5 Recommended Essential Oils for Pink Eye: How to Use Them
Have you ever awoken to a swollen, embroidered eye? If so, you likely had a case of pink eye. However, using one of the best essential oils for pink eye might help clear your infection you can seek further medical treatment.
Pink eye is an infection of the outer layer of the eye and inflammation of the whites of the eye. This common infection is very contagious and is often seen in children, though anyone can catch it.
Depending on its cause, the condition may be left to run its course or be treated with eye drops, however, some essential oils have been found to provide relief of the symptoms of pink eye.
What is Pink Eye?
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is highly infectious. How long you are contagious varies on the type. Your infection will eventually clear on its own in about 10 days, but your symptoms could linger upward of a month.
The infection primarily affects the outer eye with some irritation to the white portion. It can be viral, bacterial, or related to allergens and irritants, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of Pink Eye:
- Feeling of sand or dirt
- Discharge that might vary in color, including clear, green, white, or yellow
- Swelling if the white of your eye
- Crust forms on your eyelids and lashes
Benefits of Choosing Essential Oils for Treating Your Pink Eye
In place of conventional treatments, oils for pink eye won’t extend the growing concern of antibiotic resistance. They might assist you in managing your symptoms before you reach a doctor too.
Essential oils are generally safe when you use them properly with little to no side effects or interactions, so you might prefer to use them in conjunction with any prescribed treatments your doctor suggests too.
Ancient medical texts support their use for a variety of ailments. Many essential oils now have modern science backing or investigating their claims too.
5 Best Essential Oils for Pink Eye
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
It contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that kill the virus. The oil helps to reduce the bacteria that cause pink eyes. You can also use Tea Tree Oil on cuts and burns and treats cold and flu infections.
Things You Need
- Three Drops of Tea Tree Oil
- Two Drops of Coconut Oil
Steps To Follow
- Mix a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil.
- Gently massage it around the eyes.
- Do not use Tea Tree Oil in direct contact with the eyes. It can irritate the eyes and make the situations worse.
2. Coconut Essential Oil
Coconut Oil provides many health benefits and improves the symptoms of pink eyes. It is a useful home remedy that helps to fight eye infection and boost the immune system.
Its usage in a raw form is safe and works to reduce the redness of eyes. It soothes the eye area and gives quick relief from pink eyes.
Things You Need
- Few Drops of Coconut Oil
- Cotton Ball
Steps To Follow
- Use a cotton ball and put Coconut Oil on it.
- Gently apply it to the affected area with eyes closed.
- You can also use a clean cloth to give compress to the eye.
3. Lavender Essential Oil
The hot compress helps to treat sore eyes and reduce swelling. Lavender Oil is helpful in treating pink eye and remove the infection. It helps to reduce the eye inflammation caused by blood vessels.
The organic oil contains many healing properties that give a soothing effect to the eyes. It also helps to relieve irritated, itchy and burning eyes. Its antimicrobial properties help to kill infections and treat pink eyes.
Things You Need
- Few Drops of Lavender Oil
Steps To Follow
- Take Lavender Oil and gently rub oil around the eyes.
- Do not put the drops inside the eyes.
- Try this one or two times a day to get rid of pink eyes.
4. Neem Essential Oil
Neem Oil helps to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria and virus. It contains antimicrobial properties that reduce pain and skin irritation.
Neem contains many active compounds. You can use it with the combination of Tea Tree Oil to see good results.
Things You Need
- One Drop of Tea Tree Oil
- Three Drops of Neem Oil
Steps To Follow
- Mix three drops of Neem Oil and one drop of Tea Tree Oil.
- Gently apply it to the affected eye.
- Leave it overnight and clean with water the next morning.
- Use it once a day to see better results in a few days.
5. Roman Chamomile Hydrolat
Roman Chamomile Hydrolat is another useful alternative medicine for many ailments. It helps to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin and itchiness.
Its oil kills bacteria, viruses, and infections or allergies that cause pink eye.
Things You Need
- One Tbsp. Roman Chamomile Hydrolat
- Lukewarm Water
- Clean Cloth
Steps To Follow
- Take a bowl and mix a few drops of water and Roman Chamomile Hydrolat.
- Now soak a cloth in it and squeeze the liquid.
- Place the cloth on the eye for 10 minutes.
- Turn the cloth over and put on the eyes for 10 minutes again.
Repeat this daily to get better results.
Read Also:
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- 5 Essential Oils for Tendonitis: Recipes for Essential Oils for Tendonitis
- Essential Oils for Mononucleosis: Recognize Mono Symptoms
- Essential Oils for Ingrown Toenail: How to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
How to Use Essential Oils for Pink Eye
To use essential oils and hydrolats to treat pinkeye, it’s important that you do not put the oil directly into your eye as it may cause burning and irritation.
When using tea tree or lavender oils, you can create a mixture that is made of one drop of essential oil and one teaspoon of carrier oil—for example, coconut oil. Stir the oils well and dip a clean cotton swab into the mixture.
Using the swab, apply the oils to the area around your eye, being sure to avoid direct contact with your eyeball. Leave the mixture on for approximately 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off carefully with warm water.
To use the roman chamomile hydrolat to treat your pink eye, combine one drop of the oil in six teaspoons of lukewarm water, then take a clean cloth and soak it in the mixture.
Wring as much moisture out of the cloth as possible and place it over your closed eyes for ten minutes. Flip the cloth over and leave it on your eyes for an additional ten minutes, being cautious that none of the mixture drips into your eyes.
Tips to Prevent Pink Eye
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soaps.
- Do not share your cosmetic or eye drops with others.
- Apply oils with the help of cotton or tissues.
- Do not touch your pink eye.
- After touching the pink eye area wash your hands quickly.
- Wash the clothes, pillowcase, towel, and sheets of the affected person separately.
- Cover your eyes with shades, if you are affected with pink eye.
- Do not use a cold or warm compress more than once.
- The only way to use these essential oils for pink eye is to diffuse them in water vapor. You can add them to a humidifier.
FAQs
1. Are Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis Contagious?
Pink eyes generally occur due to virus or bacteria. It is contagious and can quickly spread from person to person. The infection causes red or bloodshot eyes that also caused due to allergies.
2. How Much Time It Take To Clear Up Conjunctivitis?
It takes ten days to heal the infection or clear up the bacteria. It takes two to four weeks to clear up without any treatment or medication.
3. Will Pink Eye Goes Away on Its Own?
Viral Conjunctivitis is a type of virus that clears on its own in few days without medical treatment. No doubt it is contagious but can get treated with natural remedies at home. In the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, it needs medical treatment. It can cause severe damage to the eye if not treated on time.
Final Word
The next time you or a member of your family contracts the dreaded pink eye, bring out any (or all) of these essential oils for pink eye. They’ll help alleviate the symptoms and clear the infection up faster than you can say, “back to work!”
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