Treat Eye Infection Naturally

Your eyes can become infected by a variety of different viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Each contaminant causes different afflictions, but eye infections typically show signs of irritation or pain, redness or inflammation, fluid discharge, and reduced visual capabilities. Contaminants may infect one or both eyes, and may lead to loss of vision or blindness.[1] The most common eye infections are conjunctivitis, sty, and allergy-related infections. If you experience pain or reduced vision, see a doctor immediately. If your infection is mild, there are a number of home remedies that can reduce the symptoms of your eye infection.

Steps

Treating Conjunctivitis

  1. Understand what conjunctivitis is. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is highly infectious. The two main types of conjunctivitis are bacterial and viral, and both are typically spread by hand-to-eye contact or sharing contact items like pillows or eye makeup. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis, but unfortunately, antibiotics will be useless in treating viral conjunctivitis. The virus simply has to run its course, which usually takes between two and three weeks.[2] The best way to naturally treat pink eye is to treat the symptoms. This will lesson your discomfort and help you regain some control over how you feel.
    • Viral conjunctivitis is typically caused by adenoviruses, picornaviruses, rubella, rubeola, and herpes viruses.[3]
    • Bacterial conjunctivitis is typically caused by staphylococcus, haemophilus, streptococcus, and moraxella. It is often spread by contact with fecal bacteria.[3]
  2. Identify symptoms of conjunctivitis. The most common side effects of conjunctivitis are redness (hence the name "pink eye"), itchiness, discharge that forms a crust over the eyelids while sleeping, and a persistent feeling of grittiness or irritation.[4]
  3. Apply a compress. Try cold and warm water compresses (but not too hot) to determine what works best for you.
    • Run a clean washcloth or hand towel under the faucet. Start with cool water, as this is generally considered the most soothing option.[5]
    • Wring out the towel.
    • Apply to the eye or eyes, depending on the extent of your conjunctivitis.
    • Lie down and let the cold compress sit on your eye(s) for as long as necessary until the pain and irritation subside, rewetting as needed.
  4. Use lubricating eyedrops. Though over-the-counter eyedrops won't treat the infection, they may help reduce redness and irritation. Follow the instructions for how often to apply lubricating eyedrops.
    • Wash your hands before and after touching the area around your eyes.[6]
    • Lie on your back before applying eyedrops.
    • Squeeze one drop at a time into the affected eye or eyes.
    • Close eyes immediately after application, and keep them closed for approximately two to three minutes.[6]
  5. Avoid wearing contact lenses. Contacts can trap conjunctivitis against the eyes and prolong the symptoms of this infection. Throw away any disposable contacts that have come in contact with infected eyes.[7]
  6. Practice good hygiene. Anyone can get pink eye at any stage in life. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. The most important thing is preventing its spread, and preventing it from happening again.[8]
    • Wash your hands with soap and warm water often. This is especially important to do prior to touching your face or eyes.
    • Do not share makeup products, washcloths, or face towels.
    • Throw away any cosmetic items and disposable contact lenses that may have been infected.
    • Wash any bedding that may have come in contact with your face during a conjunctivitis outbreak.
  7. Ask your doctor about a course of antibiotics. If the infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe a round of antibiotics to help treat your conjunctivitis outbreak.

Treating Sty

  1. Understand what sty is. Sty is typically seen as a red swollen spot on or near the eyelid, often filled with pus. Sty occurs when the oil glands present in the eyelid become infected, most often by staphylococcus. There are two types of sty: hordeolum, which infects the either the sweat glands or sebaceous glands in the eyelid, and chalazion, which specifically infects the meibomian sebaceous gland in the eyelid.[9] The infection will typically clear up on its own, but can be quite painful in the meantime.[10]
  2. Identify the symptoms of sty. The most common symptoms typically include:
    • A small, red swelling on or near the eyelid that may resemble a pimple.
    • Pain and irritation on or around the eyelid.
    • Excessive tear production.[10]
  3. Understand who is at risk. Anyone can develop an eye infection like sty, but there are certain activities that increase the likelihood of an infection.[11]
    • Anyone who touches his eyes and face without washing his hands first may become infected with sty.
    • Anyone wearing contacts that have not been disinfected prior to use may be at risk of developing sty.
    • Anyone who wears eye makeup on overnight without washing or wiping it off before bed may be at risk of developing sty.
    • Some patients with preexisting conditions like rosacea, a skin condition, or blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid may have a higher risk of developing sty.[11]
  4. Let sty heal. Do not try to pop the sty. This may cause the infection to worsen, and could allow it to spread.[12]
  5. Treat the symptoms. The best way to treat sty is to address the symptoms while you wait for the infection to heal.
    • Wash the infection gently. Do not scrub or excessively rub the sty.
    • Use a warm washcloth compress. Re-wet as needed for five to ten minutes.
    • Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the infection has cleared up.[12]
  6. Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Increasing your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids may relieve some of the symptoms of a sty infection by increasing sebaceous gland production.[13]

