6 Home Herbal Remedies for Eye Infection

by Abbas Jahangir · August 31, 2021

If you notice a slight pain, swelling, itching or redness in your eye, you may have an infection. Don’t worry, eye infections are not difficult to diagnose and can be cured quickly with a variety of treatments. The causes of infection are very diverse and include different treatment methods. In this article, we have compiled all the information for you!

What is an Eye Infection?

Eye infections are eye conditions caused by bacterial, viral or other microbiological agents. There are many different types of eye infections with different causes and treatments. Some are very common, while others occur rarely.

Doctors normally start procedures to treat the infected or inflamed part of the eye first.
For example, conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane of the inner eyelid and the inner corner of the surface of the eye).
Other possible sites of inflammation include the eyelid (blepharitis), cornea (keratitis), fluid inside the eye (vitreus), the retina and the blood vessels that feed it (chorioretinitis), or the optic nerve (neuroretinitis).
The most common eye infection is conjunctivitis caused by an adenovirus (a type of common cold virus) and is more common in children.

What Is Good For Eye Infection? 6 Herbal Remedies at Home

1) Tea

Eye infection tea dressing is a method known and used by most people.
Tea leaves carry many anti-bacterial properties that can help heal an eye infection.
It helps to reduce redness and reduce swelling in the eye.
Use black tea for best results.
To apply this method, soak the black tea bag in hot water for a few minutes.
Take it out of the water, let it cool for 5-10 minutes, then apply it to the affected area.

2) Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea can be used as an eyewash to provide relief in case of eye infection.
Boil the chamomile tea you bought from the herbalist in hot water for 5 minutes and wait for it to come to room temperature.
Then apply it to the infected area with a clean cotton ball or make an eyewash.
However, if you experience any irritation or discomfort, discontinue and rinse your eyes with warm water.

3) Flaxseed

Among the herbal remedies for eye infection, flaxseed is also an effective plant.
Flaxseed can be used to reduce the feeling of itching in the eyes, as well as help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
To use this method, boil a glass of water and then add a tablespoon of flaxseed to the water.
After waiting for 10-15 minutes, apply the mixture to the infected area with the help of a clean cotton ball. You can repeat this process 2 times a day.

4) Turmeric

Turmeric is a well-known herb in Ayurvedic therapy and is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties.
To cure your eye infection, mix 2 tablespoons of powdered turmeric into boiling water and let it cool.
Apply to the affected areas with the help of a dry and clean cloth or cotton ball.

5) Mallow

Another treatment method that can be applied is a cure prepared by İbrahim Saraçoğlu for eyelash root inflammation.
Herbal treatment for eye infection The only ingredient you need for Ibrahim Saracoglu cure is the hibiscus plant, which you can buy from herbalists.
For this method, put 2 teaspoons of hibiscus in a glass of hot water and boil it on low heat for about 5 minutes.
Strain the mixture after it is warm and apply it to your eyelashes with the help of a cotton ball.
Repeat daily for one week and every other day for the second week.
These treatment methods, which can be done at home, should be applied after the approval of the doctor and medical help should be sought when an undesirable situation is observed.

6) Green Tea

One of the natural methods to be preferred in case of eye infection is green tea application.
The antioxidant substances in green tea help to clean the bacteria that form in the eye.
Take a bag of green tea and brew it in hot water. Then put the bag on a separate plate and wait for it to cool.
Place the bag that exceeds the temperature in the eye in which the infection occurred.
It is important that the tea is warm, even very close to cold.
Leave it on your eyes for 10 minutes and then wash your eyes with lukewarm water.
Since green tea renews and cleans the skin, it also accelerates the cleaning of the infection in the eye.
Moreover, it will easily destroy the dust and microbe hidden in the eyelid.
You can get rid of eye infection in a short time by applying day and night.

What Causes Eye Infection?

