Conjunctivitis

• What is conjunctivitis?

• What causes conjunctivitis?

• Symptoms

• Natural remedies

• Other ways to help

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that cover the eyelids and white of the eyes. It is a very common eye condition and is generally serious, though it can cause discomfort. It normally affects both eyes at the same time, although one eye can be worse than the other.

What causes conjunctivitis?

There are five different kinds of conjunctivitis, each with different causes:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis - An infection caused by bacteria from your own skin or upper respiratory tract or possibly, bacteria caught from another person with conjunctivitis.

• Viral conjunctivitis - Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with common colds and spreads rapidly.
  

• Chlamydial conjunctivitis - This organism may also affect other parts of the body and can cause the venereal disease Chlamydia.
  

• Allergic conjunctivitis – This is common in people who have other forms of allergies such as hay fever, asthma and eczema. The conjunctivitis is often caused by antigens like pollen, dust mites or cosmetics.
  

• Reactive conjunctivitis - Some people are very susceptible to chemicals in swimming pools or to smoke or fumes and this can cause an irritation of the eyes.

Symptoms

• Bacterial conjunctivitis - This is a condition that affects both eyelids. They are red and emit a sticky discharge.
  

• Viral conjunctivitis -The eyes are red and there may be a watery discharge. The eyes are uncomfortable and sometimes the lymph nodes around the ear or neck feel tender.
  

• Chlamydial conjunctivitis - Both eyes will be red with a sticky discharge. The cornea as well as the whites of the eyes may be infected too.
  

• Allergic conjunctivitis –The eyes will be incredibly itchy and may emit a stringy discharge.
  

• Reactive conjunctivitis - Discomfort, redness and watering after exposure to chemicals.

Natural remedies

• Homeopathy, such as the homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla, has traditionally been used to help with the secretion of discharge from the eyes. The remedy Belladonna is useful if there is little discharge but the eyes are red, swollen and feel like they’re burning. (Always read the label on a product.)

• Aromatherapy - Using aromatherapy oils will promote healing and help draw out the infection. Try making a warm compress with either Chamomile, Lavender or Rose oil. Make sure you do not put the oils directly in your eyes.

• Make a natural eyewash - Put three tablespoons of honey in 2 cups of boiling water, stir to dissolve, let it cool, then use as an eyewash several times a day. The honey has antibacterial properties and will soothe the eye and promote healing.
   

• Tea compress - Tea contains bioflavonoids that fight viral and bacterial infections and can help reduce inflammation. Put a moist teabag of either black or eyebright tea on the affected eye for several minutes. Repeat several times a day. If your eye is swollen, moisten the teabag with cool water. The tannic acid in the tea will soothe the itching. A weak solution of tea may be used as eyewash.
   

• Eyebright tincture - Eyebright has been used for hundreds of years for a variety of eye problems. It has astringent and antibacterial properties that are soothing to the eyes. Put three drops of eyebright tincture in a tablespoon of boiled water. When cool, use as an eyewash.

Other ways to help

• The body will normally clear conjunctivitis by itself in a week or two (with the exception of chlamydial conjunctivitis) however, if symptoms worsen for any type of conjunctivitis, contact your doctor.

• Make sure you keep the eyes clean with cotton wool soaked in boiled water.

• As this is a highly contagious condition it is important to ensure that a strict code of hygiene is adhered to, such as regular hand and face washing and no sharing of face towels.