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Home Remedies for Pink Eye

There is usually no medical treatment for the viral form of pink eye (conjunctivitis). Antibiotics only work against the bacterial form of the infection. It is important to see a doctor so he or she can determine the type of pink eye you have and whether or not you need antibiotics. If he or she does not believe you have bacterial conjunctivitis, you may want to try one of these home remedies.

Raw Honey
Research has confirmed what many have known for years - that raw honey has powerful antibiotic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Taking two or three teaspoons of raw honey per day while the eye infection is present may help your body fight off the infection faster. You can also place a drop of honey directly into the eye. Do not do this with processed, non-raw honey. Only raw honey has the anti-infectious properties.

Black Tea
A popular and effective natural remedy for pink eye is black tea. Steep a black tea bag in warm water, then place it over the infected eye for about 30 minutes. Repeat every few hours.

Green Tea
Like black tea, green tea is another popular home remedy for pink eye. Steep a bag of green tea in warm water, then place over the infected eye for about 30 minutes. Repeat every few hours.

Sea Salt
Many people swear by the effects of sea salt for clearing up conjunctivitis. Dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water. Place two or three drops in the eye. You can also soak a cotton ball with the solution and hold it over the eye.

Breast Milk
For infants with pink eye, many mothers swear that a drop of breast milk in the baby's eye will help clear up the infection.

Have you tried any of these remedies? Is there a home remedy for pink eye not listed here that worked for you? We want to hear about it! Drop us a line at editor @ healthdiaries.com (remove the spaces) and we'll post your experiences, both good and bad, here.

Pink Eye Topics