Eye Infection and Irritation: Symptoms, Causes, Home Remedies

Eye infections and irritations are common conditions that can affect anyone at any age. Various factors, including allergies, environmental irritants, and bacterial or viral infections, can cause these conditions. 

While over-the-counter eye drops and prescription medications are available to treat these conditions, some prefer to try natural remedies at home first. This blog will explore some of the best home remedies for eye infections and irritations you can try at home to alleviate discomfort.

It is essential to note that while many home remedies for eye infections and irritations can be effective, they are not always a substitute for professional medical treatment. If you experience severe or prolonged symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. 

In addition, some home remedies may not be suitable for everyone, and it is essential to research and consult with a medical professional before trying any new treatment.

An eye infection can cause various symptoms depending on which eye part is affected. Here are some common areas and their associated symptoms:

• Eyelid: An infection in the eyelid can result in redness, swelling, and discomfort.
• Cornea: The cornea is the clear surface that surrounds the coloured part of the eye (iris). If it gets infected, you may experience pain, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
• Conjunctiva: The conjunctiva is a thin and moist area that surrounds the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eye. Infection in this area can cause redness, itching, excessive tearing, and a gritty feeling in the eye.

Each type of eye infection may have specific symptoms, so paying attention to any changes or discomfort in these areas and seeking appropriate medical attention is essential.

Symptoms of eye infection

An eye infection can have various symptoms that indicate something is wrong with your eyes. Some common signs of an eye infection include:

• Itchy eyes: You may need to rub your eyes frequently due to itching.
• Foreign body sensation: It may seem like something in your eye is causing discomfort or irritation.
• Light sensitivity: Bright lights can hurt your eyes and make them more light-sensitive.
• Burning sensation: You might experience a burning or stinging feeling in your eyes.
• Formation of painful lumps: Small, painful bumps can develop under the eyelids or at the base of the eyelashes.
• Tender eyelids: They may feel tender or sore when you touch them.
• Excessive tearing: Your eyes may produce more tears than usual, causing constant tearing.
• Eye irritation: You may feel ongoing irritation or discomfort in your eyes.
• Eye discharge: You might notice a yellow, green, or white discharge from one or both eyes.
• Pink or red eyes: The white part of your eyes may appear pink or red.
• Swollen and discoloured eyelids: Your eyelids can become swollen, red, or even purple.
• Crusty lashes and lids: You may wake up with crusty or sticky lashes and lids, especially in the morning.

If you experience these symptoms, seeking medical help from an eye care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Causes of eye infection

• Viral or Bacterial Infection: Eye infections are commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections. These infections can occur when bacteria or viruses enter the eye.
• Skin Bacteria: Our skin naturally carries thousands of bacteria. If a minor injury or irritation in or around the eye, these bacteria can enter the area and cause an infection.
• Viruses or Bacteria Not Present on Skin: In some cases, eye infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria not generally found on the skin. These pathogens can enter the eye through various means.
• Transmission from Person to Person: Eye infections can be transmitted from one person to another. For example, if we shake hands with someone who has rubbed their infected eye or touched everyday objects after an infected person, we can pick up the virus or bacteria on our hands and transfer it to our eyes.
• Sharing Towels, Pillows, and Cosmetics: Doctors advise against sharing towels, pillows, and cosmetics to reduce the risk of eye infection. These items can harbour bacteria or viruses that can be easily transmitted to the eyes.

Eye infection preventative measures

• Avoid Close Contact: Avoid people with an eye infection to reduce the chances of catching it yourself.
• Avoid Touching Your Eyes: Refrain from touching your eyes with dirty hands. It can prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
• Clean Contact Lenses: If you are a contact lens user, clean them properly and store them in a clean case. Follow your eye doctor’s instructions for cleaning and replacing your lenses.
• Keep Children Home: If your child has an eye infection, it’s best to keep them home from school or daycare until they fully recover. It helps prevent the infection from spreading to other children.
• Use Disposable Tissues: Instead of using a reusable handkerchief, use disposable tissues to wipe your eyes or face. It helps avoid the transfer of germs and bacteria.
• Wash Hands: Regularly wash your hands with soap and clean water. This simple practice can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting germs to your eyes or spreading an infection.

Home remedies for eye infection

Salt water (saline)

Saltwater, also known as saline, is an excellent eye infection home remedy. Saline is like the natural tears you produce to keep your eyes clean. Salt properties can fight germs and bacteria.

You can easily purchase sterile saline solutions online or from a pharmacy. This solution is specially made to be safe for your eyes and can help alleviate the symptoms of an eye infection. It can be made at home, also.

To make the saline or salt water at home, follow these steps:

• Take half a litre of boiled water and let it cool down.
• Mix one teaspoon of salt with the cooled boiled water well.
• Dip the cotton swab into the saltwater solution.
• Gently wipe your eyes from the corner near your nose and move outward.
• After wiping, discard the used cotton swab.
• Repeat this process several times until the eye irritation starts to settle.

Tea bags

Placing cooled tea bags on your closed eyes can be a relaxing and calming practice. Some people believe it is an effective eye infection home remedy.

Certain types of tea, like green tea, chamomile, and black tea, contain substances that have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Using tea bags on your eyes may help reduce swelling and provide relief.

To help reduce swelling and relieve pain, follow these steps:

• Take two used green tea bags (or chamomile and black tea bags).
• Refrigerate them for a while until they are cool.
• Place the cold tea bags on your closed eyes for 15-20 minutes.
• Afterwards, remove the tea bags and gently wash your eyes.
• You can repeat this process twice a day to help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.