Virus or Bacteria: Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by the same type of bacteria that causes streptococcal sore throats and infections. Viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is usually the result of one of the viruses that cause the common cold. Whether caused by bacteria or a virus, it is a highly contagious disease and can be easily spread from one person to another through hand contact.
Allergies: Allergens such as pollen can cause an infection in one or both of your eyes. Allergens encourage your body to create more histamine, which causes inflammation as part of its response to what it thinks is an infection. As a result, allergic conjunctivitis occurs. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually an itchy condition.
Fungus: Fungi or parasites cause creatitis, which infects the cornea. The cornea is the clear layer that covers your pupil and iris. Keratitis means “swelling of the cornea” and is not always contagious. Contact lens wearers and people with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to serious and even vision-threatening infections caused by parasites (akanhamoeba keratitis). Contact lens wearers often need to take special precautions and ensure their lenses are properly looked after and cleaned.
Lack of Hygiene: This situation is usually experienced in sea and pool environments. If the water of the sea you enter in the summer is dirty, an eye infection is inevitable. Pools should also be cleaned well and get full points in terms of hygiene. Otherwise, since there are common areas, the risk of eye infection will be high.

What Are the Symptoms of Eye Infection?

When you become infected, you may have symptoms in one or both eyes. However, the symptoms of eye infection may differ from person to person due to many possible causes. The symptoms a person experiences in general depend on where the infection is, not why it occurs.

Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

redness and itching
Eye discharge (In viral conjunctivitis, the discharge is usually watery or mucous-like. In bacterial conjunctivitis, it may be thick and white, yellow or green.)
Feeling of sand in the eye
Crusting on the eyelid

Common symptoms of keratitis and other frontal eye infections include:

Pain, itching and feeling of having a foreign body in the eye
Photosensitivity (intolerance to bright light)
Redness or presence of small red lines in the whites of the eyes
Yellow pus discharge (a possible sign of bacterial infection)
swelling of the eyelids
Blinking involuntarily (Blepharospasm)

Unfortunately, diseases that damage the retina, the optic nerve, or the blood vessels that feed them are often not painful at all. The primary symptom is usually impaired vision, which can be stopped; but it is irreversible. Therefore, it is very important to have regular eye examinations.

How Many Days Does an Eye Infection Pass?

How long an eye infection lasts depends on what’s causing it:

For example, symptoms of conjunctivitis can last from a few days to a few weeks. If the conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotic eye drops, ointments or oral medications will help kill the bacteria in your eyes.
After starting antibiotics, the symptoms disappear within a few days. However, if it is viral, there is no cure, the symptoms tend to fade after 7 to 10 days.
To relieve discomfort, you should wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with others. You can also apply a clean, warm, wet washcloth to your eyes frequently.
Uveitis usually begins to heal after a few days of treatment.
Types that affect the back of the eye, called posterior uveitis, can last up to several months if it’s caused by an underlying condition.
Bacterial keratitis infection can heal within a few days using eye drops.
Oral antibiotics are often used to treat more serious infections.
If the keratitis is caused by fungi, you will need antifungal eye drops or medication to kill these organisms. This treatment can take weeks, sometimes months.

Is Eye Infection Contagious?

Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or viruses is a highly contagious eye infection and can be passed on through contact.
There is a possibility that the infection will spread even for two weeks after it starts. But allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Uveitis, which is caused by the inflammation of the “uvea” layer in the middle of the eyeball, is not contagious; however, it can be passed on by inheritance.

How Is Eye Infection Treated?

Treatment of eye infections varies according to the type of infection. For example, treatment for conjunctivitis depends on what’s causing it. If it is caused by contact with a chemical irritant, it is likely to go away on its own within a few days.
For a bacterial infection, the use of antibiotics is the most common treatment. Generally, drops are preferred for eye infections in adults. However, for children the ointment may be a better choice because it is easier to apply. With the use of antibiotics, the symptoms will likely begin to disappear within a few days.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment for viral infections.
Your symptoms will likely go away on their own within 7 to 10 days after the virus has run its course. Meanwhile, washing with warm water or using a compress with a cloth dampened with warm water may help relieve your symptoms.
Oral antiviral medications or eye drops can help stop the infection within a few days. But even with treatment, symptoms may recur after a while.
For allergic infections, over-the-counter antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or loratadine provide relief from allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can be taken as eye drops, and anti-inflammatory eye drops may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Besides these, corticosteroid eye drops, antibiotics or ointments are also frequently used in the treatment of other eye infections such as blepharitis and uveitis.