Has it ever happened that you try opening your eyes in the morning, but the eyelids appear to have been glued to each other? If yes, you’ve got pink eye. Medically known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is a contagious disease that causes inflammation or infection in the protective membrane covering the eyes. This results in irritation and redness.
The symptoms of pink eye are usually mild and last a week or two. But many times, conjunctivitis symptoms worsen, especially when precautions aren’t taken. In such cases, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Otherwise, it may turn into chronic conjunctivitis, which may cause permanent damage to the eyes.
Having said that, we’ve rounded up a few remedies that will come in handy for relieving the dryness and irritation caused due to pink eye. Keep reading, then!
1 Warm Compress
Be it bacterial, viral, or allergic conjunctivitis, stringy, white mucus discharge is common. Along with that, eye redness might occur, and you may even experience mild to moderate inflammation. When that happens, lids and lashes stick together. That is why opening the eyes in the morning after a deep sleep becomes difficult.
A warm compress might be of great help, as it will loosen up the dried mucus around the eyes. It will also help reduce the swelling of the eyes, making it easy for you to open them in the morning.
Note that the water mustn’t be too hot but comfortable to the touch. Otherwise, your pink eye symptoms will worsen and the infection will aggravate.
How to Use
Take a clean, dry cloth and soak it in a bowl of warm water. Wring the cloth and place it over your eyes for a minute or two. Gently press the cloth over your eyelids to remove the buildup of clogged oils in your eyelids. Repeat it a few more times by dipping the cloth in warm water.
You must use a warm water compress several times a day to reduce inflammation and the symptoms of pink eye.
#2 Artificial Tears
Most cases of conjunctivitis aren’t painful, but every person experiences itching and some kind of discomfort. You can relieve itching and discomfort by using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops. These drops ease pink eye symptoms by lubricating and adding moisture to your eyes.
Using artificial tears is the fastest way to get rid of pink eye because these antibiotics flush the irritants out of the eyes.
Often, people use EzriCare Artificial Tears to protect their eyes from irritation and relieve dryness. While it’s effective in treating discomfort, many claim the antibiotic doesn’t work to stop the infection from aggravating.
As of February 2023, about 56 people in 12 states have suffered bacterial infections after using the EzriCare eye drops. One death due to EzriCare is also reported. Doctors worry that the deadly bacteria in the eyedrop can cause more infections in people.
Plaintiffs in the EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit claim that they suffered Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug-resistant bacterial infection, after using its artificial tears. Nevertheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating the multistate bacterial outbreak linked to EzriCare’s artificial tears.
As per TorHoerman Law’s findings, the CDC has registered 81 cases across 18 states of bacterial infection caused by the EzriCare artificial tears. Further, it reveals that out of these 81 people, 14 lost their vision, four had their eyeballs removed surgically, and four succumbed to death.
Instead of buying any OTC artificial tears you come across, it’s best to consult a medical professional.
How to Use
Lay down on a flat surface and squeeze two to three drops of artificial tears into your eyes. Do this three to four times a day or as directed by your physician.
#3 Cold Washcloths
Just as a warm compress can relieve your irritated eyes, pressing cold washcloths on your eyelids can reduce swelling. Cold compress works well in case of allergic conjunctivitis. However, it works wonders for relieving viral conjunctivitis symptoms.
How to Use
Take cold water in a clean bowl and soak a cloth in it for a few minutes. Take the cloth out, wring it, and fold it in half. Then place it over your eyelids for some time and repeat it several times a day.
A Quick Recap
Pink eyes usually go away on their own, irrespective of whether it’s viral, bacterial, or allergic. You can treat conjunctivitis with a warm compress, cold washcloths, and artificial tears. These remedies will provide instant relief and soothe inflammation. Note that these remedies are meant to provide relief, not aggravate the symptoms.
If, after 24 hours, your symptoms seem to worsen or don’t improve at all, you shouldn’t wait any longer and call a doctor. Also, don’t forget to dispose of the infected lens and their case and replace bedsheets, saline solution, and eye makeup to prevent reinfection. While recovering, it’s a good idea to wear glasses till the infection is gone. This way, you will prevent it from spreading.
