The eyes can be prone to numerous viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Each pathogen causes different problems, but eye infections usually present with signs of irritation or pain, redness or inflammation, discharge and decreased vision. These microorganisms can infect one or both eyes, causing loss of vision in severe cases. Conjunctivitis, sty and allergic reactions are the most common infections. If you experience pain or decrease in vision, consult your doctor immediately. If it is a mild case, there are several home remedies that can alleviate the symptoms of eye infections.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Treating Conjunctivitis
Step 1. Learn about conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also called "pink eye", is extremely contagious. It can be bacterial and viral in nature, and both infectious forms are spread through hand contact with the eyes or sharing personal items, such as pillows or cosmetics. If it is a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic therapy which, however, is ineffective in cases of viral conjunctivitis. In these circumstances, the virus simply has to run its course, which usually lasts 2-3 weeks. To treat conjunctivitis naturally, you need to act on the symptoms, in order to relieve the ailment of the eye and begin to feel better.
- Viral conjunctivitis is typically caused by some viruses, including adenovirus, picornavirus, rubella, and herpes.
- For its part, bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by certain bacteria, including staph, haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus and moraxella. It is often transmitted by bacteria in the stool.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
The most common side effects of conjunctivitis are redness (hence the name "pink eye"), itching, secretions that crust over the eyelids during sleep and persistent irritation.
Step 3. Make a compress
Try a cold water pack and a warm one (but not too much) to determine which one is best for you.
- Run a clean towel under the tap. Start with cold water, as it is generally more soothing.
- Wring out the towel.
- Apply it to the affected eye or both eyes, depending on how common the conjunctivitis is.
- Lie down and leave the cold pack on your eyes for as long as necessary, which is until the pain and irritation begin to subside, wetting them again if necessary.
Step 4. Apply lubricating eye drops
Although non-prescription eye drops do not cure infection, they can help reduce redness and irritation. Follow the instructions to know how to use.
- Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area.
- Lie on your back before applying the drops.
- Drop one drop at a time into one or both eyes.
- Close them immediately after application and do not open them for about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5. Avoid using contact lenses
They can trap bacteria in the eyeball and prolong the symptoms of the infection. Also, throw away any disposable contact lenses you have applied to infected eyes.
Step 6. Pay attention to hygiene
Anyone can have conjunctivitis. There is nothing to be embarrassed about; the most important thing is to prevent its transmission and prevent it from becoming recidivist.
- Wash your hands often with warm soapy water. This is especially important if you have to touch your face or eyes.
- Do not share face towels and cosmetics.
- Throw away make-up products and disposable contact lenses that may be contaminated.
- Wash any bedding items that may have come into contact with your face during the infection.
Step 7. Ask your doctor if you need antibiotic therapy
If the conjunctivitis is bacterial in nature, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Method 2 of 5: Treating the sty
Step 1. Learn about sty
Usually the sty begins with the appearance of a red growth on or near the eyelid, often purulent. It occurs when the sebaceous glands in the eyelid contract an infection, usually of a staphylococcal nature. Sty affects the sweat or sebaceous glands of the eyelids, and should not be confused with chalazion, which specifically affects the meibomian gland. The infection usually goes away on its own, but in the meantime it can be quite painful.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
Generally the symptomatological set is characterized by:
- Swelling and limited redness in the area above or adjacent to the eyelid, very similar to a boil
- Pain and irritation on or around the eyelid
- Excessive tearing.
Step 3. Learn about those at risk
Anyone can develop this type of infection, but certain habits and activities can increase the likelihood of contracting styes. Generally the risk is higher:
- In subjects who touch the eyes and face without washing their hands first.
- In subjects who wear contact lenses without having disinfected them before use.
- In subjects who do not remove make-up from the eyes and do not wash or cleanse their face before going to bed.
- In people suffering from certain diseases, such as rosacea, skin diseases or blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids).
Step 4. Let the sty heal
Don't try to squeeze it, or the infection could worsen and spread.
Step 5. Treat the symptoms
The best way to cure the sty is to address the symptoms during the healing process.
- Gently wash the infected site. Do not rub or rub your eyes.
- Make a warm compress with a towel. If necessary, wet it again and keep it for 5-10 minutes.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup until the infection is healed.
Step 6. Add omega-3s to your diet
It is possible to relieve some symptoms caused by sty by increasing the daily intake of these fatty acids, which work by improving the flow of sebum and promoting the functionality of the sebaceous glands.
Method 3 of 5: Treating Blepharitis
Step 1. Learn about blepharitis
Blepharitis is chronic inflammation of one or both eyelids. It is not contagious and is mostly caused by a bacterial (staph) infection or by long-term skin diseases, such as dandruff or rosacea. It can also be caused by excessive sebum production by the eyelid, which favors the onset of a bacterial infection. The two main types of blepharitis are the anterior one, which affects the outer edge of the eyelid, and the posterior one, which affects the inner edge.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
Generally, the symptom set is characterized by:
- Redness.
- Irritation.
- Watery eyes.