Treating Blepharitis

  1. Understand what blepharitis is. Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of one or both eyelids. It is not contagious and is often caused by bacterial infection (staphylococcal) or by long-term skin conditions like dandruff or rosacea. It can also be caused by excessive oil production in the eyelid, which leads to bacterial infection. The two main types of blepharitis are anterior, which affects the outer edge of the eyelid, and posterior, which affects the inner edge.[14]
  2. Identify the symptoms of blepharitis. The most common symptoms of blepharitis include:
    • redness
    • irritation
    • watery eyes
    • sticky eyelids
    • sensitivity to light
    • persistent itching
    • the presence of flaky "scales".[15]
  3. Understand who is at risk. Anyone of any age can contract blepharitis, though people with pre-existing skin conditions like dandruff or rosacea are often at a higher risk.[14]
  4. Treat the symptoms. There is no medication used to treat blepharitis, so the best course of action is to treat the symptoms to reduce pain and irritation.
    • Use a warm washcloth compress. Re-wet as needed for five to ten minutes, several times each day.[14]
    • Gently wash your eyelids with a non-irritating baby shampoo to remove crusts and flakes. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off the eyes and face after washing.[14]
    • Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup during an outbreak.
    • Massage eyelid glands as needed to release excess oil. Always wash hands before and after touching the eyes.[14]
  5. Consider antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, or tetracycline to treat your blepharitis infection.[16]

Treating Keratitis

  1. Understand what keratitis is. Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea in any part of the cornea and conjunctiva, in one or both eyes and may be caused by infection. Symptoms may be short lived, or they may be chronic. Symptoms typically include pain and redness, irritation, discharge or excessive tears, difficulty opening eyes, blurred or decreased visual abilities, and sensitivity to light. See a doctor immediately if you suspect you may have keratitis. Delays in the treatment of keratitis may lead to permanent blindness.[17] There are several types of keratitis, each differentiated by its cause.[18]
    • Bacterial keratitis is typically caused by infection with Staphylococci, Haemophilus, Streptococci, or Pseudomonas bacteria. Bacterial infection frequently follows some type of surface damage to the cornea, and may cause ulcers to form at the site of infection.[18]
    • Viral keratitis can be caused by a number of viruses, including the common cold. It may also be caused by introduction of the herpes simplex virus, or by the herpes zoster virus, which causes the chickenpox and shingles.[18]
    • Fungal keratitis is frequently caused by Fusarium spores, which tend to grow in unclean contact lenses. People with compromised immune systems may contract keratitis from Candida, Aspergillus, or Nocardia fungal spores, though these are quite rare in otherwise healthy individuals.[18]
    • Chemical keratitis is caused by chemical exposure, either from over wear of contact lenses, splashing of chemicals or fumes, or submersion in irritating chemicals, such as swimming pools and hot tubs.[18]
    • Physical keratitis is caused by trauma to the eyes through a number of sources, including prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and to the light from welding torches.[18]
    • Onchocercal keratitis is caused by a parasitic amoeba that may afflict patients who wear contact lenses. This form of keratitis causes what's known as "river blindness". It is extensively seen in third world countries, but is quite rare in other parts of the world.[18]
    • Keratitis sicca and Filamentary keratitis are superficial inflammations caused by extremely dry eyes and irritation in the tear film.[18]
  2. Identify the symptoms of keratitis. Symptoms typically include:
    • pain
    • redness
    • irritation
    • discharge or excessive tears
    • difficulty opening eyes
    • blurred or decreased visual abilities
    • sensitivity to light.[17]
  3. Understand who is at risk of keratitis. Anyone can become afflicted with keratitis, but certain factors make some people more predisposed toward developing types of keratitis.
    • Anyone with damage to the surface of the cornea may be at a higher risk.[19]
    • Wearing contact lenses may increase the risk of keratitis.[19]
    • Chronic or severe dry eyes may lead to a higher risk.[19]
    • Compromised immune systems caused by AIDS or by certain types of medication like corticosteroids or chemotherapy may lead to a higher risk.[19]
  4. Treat keratitis. See your doctor immediately to receive antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral medication to treat keratitis. Your doctor may also prescribe a course of steroids to treat the inflammation associated with keratitis.[20] Once you've been to the doctor, there are a number of ways you can treat the symptoms at home, in conjunction with the medication your doctor prescribes to you.[21]
    • Use lubricating eyedrops. Though over-the-counter eyedrops won't treat the infection, they may help reduce redness and irritation. Follow the instructions for how often to apply lubricating eyedrops, and let your doctor know about this and any over-the-counter medications you plan to use on your eyes.
    • Stop wearing contact lenses while experiencing keratitis. Discard disposable contact lenses that may have been worn while keratitis was active.

