional eye drops although its dedicated treatment is specific antivirals such as aciclovir ointments.
It is only diagnosed when the patient has recurrent conjunctivitis.
The treatment then proposed is the taking of oral antiviral treatment (Zovirax) over several months to avoid recurrence that can lead to serious complications.
Does conjunctivitis cause fever
As we have seen, only viral conjunctivitis is associated with an infection of the upper airways which can therefore generate fever.
In this case, it is not the eye damage that generates this rise in body temperature but the ongoing viral attack.
Conjunctivitis complications
Left untreated, conjunctivitis can become more complicated and affect the cornea.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can degenerate into a corneal abscess, the infection penetrating the layers of the cornea while at the start of the affection this is healthy.
Likewise, when bacterial chlamydial conjunctivitis goes untreated and occurs repeatedly, it eventually leads to trachoma, an infection of the cornea which, if left untreated, leads to blindness.
Without treatment, all types of conjunctivitis can develop into keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea.
We then speak of keratoconjunctivitis to refer to the fact that keratitis occurred following conjunctivitis.
So take care of your eyes and see your physician promptly.
Conjunctivitis natural treatment
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Rinse eye with salt water
Physiological saline is ideal for complete eye washing.
It is all the more important when the infection has spread and affects visual comfort.
Apply a few drops of sterile saline solution (#ad) between two prescribed eye drops helps your eyes regain health faster while providing relief.
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Cornflower water
Cornflower water has very interesting decongestant properties to soothe reddened, irritated and swollen eyes.
It also has a very strong anti-inflammatory action, which makes it the ideal remedy for inflammation of the eyes.
Harmless to the eye, regularly apply compresses with cornflower floral water (#ad) on the eyelids to benefit from all its virtues.
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Hydrating gel
Carbomers are very effective in combating dry eyes.
They are more treating than simple artificial tears because their duration of action is longer due to their texture.
Apply a few drops of a carbomer gel (#ad) regularly to rehydrate a watery eye is very indicated in cases of conjunctivitis.
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Colloidal silver for pink eye
Colloidal silver is unknown and yet its virtues are endless.
Both antibacterial, antibiotic and antifungal, it can also be deposited in the eye for its silver ions to relieve conjunctivitis.
A few drops of a 10ppm colloidal silver solution (#ad) work wonders for the eyes, expert word!
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Honey drops in eyes
The virtues of honey are also effective against conjunctivitis even if that seems surreal to you.
Boil a cup of mineral water, let cool, then add a teaspoon of honey.
Fill a dropper bottle with the liquid and instill one to two drops in each eye several times a day.
Can’t believe it?
You forget that honey is antibacterial and antiseptic.
You can also apply pure honey to the eyelid to relieve inflammation.
How to relieve eye strain
If your daily activities strain your eyes a lot and generate visual fatigue, redness, and headaches, I highly recommend this eye massager (#ad) that I use daily (yes, I know, I spend too many hours in front of my PC!).
A little massage before bedtime brings you total relaxation strengthens blood circulation, reduces swelling, and allows you to better resist fatigue and above all less scratching your eyes at the risk of triggering conjunctivitis.
Getting rid of pink eye
Whatever its origin, viral, bacterial, or allergic, conjunctivitis is very debilitating.
Its irritation is intense and the vision is cloudy.
Eye drops are often the ultimate solution but you can also increase hydration to counter tearing, soothe with cold compresses with cornflower water, and treat with a few drops of colloidal silver.
The key is to treat it quickly so that the dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes do not set in and become chronic conjunctivitis.
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