The 6 Best Home Remedies for Pink Eye

Roses, spring dresses and cupcake frosting look pretty in pink. But when the whites of your eyes turn this pastel hue, it’s most likely means you have pink eye — aka conjunctivitis. These natural home remedies will make your peepers sparkling clear again.

Lubricating eye drops help alleviate itchiness, redness and discomfort for all varieties of conjunctivitis, per a September 2020 review in the ‌Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research‌.

“For allergic conjunctivitis, they can be used to dilute the allergens on the surface of the eye, washing them away,” Dr. Karakus says. The ‌Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research‌ review also notes that artificial tears provide a barrier from allergens.

If you have bacterial or viral pink eye, your tear film (the layers coating the cornea that make up tears) is significantly disrupted, causing ouchy, itchy dry eyes. Artificial tears offer relief from this dryness. Drop them in as needed up to four times a day until your symptoms are completely gone.

Soothe your irritated headlights with a chilled washcloth or eye mask. “This might remove some of the soreness and swelling, as well as ease itchiness,” Dr. Karakus says. According to the ‌Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research‌ review, a cold compress is one of the most effective ways to feel better.

First, sterilize your H2O by boiling it and letting it cool. Then dip in a clean washcloth, squeeze it out and place it in the fridge. “Once cold, place it on top of your closed eyes for 10 minutes,” Dr. Karakus says. “Alternatively, you can refrigerate an over-the-counter gel eye mask.”

Got allergic conjunctivitis? “The first-line treatment is to avoid whatever your eyes are sensitive to,” Dr. Karakus says. If it’s dust, vacuum frequently and pop dust covers on your pillows, mattress and comforter. For dander, just say no to hanging out with fur babies. Keeping your windows closed will help prevent you from breathing in pollen and mold spores.

Of course, unless you seal yourself off in a plastic bubble, you can’t always escape allergens (for example, at certain times of year, pollen exposure is essentially unavoidable). And sometimes artificial tears aren’t enough. In that case, you may want to try antihistamine pills.

“Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops address redness and itching and are very safe to use, even year-round if needed,” Dr. Karakus says. The ‌Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research‌ review also confirms that anti-allergy drops ease symptoms.

As for how often to use them, it differs depending on the active ingredients and their concentration, so follow the instructions in the package. Antihistamine drops are also available as a prescription.

Digital screen use is associated with dry eye syndrome, according to a September 2021 study in ‌Clinical Ophthalmology‌.

“Your eyes might need a little extra rest when you have conjunctivitis,” Dr. Karakus says. “Avoid working on a computer or reading onscreen for an extended period of time if it feels uncomfortable.” Grab a paper copy of the news or a book rather than staring at your phone.

When you have an infection in your eye, your blood vessels expand, causing your eye to turn pink or red, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye drops that promise to clear away redness typically contain a decongestant that temporarily constricts the blood vessels in your eye.

“Redness-relieving drops can work fast, but should not be used for more than three consecutive days or your eyes will become addicted to them,” Dr. Karakus says. She frequently sees people who struggle with persistent bloodshot eyes due to overuse of redness-relieving drops. The last thing you want is eye drops that make your pink eye even worse.

Let’s explore the main causes of infection. “Viral or bacterial pink eye is usually from touching a contaminated surface and afterward touching your eye with unclean hands,” Dr. Karakus says.

For example, let’s say you share a towel with someone who’s either got conjunctivitis or is carrying the microorganisms that cause it. Bam: The pink fairy may be headed your way. Or perhaps someone with conjunctivitis touches a doorknob. If you place your hand on the same knob and then rub your eye or, even worse, put in contact lenses without washing your hands first? The next morning, you might wake up a red, itchy mess.

Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by environmental allergies. Dust allergies can get worse overnight because dust mites settle into your bedding. If you have pollen or mold allergies and sleep next to an open window, your peepers might be pink in the a.m.

It depends on the strain of virus or bacteria that caused it.

“Most viruses are contagious for one week, though some can be contagious for up to two weeks,” Dr. Karakus says. “While symptoms usually subside in three to four days, be careful for a full week because there is a chance you may continue to spread infection.”

Bacterial pink eye doesn’t transmit as easily, typically requiring direct contact. Still, follow the same precautions. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.

Pink eye in children it is usually accompanied by an upper respiratory tract infection, including fever and a runny nose. In most cases, home treatment with cold compresses should suffice. Feel free to try artificial tears, too.

But keep, ahem, an ‌eye‌ on things: “If the eye is very swollen and red or your child is in a great deal of discomfort, you should see a pediatrician, and if necessary, an eye care specialist,” Dr. Karakus says. “If symptoms are getting worse rather than better after a day or two, this also warrants a call to the doctor.”

With children, it’s more difficult to control the spread of pink eye. “Don’t send your child to school until the contagious period is over,” Dr. Karakus says.

Yes! It is a self-limiting infection, meaning it will resolve sans medicine.

“Prescription drops can help reduce duration of the infection, but it’s typically not necessary,” Dr. Karakus says. “If it has been a few days and it’s not getting better — or if you have significant vision changes beyond a little blurriness — then you might want to see an eye care specialist.”

While pink eye is the obvious cause for reddened eyes, it’s not always the right diagnosis. “Severe eye pain, decreasing vision or increasing swelling and redness might indicate another condition,” Dr. Karakus says.

For instance, if you use contacts and see a white or gray spot on your cornea accompanied by extreme eye discomfort, you might have a cornea infection. A stye could also be to blame: It can cause redness, eye tenderness and vision changes.