Treating Allergic Eye Irritation

  1. Understand allergic eye irritation. Allergies can cause a non-contagious form of conjunctivitis. This type of eye infection can be caused by pet allergies, or by environmental allergens like pollen, grass, dust, and mold.
  2. Identify the symptoms. Symptoms typically include:
    • itchy, irritated eyes
    • redness and swelling
    • excessive tearing.[22]
  3. Understand who is at risk. Anyone can develop allergic conjunctivitis. The biggest risk factor is having a known seasonal/environmental allergy.
  4. Try over-the-counter medication. Taking an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine may help reduce the symptoms of an allergic eye irritation. Your doctor or pharmacist may also recommend an over-the-counter mast-cell stabilizer, such as ophthalmic lodoxamide, to treat the general symptoms of an allergic irritation.[23]
  5. Treat the symptoms. Your doctor may recommend that you take an antihistamine to calm your body's reaction to the allergen(s) at hand. Some home remedies may help reduce the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
    • Flush the eyes with clean water. Some users may find cool water is more soothing, while others might prefer using lukewarm water.[23]
    • Use cool, wet tea bags. After you've finished a cup of tea, save the tea bag. Once it's cool, apply to affected eye(s) for around ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat up to three times each day.[24]
    • Try using a cold washcloth compress. This may help ease the irritation and inflammation that accompany allergic conjunctivitis.

Warnings

  • If you believe you have an eye infection, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Any loss of vision or blurriness should be treated immediately in a hospital. The remedies described here may help soothe the symptoms of certain types of eye infections, but they will not cure the underlying infection. Some eye infections may cause permanent blindness. Use caution and seek medical help as needed.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. Jump up ↑ http://www.eyehealthweb.com/eye-infections/
  2. Jump up ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/basics/treatment/con-20022732
  3. ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 http://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/clinical.html
  4. Jump up ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/basics/symptoms/con-20022732
  5. Jump up ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20022732
  6. ↑ Jump up to: 6.0 6.1 http://patient.info/health/how-to-use-eye-drops
  7. Jump up ↑ http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/ask/questions/pink-eye-and-contact-lenses.cfm
  8. Jump up ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/basics/prevention/con-20022732
  9. Jump up ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/sty_stye/article.htm
  10. ↑ Jump up to: 10.0 10.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/basics/definition/CON-20022698?p=1
  11. ↑ Jump up to: 11.0 11.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/basics/risk-factors/con-20022698
  12. ↑ Jump up to: 12.0 12.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20022698
  13. Jump up ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/sty_stye/page5.htm
  14. ↑ Jump up to: 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/blepharitis?sso=y
  15. Jump up ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/basics/symptoms/con-20024605
  16. Jump up ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/blepharitis/page4.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_blepharitis
  17. ↑ Jump up to: 17.0 17.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keratitis/basics/symptoms/con-20035288
  18. ↑ Jump up to: 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 http://www.medicinenet.com/keratitis/article.htm#what_are_the_causes_of_keratitis
  19. ↑ Jump up to: 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 http://www.medicinenet.com/keratitis/page2.htm
  20. Jump up ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/keratitis/page3.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_keratitis
  21. Jump up ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/keratitis/page3.htm
  22. Jump up ↑ http://www.visioncarespecialists.com/blog/pink-eye-or-allergies-how-to-spot-the-difference/
  23. ↑ Jump up to: 23.0 23.1 http://www.medicinenet.com/eye_allergy/page5.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_eye_allergies
  24. Jump up ↑ http://www.naturalremedies.org/eye-infections-2/
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