Conjunctivitis is an eye disease caused by allergies or infections. The body is able to heal it on its own, but there are a few things you can do to speed up the process, depending on the type of conjunctivitis you suffer from. This tutorial describes what you need to know to get rid of this annoying problem quickly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: The Basics
Step 1. Identify the type of conjunctivitis
This infection can occur due to viruses, bacteria, and even allergies. In all cases, however, the eyes become red, tearful and itchy; however, other symptoms may occur, depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis.
- The viral form can affect one or both eyes, and people with this type of conjunctiva tend to have sensitivity to light. It is a highly contagious and difficult to treat infection. It is usually necessary to wait for the disease to run its course, which also means one to three weeks. The best way to cure this form of conjunctivitis is to prevent possible complications.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis causes sticky, yellowish or greenish fluid to leak out in the corner of the eye. In extreme cases, it can even "glue" the eyelids together. One or both eyes can become infected and even then the disease is contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis should be treated by a doctor. Sometimes it is possible to overcome the disease with home remedies, but antibiotics significantly reduce the duration.
- Allergic conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by other allergic symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, and affects both eyes. In this case there is no danger of contagion and you can proceed with a home treatment, even if those who suffer from severe allergies may require medical therapy to quickly resolve the problem.
Step 2. Know when to see a doctor
It never hurts to contact your eye doctor when you have conjunctivitis, as they will be able to provide you with great advice on what to do. In any case, you should see an eye professional if conjunctivitis is accompanied by more troubling symptoms.
- Call your doctor if you experience eye pain that may be moderate or severe, or if you notice vision problems that do not go away even after clearing the purulent material from your eyes.
- If you notice that your eyes turn even more red to a deep red, you should contact an eye doctor as soon as possible.
- See your doctor right away if you are concerned that you have a severe form of viral conjunctivitis, such as that caused by the herpes simplex virus, or if you are immunosuppressed due to HIV infection or cancer treatments.
- You must call your doctor even if bacterial conjunctivitis does not improve even after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Part 2 of 3: Home Treatments
Step 1. Try antiallergic medications
If you have mild allergic conjunctivitis, an over-the-counter antihistamine may be enough to eliminate symptoms within hours or even days. However, if you don't notice any improvement quickly, it's probably a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
- Take an antihistamine. The body reacts to allergens by producing chemicals called histamines, and it is these chemicals that are responsible for conjunctivitis and other allergy symptoms. The antihistamine allows you to reduce histamine levels or block them completely, thus reducing symptoms.
- Choose a decongestant. Although this drug does not block the action of the allergen on your body, it does allow you to keep inflammation under control. This way, it prevents the eyes from becoming inflamed.
Step 2. Clean the infected eye regularly
It is important to carefully clean the eye whenever purulent material forms, so as to avoid possible bacterial proliferation.
- Clean it starting from the inner corner, near the nose. Gently rub your entire eye moving towards the outer canthus. This will move the infected material away from the tear ducts and protect the eye.
- Make sure you always wash your hands before and after cleaning your eyes.
- Use a clean area of the wipe each time you rub your eye to avoid reapplying the infected material.
- Discard the disposable moistened tissue or gauze immediately. Place any towels in the laundry basket immediately after use.
Step 3. Apply an eye drop that you find at the pharmacy without a prescription
You can get "artificial tears" that relieve symptoms and wash the eye.
- Most over-the-counter eye drops are mild saline-based lubricants designed to replace tears. They can soothe dryness caused by conjunctivitis and also help flush the eye of contaminants that could complicate and prolong viral, bacterial, or allergic infection.
- Some eye drops also contain antihistamines, which are useful in treating allergic conjunctivitis.
Step 4. Apply a cold or warm compress
Soak a soft, clean, lint-free cloth in water. Squeeze it well to remove excess water and apply it to closed eyes with light pressure.
- Cold packs are generally recommended for allergic conjunctivitis, but even warm ones can soothe discomfort and reduce swelling in the case of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Keep in mind, though, that warm compresses increase the risk of spreading the infection from one eye to the other, so be sure to use a clean compress for each application and a different one for each eye.
Step 5. Remove your contact lenses
If you generally wear contact lenses, you should take them off and give them up for the duration of the infection, as they tend to irritate the eyes, causing further complications, and can trap the bacteria responsible for conjunctivitis in the eye.
- Frequent replacement lenses will need to be discarded if you have worn them during the active phase of the bacterial or viral infection.
- If you use annual or quarterly contact lenses, you will need to do a very thorough cleaning before using them again.
Step 6. Take all precautions to avoid spreading conjunctivitis
Both bacterial and viral infections are contagious, and you may become infected again after recovery if you pass the disease on to other family members.
- Don't touch your eyes with your hands. If you touch them or touch your face, wash your hands immediately afterwards. Also, you need to wash them thoroughly even after applying medication to your eyes.
- Use a clean washcloth and towel every day. Change your pillow cases every day throughout the active phase of the infection.
- Do not share any objects that have come into contact with your eyes, such as eye drops, towels, linens, cosmetics, contact lenses, contact lens solutions or containers, or tissues with anyone.
- Do not apply eye make-up until you are completely cured of conjunctivitis. If not, you could still get infected through cosmetics. If you used any makeup during the infection, you need to throw it away.
- Avoid going to school or work for a few days. Most people with viral conjunctivitis can resume normal outdoor activities after 3 to 5 days when symptoms start to improve. In the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, however, you can return to your duties when the symptoms disappear or after 24 hours from the start of treatment with antibiotics.
Part 3 of 3: Pharmacological Treatments
Step 1. Take prescription eye drops
Although over-the-counter ones are effective for many people suffering from conjunctivitis, prescription ones are stronger and can get rid of the disease faster.
- Treat bacterial conjunctivitis with antibiotic eye drops. It is a topical treatment that acts directly on the bacteria. It usually clears the infection within a few days, but after 24 hours you should notice an improvement. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to apply.
- If conjunctivitis is allergic, take antihistamine or cortisone drops. Although some eye drops with antihistamines can be purchased without a prescription, a prescription is required if you want to find a stronger product. If the allergy is quite severe, it is sometimes also managed with steroid eye drops.
Step 2. Try an antibiotic ointment
This is easier to apply than eye drops, especially if the patient is a child.
- Be aware that the ointment can blur your vision for 20 minutes after application, but your vision will return clear over time.
- With this treatment, bacterial conjunctivitis should disappear after a few days.
Step 3. Learn about antiviral medications
If your doctor suspects your conjunctivitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus, they may decide to give you some antiviral medication.
