10 Natural Pink Eye Remedies for Fast Relief

Oh baking soda, and my beloved castor oil!! I swear by both of them, did you know castor oil cured my pink eye? I caught it early and saw online add a drop twice a day, it stopped the itch and pain with one drop!!! So anyway, I did add one drop to both eyes and it was GONE in one day but I did it again for one more day. I went to the Doctors for a diff reason and told him to check my eyes, I said I used a home remedy of castor oil to cure it, she just raised his eyebrows and shook his head yes, and when he looked in my eye, he says he sees NO INFECTION.. When you pull my eye lid down you see a tiny bit of yellow dr says that will rinse out on its own, could be from the oil.. Im so happy with that home cure I could have suffered big time, it was awful for me the first day but urgent care was closed. C. Oil rocks!

Sea Salt for Pink Eye

I concur with the below "salt" posters. By the end of the second day of dipping a clean facecloth in a cup of salt mixed in water and then gently dabbing the corner of my eye 3-4 times a day, the redness, gooey secretion, and itching was 90% gone. Gone completely by the end of the third day.

I was afraid to use salt in my eye, so I started with a 1/2 teaspoon in 1 cup of water and worked my way up to 1 or 1 1/2 teaspoon. I used fine pink Himalayan salt with no iodine. (I'm not sure if using iodine in the salt is okay, too. It probably is okay, but you might want to dab injust a little the first couple of times you try it.)

*I didn't have distilled water on hand, so I used bottled water and boiled it first, then waited until it cooled down somewhat before using.

Thanks Sanjay. Could you specify how much salt and lemon juice to use? Should the water be cold?

The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of lemon are well known, and widely accessible. For conjunctivitis, mix lemon juice with a small amount of water and then apply it with a washcloth or in the form of a compress. Citric acid can be very powerful, however, so be careful not to put lemon juice directly in the eye; placing it around the affected tissue will be sufficient.

Dr. William Apt, a leading eye specialist in the mid-1900s, who recommended the Lemon Juice Eye Bath. Apparently, he stumbled upon this secret from a 105 year old man, who told Dr. Apt to “put three or four drops of lemon juice in an eye cup with purified water and wash the eyes with it daily for about 20-30 seconds with each eye.” I started doing the lemon juice eye bath. Lemon juice contain many nutrients, including rich vitamin C that is key important to eyes. Taking lemon eye bath can also help cure cataracts & early stages of pinguecula. Besides, if you suffer dry eyes and eye strain, you can ask help from lemon juice. Besides, taking more vitamin C can also treat macular degeneration etc.

How to use: put three or four drops of lemon juice in an eye cup with purified water and wash the eyes with it daily for about 20-30 seconds with each eye.

Some people claim that lemon juice has helped their pink eye symptoms. Lemon helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of lemon are well known, and widely accessible. Dilute half a teaspoon of lemon juice with a teaspoon of water. Mix well and soak a cotton pad in it. Place the cotton pads over closed eyelids and leave them on for about 20 minutes. Remove the cotton pads and rinse your eyes with plain water. You must do this at least once daily.

Romanian Folklore Remedy:

Lemon Juice Eyewash
1 drop lemon juice, 1 ounce warm water
Mix 1 drop of lemon juice in 1 ounce of warm water and use it as an eyewash. It's particularly effective when your eyes have been exposed to dust, cigarette smoke, harsh lights and chemical compounds in the air.

Alleviation and prevention of severe allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis following long-term lemon juice use: a case report https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769484/

Sanjoo, were you drinking the lemon water and salt, or applying it to your eyes (ouch! )?

Remedy or ways to stop conjuctivitis in its track :

Almost always conjunctivitis starts first by sticky eyelids, which then progresses to painful eyes & then you have full blown eye infection. several years back, I used to have this problem repeatedly every year because we live in Ahmedabad, India which has a very humid climate along with pollution for several months resulting in eye infections, especially for those who drive two wheelers without eye protection or without helmet front glass.

