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Pink eye is a medical term to describe the inflammation of your eye. It is also known as red eye, allergic conjunctivitis or pink eye. You may develop pink eye if you have allergies or an infection in your eyes. If you don’t treat it on time, the condition can become quite severe and cause some serious issues to your vision. The main symptoms of this type of infection are watery discharge from one or both eyes along with itchiness, redness, and swelling of the lids. These red eyes are not directly caused by emotions but more so by external factors that trigger them. In this article, we will discuss five common causes for pink eye and how to get rid of it fast at home using natural remedies from the kitchen such as lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Let’s take a look at these effective home remedies for pink eye if you find yourself suffering from it one day:
Allergic conjunctivitis:
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Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the eyelids that occur due to an allergic reaction. The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are red and watery eyes, itching, and swelling of the eyelids. It is most commonly triggered by airborne substances such as dust, smoke, pollen, or pet fur. What makes it a common cause for pink eye is that it can happen to anyone, regardless of age and gender. Frequently, those who have allergies have a higher chance of developing allergic conjunctivitis. You can prevent the infection from getting worse by staying away from allergens that trigger it such as dust, smoke, and pet fur.
Pink eye vs. infection:
Bacteria is everywhere, and when it comes into contact with your delicate ocular organs, it can cause infections. Here are two of the most common bacterial infections, their symptoms, and possible treatments.
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You may often find articles that discuss the difference between pink eye and an eye infection. But there isn’t a huge difference between these two conditions. They share a few similarities such as the presence of a watery discharge, redness, itchiness, and swelling of the lids. The main difference between the two is that an infection occurs when your eye comes in contact with an external pathogen whereas pink eye occurs when your body overreacts to allergens. If you are treating pink eye with antibiotics, then it is important to know that you do not have an eye infection. Antibiotics work against eye infections but they do not work against pink eye.
Dry eye syndrome:
Dry eye syndrome is the most common reason behind developing pink eye. It is a condition in which you do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. It is commonly seen among people who wear contact lenses. If you have dry eyes, you may experience a reduced number of tears, which are necessary for cleaning and removing dust particles from your eyes. As a result, you may get more dust particles stuck in your eyes and they may lead to eye infections. Dry eye syndrome can also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as Sjögren syndrome, diabetes, and arthritis. You can prevent pink eye caused by dry eyes by using eye drops or artificial tears to moisten your eyes.
One approach to treating dry eyes is plugging the openings to the tear ducts with tiny silicone plugs (punctal plugs). These plugs close the tiny opening (punctum) that you have in the inner corner of your upper and lower eyelids. The closure conserves both your own tears and artificial tears you may have added.
Corneal ulcer:
A corneal ulcer appears as white, hazy spots on the eye. This corneal ulcer is a bacterial infection related to sleeping in contact lenses.
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Corneal ulcer is a condition in which the thin layer of your eye gets injured. It is one of the most common causes of pink eye in children. It is also known as a staphylococcal eye infection. This bacterial infection can cause severe redness, severe pain, and a pus-like discharge from the eyes. If left untreated, corneal ulcers can cause a serious infection that can affect your central nervous system. To prevent this infection, you can use a clean towel to clean your hands before touching your baby’s eyes. You can also use an antibiotic ointment to treat this infection.
Trachoma
Trachoma is a bacterial infection that causes a serious form of pink eye. It is a very common disease in children and adults who do not have access to clean water and proper sanitation. It can cause blurred vision, an itching sensation, and a constant redness in your eyes. It can also lead to blindness if it is not treated on time. To treat pink eye caused by trachoma, you can use antibiotics.
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Conclusion
Pink eye is a very common condition in which one or both of the eyelids become inflamed and watery. There are many causes of pink eye, such as allergies, bacterial infections, and irritants like dust and smoke. If you or your child develops pink eye, there are many ways to treat it at home, including getting plenty of rest, applying cooling compresses, and using over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies such as cayenne pepper and lemon juice.