- Sticky eyelids.
- Photosensitivity.
- Persistent itching.
- Peeling of the eyelid skin.
Step 3. Learn about those at risk
It is possible to get blepharitis at any age, although people with pre-existing skin conditions, such as dandruff and rosacea, are often at higher risk.
Step 4. Treat the symptoms
There is no specific medication to treat blepharitis, so the best option is to treat the symptoms in order to reduce pain and irritation.
- Make a warm compress with a towel. If necessary, wet it again and keep it for 5-10 minutes, several times a day.
- Gently wash your eyelids with an irritant-free baby shampoo to remove scabs and flaky bits of skin. Make sure to rinse your eyes and face thoroughly afterwards.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup during infection.
- Massage the eyelid glands just enough to stimulate them to release excess sebum. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes and when you're done.
Step 5. Consider taking antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, or tetracyclines to treat the infection causing blepharitis.
Method 4 of 5: Treating Keratitis
Step 1. Learn about keratitis
Keratitis is inflammation of part of the cornea and conjunctiva, in one or both eyes, and can be infectious in nature. Symptoms can be short-lived or chronic. Typically, they include pain and redness, irritation, excessive discharge or tearing, difficulty opening the eyes, blurred or low vision, and photosensitivity. See your doctor right away if you suspect keratitis. Delay in treatment can promote permanent blindness. There are several types of keratitis, which differ from each other according to the causative agent.
- There bacterial keratitis it is usually caused by infection with staph, haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus or pseudomonas, often accompanied by superficial damage to the cornea. It can result in the formation of ulcers at the infected site.
- There viral keratitis it can be caused by various viruses, including the one that triggers the normal cold, or even the herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles.
- There fungal keratitis it is often caused by Fusarium spores, which tend to grow in dirty contact lenses. People with compromised immune systems can contract keratitis from candida, aspergillus, or nocardia spores, although it is quite rare in healthy individuals.
- There chemical keratitis it is caused by exposure to chemicals, excessive wear on contact lenses, chemical splashes or fumes, or immersion in water treated with irritants, as can happen in swimming pools and hot tubs.
- There keratitis from physical agents it is caused by various kinds of trauma to the eyes, including prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and light from welding torches.
- There onchocerciasis keratitis it is caused by a parasitic amoeba that can infect people who wear contact lenses. This form of keratitis can lead to the so-called "river blindness". It is widespread mainly in Third World countries, but is quite rare in other parts of the planet.
- There dry keratitis and the filamentous keratitis they are superficial inflammations caused respectively by dry eyes and irritation of the tear film.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
Generally, the symptom set is characterized by:
- Ache.
- Redness.
- Irritation.
- Excessive discharge or tearing.
- Difficulty opening your eyes.
- Blurred vision or low vision.
- Photosensitivity.
Step 3. Learn about those at risk
Anyone can suffer from keratitis, but certain factors make some people more prone to developing this inflammation than others. Typically, the risk is higher:
- In individuals who have sustained an injury to the surface of the cornea.
- In individuals who wear contact lenses.
- In individuals suffering from chronic or severe dry eye.
- In individuals who have compromised immune systems due to AIDS or taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs.
Step 4. Treat keratitis
Contact your doctor immediately to find out if you need to take antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral medications. They may also prescribe steroid therapy to treat the inflammation associated with keratitis. Once the visit is over, you can use other treatments in combination with prescribed medications to relieve symptoms.
- Use lubricating eye drops. Although over-the-counter eye drops do not cure infection, they can help reduce redness and irritation. Follow the instructions to find out how many times you need to apply it, and let your doctor know about any over-the-counter medications you plan to take.
- Stop wearing contact lenses if you have keratitis. Eliminate disposable ones that you may have used while the infection was still ongoing.
Method 5 of 5: Treating Eye Allergics
Step 1. Learn about eye allergies
Allergies can cause a non-contagious form of conjunctivitis, which can be caused by allergies to pets or allergens found in the environment, such as pollen, grass, dust and mold.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
Generally, the symptom set is characterized by:
- Itchy and irritated eyes.
- Redness and swelling.
- Excessive tearing.
Step 3. Learn about those at risk
Anyone can develop allergic conjunctivitis. The main risk factors are seasonal and environmental allergies.
Step 4. Try over-the-counter medications
An over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine can help reduce symptoms. It is also possible that your doctor or pharmacist will suggest a mast cell stabilizer, such as ophthalmic lodoxamide, to treat general symptoms and irritation caused by allergy.
Step 5. Treat the symptoms
Your doctor may recommend that you take an antihistamine to calm your body's reaction to exposure to allergens. Some home remedies help relieve the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
- Wash your eyes with clean water. Some people find cold water more soothing, others prefer lukewarm water.
- Use tea bags. When you've finished drinking a cup of tea, retrieve the sachet. Once it has cooled, apply it to your eyes for about 10-15 minutes. Repeat this 3 times a day.
- Try making a cold compress with a towel. It can help relieve the irritation and inflammation that accompany allergic conjunctivitis.