First I tried washing eyes with warm water, helped to clean, but no help to remove the infection. I tried 1/4th lemon juice in water, it helped but was not perfect. then I added salt (abt 1/4th tsp) to this and it works like magic. Your pain subsides & lemon juice starts to heal the eye internally. repeating this after a few hours once or twice may be enough to stop conjunctivitis completely.

Such a simple remedy. completely safe and a much healthier option, because this does not compromise yr immunity like antibiotic drop or steroid drops would do. On the contrary, it enhances your immunity to further infections.

I use CS with 500 PPM- I use 10 drops in a coffee cup filled with distilled water, cover with foil and store in the refrigerator. It feels better on my eyes with cold drops. Then I just use one or two drops 2 or 3 times a day when I get that gritty feeling that something is not right. That dilutes it well and only a tiny bit of stinging, not painful.

I read this last night, tried it this morning and my eye is already clearing up an hour later! Just a few drops and the gritty feeling is already gone. It stung for a few seconds but so worth it to not look bloodshot in my meeting later today. Thank you!

Hi Nancy,

so good to hear the CS worked for your eye. I am thinking of getting CS for list of protocal I see for virus. I woke up couple days with terrible headache and coughing like crazy…raw /scratchy throat today. but I see folks saying take the CS to fight virus. I am scared as its METAL that I will be drinking and its going to be in my body. I didnt think our bodies is to take in foreign METal. Reason why I never had any kinds of Flu shots…I learned flu shots has mercury in it!!!! why would I want that in me. lol. So this Colloidal Silver….that is metal…..isnt that bad for us to put in our body.

thank you

I had woke up with my right eye goopy and red which had never happened to me before. I tried a couple of the remedies on this site (ACV & Lugols Iodine)to no avail. I read a post regarding colloidal silver, which I actually had in my arsenal of natural cures. I tried one drop in each eye in the Am and Pm for 2 days and it is nearly cleared up! Best cure for this issue for me. It didn't burn or sting and got rid of the redness so fast!

My guess is that you did too many doses in one day at too high of a ppm strength. Most people here are using it only one to two times a day, one or two drops in the eye, at a strength of 10-15 ppm (not 50 ppm as you have - that's 4 or 5 times as concentrated). I would dilute it with 4 or 5 parts water to 1 part of your 50ppm CS and wait a full day to do another dose.

Can anyone tell me how to make this boric acid eye wash? Thanks.

Neosporin works for eye mucus. Been struggling with mucus at the edges on my eyes. Smeared regular old neosporin from dollartree at the corners of my eyes and under and over the eye lids 2x daily and in 3 days I am good.

Just be sure you are not allergic to neosporin or it will make your situation worse.

I have been struggling with eye goop and mucus behind my eyelids. The forest fires in California have made the air quality here terrible along with seasonal allergies.

Victorian era women believed diluted lemon juice eye drops kept their eyes clean and bright and clear of infection.

This has helped a lot in a very short time.

* Put 5 - 10 drops of fresh lemon juice (start with 5 drops - adjust to tolerance) and ½ oz distilled saline water or boiled water that is cooled.

* Mix them well.

* Make use of an eye-dropper and put several drops into your eyes. Repeat several times daily. Make a new batch daily.

I've had pink eye 3xs in the last 6 months. Mostly due to using an old eye liner pencil. The first time I didn't know what caused it. The 2nd time I figured it out. The third time was because an eye liner ordered from Amazon may have sat in a warehouse too long.

Anyway, I've tried the Apple cider vinegar, which usually works on most maladies. But it took longer than the iodine remedy did, so I've been using the Povidone iodine. About 20 drops in 2 oz of distilled water. Wet cotton ball with the solution and wipe over eyes so that it gets into the eyes and at the root of the lashes. It doesn't hurt. It may feel odd for a few minutes. But I use it every 3 hrs for 2 days and it completely clears up the infection.