Read more: Causes and Treatments for Eye pain

Warm compress

A warm compress can help relieve infected, irritated, and sore eyes. It is an effective eye infection home remedy for conditions like blepharitis and dry eyes.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply a warm compress:

• Soak a clean cloth in warm water.
• Press the warm cloth against your eye for about 2-3 minutes.
• Repeat the whole process 2-3 times daily to soothe eye irritation.

Remember to use a clean cloth and ensure the water is not too hot to avoid burning yourself.

Cold compress

A cold compress is an effective eye infection home remedy. It can reduce inflammation and swelling caused by eye infections and injuries. While it can relieve specific eye problems, it does not cure eye infections.

Follow these steps to apply a cold compress:

• Soak a clean cloth in cold water.
• Gently apply the cold cloth to your eyes.
• Avoid pressing too hard on the eye and putting ice directly on the eye or eyelid.

Washing linens

• Wash your towels and pillowcases daily if you have an eye infection like conjunctivitis.
• Infected eyes can transfer the infection to the other eye or family members through contact with towels and pillowcases.
• Use hot water and detergent to wash them.
• Washing with hot water and detergent helps kill any remaining bacteria and prevents the spread of infection.

Honey

Honey has been used for decades to treat eye infections such as blepharitis, keratitis, and keratoconjunctivitis and is an excellent eye infection home remedy. It is because honey has strong properties that can reduce inflammation and fight against microbes, which can help alleviate eye infections.

Do it yourself:

• Boil a cup of water and let it cool down.
• Add two drops of honey to the cooled water and stir well.
• Ensure the dropper you use is sterilised.
• Put a drop of the honey-water mixture in each eye using the dropper.
• Wait for 5-10 minutes, then wash your eyes.
• Repeat this process twice daily for better results.

Euphrasia (eyebright)

• Euphrasia, also known as eyebright, is a plant with medicinal uses.
• The above-ground plant parts are used to make medicine.
• Euphrasia is sometimes suggested as an eye infection home remedy.
• Preliminary research has shown positive results, but further studies must be conducted to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
• Using euphrasia may also increase the risk of infection.
• A study examined the effectiveness of Euphrasia eye drops on individuals with conjunctivitis. After using the drops multiple times a day for two weeks, 53 participants fully recovered, and 11 experienced significant improvement in their symptoms.
• However, more research reviewed by experts is required to determine the actual benefits of euphrasia.

When treating common eye problems at home, several remedies can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing. One such common eye problem is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Viral or bacterial infection often causes conjunctivitis, making the eyes red, itchy, and watery. 

One effective eye infection home remedy for conjunctivitis is using warm compresses. Simply soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water and gently place it over the affected eye for a few minutes.

In addition to warm compresses, you can use saline solution to clean your eyes. A saline solution (mixture of salt and water) can help flush out any debris or irritants from the eyes.

Cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and provide relief from discomfort. For individuals with sore eyes, cold compresses can be pretty soothing. Like warm compresses, you can use a clean cloth soaked in cold water and gently place it over the affected eye.

Home remedies for eye irritation

• Apply a warm and cool compress: Alternating between warm and cool compresses can help reduce inflammation and soothe the eyes. Use a clean cloth soaked in warm water for a few minutes, followed by a soak in cold water.
• Keep the eye area clean: Keeping the eye area clean can help prevent further irritation. Use a cleanser or plain water to gently wash the eyelids and remove debris.
• Use a humidifier: Using a humidifier at home can add moisture to the air, which can help alleviate dryness and reduce eye irritation.
• Avoid allergens: If you have known allergens that trigger eye irritation, try to avoid them as much as possible. It may include avoiding exposure to pollen, dust, pet dander, or certain chemicals.
• Use eye drops: Over-the-counter eye drops can temporarily relieve eye irritation. Look for eye drops specifically formulated for dry or irritated eyes and follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: If you spend long periods looking at screens or doing close-up work, follow the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on an object at least 20 feet away. It can help reduce eye strain and irritation.
• Splash your eye with cold water: Splashing your eye with cold water can provide an immediate soothing effect and help alleviate irritation.
• Apply slices of cucumbers: Placing cool cucumber slices over closed eyelids for about 10 minutes can help reduce eye irritation and puffiness.
• Use rose water: Gently caress closed eyelids with clean cotton soaked in rose water. Rose water can have a soothing effect on the eyes and alleviate irritation.
• Allow yourself to cry: Crying can help lubricate the eyes and wash out impurities that may be irritating.
• Try grated potato: Applying a grated piece of potato to the eyes for about 15 minutes can reduce inflammation and soothe irritated eyes.
• Use coriander juice: Grind coriander leaves to extract the juice and put two drops into each eye. Coriander juice can provide relief from eye irritation.

Takeaway message

In conclusion, while many home remedies can help alleviate the symptoms of eye infections and irritations, it is essential to remember that these remedies may not always be a substitute for professional medical treatment. You must seek medical attention promptly if your symptoms are severe or prolonged. 

Before trying any new treatment, it’s also crucial to research and consult with a medical professional to ensure that the remedy is safe and appropriate for your specific situation. With the right approach, you can effectively manage eye infections and irritations and return to feeling comfortable and healthy.

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Disclaimer 

The content provided within this article has been thoroughly verified for accuracy. However, we advise consulting a healthcare professional before utilising any medication or dietary supplements mentioned herein.

References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953621/ 
• https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1749-8546-5-13 
• https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/4521166%22%20%5Ct%20%22 
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cxo.12524