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Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye is a swelling of the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. This swelling will cause redness in the eyes as well as: eye pain, itchiness of the eyes, swelling of the upper eyelid, drainage in one or both eyes, and sensitivity to light. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially for more than seven days, you may have pink eye.

Do I have pink eye?

There are four types of pink eye and they include: bacterial, viral, allergic and other. In cases of bacterial pink eye your doctor may prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing the infection. With cases of viral pink eye your doctor will tell you to just wait it out as there aren’t any medications to treat this type of infections. Although, drops may be recommended to help relieve symptoms.

Bacterial pink eye

Bacterial pinkeye develops from bacteria entering the eye. Common causes of bacterial pinkeye include: staph infection, gonorrhea, cat-scratch disease: a bacterial infection that causes pain and swelling in the lymphatic nodes and loss of appetite, in most cases it occurs after a bite, scratch of lick from a cat; and haemophilus influenza type b (a serious bacterial infection).

Symptoms of bacterial pinkeye include mild pain, eye redness, drainage from the eyes (may cause eyelashes to stick together), feeling like there’s sand in the eye, and swelling of the upper eyelid. Bacterial pinkeye causes more discharge from the eye than other types of pinkeye and will be of a grey or yellowish color.

Viral pink eye

Viral pinkeye is usually caused by common respiratory virus which also causes a sore throat or upper respiratory infection. Symptoms of viral pinkeye are redness of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, a lot tearing, itching or burning sensation of the eyelids and discharge from the eyes. In rare occasions, pinkeye can be cause by herpes virus.

Allergic pink eye

Pink eye caused by allergies is quite common and can be brought on by common allergens such as animal dander or pollen. Other types of pink eye can be caused by many factors such as foreign objects in the eye, or from a sexually transmitted diseases passed onto a newborn during birth. Pink eye infection in babies can possibly lead to blindness if not treated. In fact, chlamydial eye infections are the worlds leading cause of preventable blindness.

If you are experiencing any form of pink eye, be sure to practice proper hygiene such as washing your hands with soap and warm water. Do not touch your eyes directly with your fingers to prevent spreading pink eye to others. When necessary wipe your eyes from the inside corner to the outer corner using a clean and sanitized wipe. If you wear contact lenses refrain from using them until the infection has cleared, wear your glasses instead. If you think your contact lenses may be infected throw them out and have new ones ready to wear for after the infection clears.

What causes Pink Eye?

The most common causes of pink eye include:

◦ Chemicals, Smoke, Airborne Environmental Toxins
◦ Bacterial or Viral infections
◦ A lack of tears
◦ Allergies (pet dander, pollen)
◦ Contact with a person affected with conjunctivitis

Pink Eye is not always contagious.

In some cases of pink eye such as in those caused by smoke or certain chemicals, pink eye is not contagious. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is simply a term meaning there is swelling in the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and the eye.

Some individuals may experience such swelling or discharge from the eyes during allergy season. This is because the tear ducts, apart from directing tears to lubricate and clean the eyes, also serve as a way to eliminate toxins from within the eyes.

Home remedies for Pink Eye

Chamomile tea for pink eye infection

Small children and adults can equally benefit from the following home remedy for pink eye. Buy a good quality chamomile tea; these teas are available at local grocery stores; Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have good selections. Loose leaf or tea bags will work just fine. Brew or steep the chamomile tea as directed on the package and allow it to cool for a bit. If you opt for loose leaf make sure to strain the tea well using a fine cloth strainer. Then soak a cotton ball in the slightly warm, preferably room temperature, tea and place over the affected eye. Leave on overnight, or as long as you can, and replace the cotton ball in the morning.

If you are using this remedy during the day you can replace the cotton ball every 2 hours or so. For small children use this remedy during their nap time, it will ease itchiness, swelling and other discomforts; first aid tape can be used to prevent the cotton ball from falling off. This remedy can be used for all types of conjunctivitis. It will help fight infection in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis. It will also speed up recovery time in all the other types of conjunctivitis.

Other Natural Remedies for Pink Eye

Silver Shield liquid

Silver Shield liquid is one of the best natural remedies that can fight over 650 disease causing organisms. Silver shield can heal infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Best of all Silver Shield is safe for all ages (pets too) and can be used topically as well as internally.

To remedy pink eye, use a dropper to place 3 drops of Silver Shield on the affected eye 3 times a day. You may see the infection begin to clear up that same day. For children under 10 use 2 drops in the affected eye twice a day and for babies use 1 drop three times a day. For best results use for in both eyes and for up to one week after the infection has cleared up to prevent any further infection.

If a sore throat, ear infection, sinus infection or throat infection are also present during a pink eye infection you can apply Silver Shield to those areas as well. For the ears: use 3 drops for adults twice a day, two drops for twice a day for children under 10 and for babies 1 drop three times a day. For a sore throat or throat infection use: 1 tablespoon three times a day for adults, 1 teaspoon twice a day for children under 10, and 2 milliliters (approximately half a teaspoon) twice a day for babies. For kids and infants, use along with Silver Shield gel.

For sinus infections present during pink eye infection, use silver shield in a nasal spray bottle. Use 1 spray up to 4 times a day for adults, 1 spray twice a day for children under 10 and for babies use 2 drops in each nostril once a day. For complete information on silver shield, it’s amazing healing properties, applications and more, read this.

Silver Shield Gel

Silver Shield gel is a great natural remedy for pink eye infection. It can be used along with silver shield liquid to help heal pink eye quickly and effectively. To use silver shield gel for pink eye infection, simply dab a small amount to the affected area three times a day. If you wear contact lenses, be sure to remove them first as the gel may dry out the lenses. Silver Shield gel is safe for all ages and can even be used on pets. The gel formula is perfect for treating pink eye infections naturally because it stays on the affected area for a longer period of time. Silver Shield gel can also be used to treat pink eye in babies. This formula is safe if ingest, however, ingesting it is not recommended.

Updated: 6/5/2018

Disclaimer: Our services and information do not diagnose or prescribe for disease conditions. Individuals are encouraged to seek competent medical help when those services may be indicated. Individuals accept total responsibility for their own health care and maintenance.
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