Lugol's Iodine 2% for Eye Infections

I am using homemade eye drops. I use Lugol's 2% Iodine (some recipes use 5%) and mix in 4 drops in a 1 oz dropper bottle with filtered distilled water and sea salt (filtered spring water can also work). I use these drops every morning and my eyes feel great. They feel a little weird for about 10 minutes after doing the drops but that goes away. This remedy is also good for dry eyes, weepy eyes, eye infections, and allergies that affect your eyes. If you are going to start making your own, start with 2 drops Lugol's dilution ratio and work up to 4 drops dilution ratio.

Iodine is by far the best antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic of all time - Dr. David Derry

Iodine kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and even spores of bacteria and fungi, including anthra spores. Iodine was used successfully against influenza, herpes, small pox, and chicken pox viruses. Kills parasites, bacteria, mold, yeast, protozoa, viruses--essentially all pathogens including malaria, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. When iodine was suspended in a solution, viral inactivation occurred at dilutions of 1/1,000,000. (Gershenfeld, L.: Iodine. In Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation. Edited by S. S. Block. Philadelphia, Les & Febiger, 1977, pp.196-218.)

Urine for pinkeye, conjunctivitis I had a recurrent eye infection, not too bad, but every morning some crusties in eyes, not normal in me. So I tried my usual remedy, cotton balls soaked in warm green tea and chamomile tea on my eyes, letting some tea into my eyes as well. That had always done the trick. This time though, the infection kept coming back. I was getting used to having it. Then I asked my women's group for advice and three of them recommended urine! They had used it and it had worked wonders, so I decided to give it a shot. At night I collected my urine in a plastic cup and poured it in my eyes, over the sink, as if my eyes were "drinking" from the cup. I rinsed my face but not my eyes. Went to sleep and next morning, no crusties! I repeated the procedure in the morning and will repeat tonight, to make sure.

Lemon juice with added salt is the surest way to beat conjunctivitis.

Often conjunctivitis flares up in humid weather and when you move outdoors, your eyes start getting sticky which is indication of infection trying to latch in. start rinsing eyes with a glassful of water with some lemon juice added. add more if infection is more. if eyes have started to pain, add salt to the water. you will find immediate relief. repeat it every few hours. absolutely no harm to the eyes. the infection is completely cured in a day or two.

I have been successful in keeping myself free from conjuntivitis for several years now, just by following the above method. it also makes sense to wash eyes, once in a while with lemon solution to keep them clean, even with no conjunctivitis.

I had a continually worsening eye irritation in both eyes for about 2wks. Once it progressed to continual blinking (I believe it's called blepharospasm), interference with my vision, and waking up with my eyes caked with goop, I decided to search earthclinic for a remedy. I decided on trying holy basil in my eyes, as shared by Sabiba from Morocco.

I made a tea with dry loose-leaf Holy Basil tea (Tulsi tea) and dripped it into my eyes. It stung at first, but it did bring quick relief after the initial sting. But it did not heal my eyes.

I then began to take 1000mg doses of powdered Vitamin C with vitamins and minerals added. By the 2^nd day, I knew the C was healing my eyes and the blinking had almost completely discontinued. My eyesight has cleared up as well. I will continue the vit C for a few more days, maybe 5. I'm thankful that God guided me to using the Vitamin C because the only other thing that has helped this in the past has been a trip to my homeopathic dr and taking their remedies. This has saved me about $150.

This works! I took a makeup remover pad, cut it in half and soaked the half in this wonderful remedy and applied it to my eye for about 10min every 4hrs. I had to do this approx 4 times but I noticed relief after only 2x. Totally gone in one day with NO dr visit/antibiotics. Thanks!

I had really bad conjunctivitis for over a month resulting in time off work, doctor prescribed me three different antibiotics and although they seemed to start working at first they never cleared it. Then I read about colloidal silver and decided to try it. A drop in each eye once in morning and once at night for first two days, then once at night only for a further two days and voila! It was basically clear after two days but still getting slightly sticky eyes in the morning so continued for two more days and I was cured!

