Some of the effective home remedies for conjunctivitis in kids includes mother’s milk, tea bag remedy, turmeric compress, raw potato, raw honey, aloe vera remedy, to name a few

Conjunctivitis, also referred as pinkeye, is usually the inflammation of the conjunctiva. The condition can be alarming as it causes redness in the eyes and spreads quite fast. However, it does not cause any damage to the vision. Newborns are especially at higher risk of contracting pink eye and can develop more serious complications if not treated at the right time. A mother who has an STD, can pass the virus or bacteria to the baby during delivery.

Conjunctivitis can be a result of viruses and bacteria that also cause colds and other similar infections. Another cause of conjunctivitis in children can be an allergic reaction. Sometimes, it can result from an irritant substance in the environment, like chlorine, soaps, or air pollutants.

Home Remedies for Conjunctivitis in Children

If your child has conjunctivitis, it can be quite challenging to make him tolerate eye drops numerous times a day. For this reason, here are some really effective home remedies to treat conjunctivitis in children.

Mother’s Milk

According to Ayurveda, the best way to heal conjunctivitis in young children is to place a drop of mother’s milk in the eye. If the mother is still lactating, and her child gets conjunctivitis, with irritation and discharge from the eye, just one drop of her milk may heal it.  

It is not uncommon to find small infants afflicted with conjunctivitis. While this can break your heart, it is treatable. If you are still nursing your baby, use 2-3 drops of breast milk to treat the infection. Breast milk has Immunoglobin A that will prevent the bacteria that causes pink eye from attaching itself to the mucosal surface of the eye. This in turn limits the infection. You will be surprised that this remedy really works!

Read More: Pink Eye in Babies: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Tea Bag Remedy

This is one of the most important and effective natural home remedies to treat conjunctivitis in children. Steep a black tea bag in lukewarm water. Place it over the infected eye for about half an hour. Repeating this home treatment at hourly intervals can help a lot to get relief from symptoms like inflammation. You can read your child a book, or engage her in a verbal exercise while she allows the teabags to work its magic. This is a safe remedy and can be used without any apprehensions even on a young child.

Read more: 11 Awesome Herbal Teas for Children

Raw Honey Remedy

Raw honey has been considered as an effective antibiotic. It is also known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. If your child is suffering from conjunctivitis or pink eye, make sure to give your child 2-3 teaspoons of raw honey daily. This will enable the body to fight infections faster and more effectively.

Read more: Health Benefits of Honey for Children

Coffee Remedy

Coffee is another helpful ingredient for conjunctivitis. In fact this remedy has been used since time immemorial to treat not just conjunctivitis but also other conditions like diabetes and alleviating muscle soreness.

How to use: To apply, boil a few pinches of coffee in a small quantity of water. Allow it to cool. Use this brewed coffee to rinse the eye four times a day to get relief from conjunctivitis.  Remember to dilute the concoction before making your child rinse her eyes.

Raw Potato Remedy

Potatoes are a sure shot way of treating conjunctivitis. All you need is a few slices to ease the irritation and pain that your child is going through. Place a slice of raw potato over the affected eye and let it work its magic. Potato is a natural astringent and can cure conjunctivitis in merely three days! This remedy not only reduces inflammation but also soothes the eyes.

Read more: Health Benefits of Potato for Babies

Sea Salt Remedy

Sea salt has recently gained high popularity as an effective cure for conjunctivitis. Try to rinse the affected eye with a concentrated solution prepared with sea salt and warm water. Alternatively, use a cotton ball damped with warm salt water solution to relieve conjunctivitis condition.

Turmeric Remedy

Turmeric is known for its antibiotic properties and used to treat myriad health and skin conditions. It is also a natural steroid and hence helps alleviate the pain associated with pink eye. What’s more? It is safer than most over the counter drops, and can be safely administered to a young child.

How to use: Mix 2tbsp of turmeric powder to a cup of boiled water. Immerse a clean handkerchief into the solution and let it dry. Then use it to mop the affected eyes. The natural antiseptic, antibiotic properties of the turmeric will help take care of the bacteria and facilitate healing

Read more: Health Benefits of Turmeric for Children

Warm/Cold Compress Remedy

In case of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, apply a warm compress. Take a clean cloth damped in lukewarm water. Press it gently over the infected eye to reduce swelling. Cold compress, on the other hand, will help in treating an infection caused from an allergy. Make sure to use a different cloth for each eye to ensure the infection doesn’t spread.

Aloe Vera To the Rescue

Aloe needs no introduction, or does it? This wonder bestowed upon us by nature can come in handy in case your child is affected with conjunctivitis. Like you already may know, aloe is gentle and has no side effects whatsoever and hence can be used to treat conjunctivitis in children.

How to use: Extract fresh aloe and use it as an eye wash. Alternatively, you can also soak a clean washcloth in aloe juice and use it as a compress for relief from symptoms associated with conjunctivitis. Aloe will also help reduce the itching and inflammation that is often accompanied with the infection.

Babul

Acacia, popularly known as Babul, have medicinal virtues. The leaves of the are useful in arresting secretion and bleeding. 

How to use: Ground the leaves of Babul tree to a paste and apply it on the affected eyes at night. Support it with bandage which should be untied the next morning. This removes pain and redness.

Parsley

Parsley is rich in ascorbic acid and hence a good blood cleanser. Raw Parsley juice, mixed with carrot juice, is effective in all ailments connected to the eyes and the optic nerve. It is good for weak eyes, cataract and conjunctivitis. 

Read More: Health Benefits of Parsley for Babies

Precautions to be taken during Conjunctivitis infection in children

If your child wears contact lenses and is attacked with conjunctivitis, it is advised to stop the use of lenses till the infection abates. Even after the symptoms of conjunctivitis are gone, clean the lenses carefully before letting your child put them on. This is to make sure that the lenses and the storage case are disinfected. Clean them at least twice before your child uses them again. In case of disposable contact lenses, it is better to discard the current pair and use a new one.

These remedies are helpful only in case of conjunctivitis with mild symptoms. If you notice symptoms like extreme redness, swelling, and tenderness in the eyelids, accompanied with fever, it is better to consult a doctor at the earliest. These symptoms can be an indication that the infection has spread beyond the conjunctiva and further treatment is required.