Yeah, you used way too much - one drop of 10ppm every three hours is what you do.

The infection was greater in that eye and the cs was killing it off so fast, that is what made the reaction. it is called the herxemer effect not sure if spelling is correct. I have had this effect in different parts of my body when cs startes to kill bacteria or virus off.

In reply to Sandy (San Francisco),

I tried coconut oil for dry eyes and for me it caused more irritation than the dry eye condition. I had better luck with oral black currant seed oil and borage oil.

Studies confirm that Hyaluronic Acid in the form of drops is also effective for dry eyes.

Castor oil is helpful also, but it tended to blur my vision a little when first applied, as did coconut oil.

As far as microbes, colloidal silver is frequently mentioned on EC and the web as being useful for that, but I have never tried it for that purpose. I would think if I was going to go for a moisturizer effect with an antimicrobial effect, I might consider colloidal silver with hyaluronic acid for myself, but I like to experiment!

Art

I use coconut oil on my skin and have heard virgin unrefined organic coconut oil is good in the eyes, a natural antiviral, antibiotic, antimicrobial. My problem is microbes, not pink eye, but this is the closest category here. My opthalmologist however said that the Ph level in the eye is naturally more acidic than elsewhere in the body and that coconut oil is a little too alkaline. I've heard enough success stories about using coconut oil short term that maybe it's no a big deal to most people. With my vulnerable corneas, I decided not to chance it. I do use it on the lids carefully and on my face, body and hair. Also, be careful if you wear any kind of contacts - oils degrade them.

I have 250 ppm of CS.. is that safe to use for pink eye or how do I dilute to use in eye for pink eye?

REPORTING QUICK CURE FOR PINK EYE/CONJUNCTIVITIS

I contacted pink eye/conjunctivitis in both eyes. I bought pure organic coconut oil and used my finger to put as much as I could from end to end in both my eyes, every 3-4 hours. The coconut oil takes away any itch and discomfort and soothes the eyes. The infection drained quickly. Every time I felt itching, I added more coconut oil to my eyes. Within 48 hours the infection completely cleared in both eyes, and my eyes returned to their normal size. I kept adding coconut oil every 8 hours the third day to make sure all is gone. Works well with dogs too. Wishing the best of health to everyone.

Pink eye can be dangerous!

Years ago in the late 1980's my 12 year old daughter woke up with pink eye. I tried tea bags on her pink eye problem but she could find no relief. So I took her to Urgent Care and the doctor there took a test and told me nothing was wrong and it would clear up on it's own. Well the pink eye continued and I ended up taking her to the hospital and an appointment was made with an Ophthalmologist. Turned out my daughter didn't have regular pink eye, what was going on was her body was attacking itself and was damaging her pupils! She had autoimmune disorder! If your pink eye problem doesn't clear up don't delay in going to a specialist! The doctors saved her eyesight but we went though hell thinking she could go blind!

Just wanted to share our story of pink eye.

Hi there. I just recently bought colloidal silver for the treatment of my pink eye. It first started in my left eye about 4 days ago. I used some antibiotic drops left over from when my children had it just the week before. Woke up about yesterday with my right eye completely swollen and discharging. Couldn't afford to go to the doctor again so I bought some CS. I did my first dose, 2 drops in each eye, at 1:30 pm and it started clearing. Did a 2nd dose, again 2 drops each, at 4:30pm. Still fine. At about 7:45pm I did my final dose, and my right eye instantly swelled and became irritated, red, discharging again and was very painful. I'm wondering what I did wrong, or if I am having a reaction. I don't believe its a reaction necessarily because my left eye is fine. The ppm of the CS is 50.

Any advice on what to do? I really want to stop the spread of the pink eye as we have a very full house and its already made its way past my 2 children, myself and my nephew. So I'm trying to prevent it passing thru my husband, brother and niece. Should I discontinue the use of CS or is this normal? I've never used it before so any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated.

-Thank you