A Complete Guide to Bacterial Pink Eye Treatments
Bacterial pink eye is an infection in the conjunctiva of the eye.
Condition is not severe and mostly resolves in a week or two.
However, you can seek medical care to reduce the recovery time. These treatments also aid in reducing the symptoms.
It is a fairly common condition.
Research published on PubMed says that bacterial pink eye is the second most common cause of Conjunctivitis.
This article will focus on the bacterial pink eye treatments that help reduce the symptoms and discomfort caused by it.
Antibiotic for bacterial pink eye treatments
Antibiotics are used to treat infection from bacteria.
They work by inhibiting growth or by killing these bacteria.
In most cases, bacterial pink eye can get better without antibiotic treatments. However, symptoms may take one to two weeks to completely disappear.
Antibiotics can help shorten the duration of the infection, improving the condition in two to five days.
With antibiotic eye drops or ointments, eye irritation, redness, and discharge should start to improve within one or two days.
Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops to relieve the symptoms.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| Locula Eye Drop | $15.40 |
| Besix Eye Drop | $14.90 |
| Milflox | $2.93 |
| Toba Eye Drop | $9.96 |
How to use eye drops
You can follow these steps to use eye drops properly:
- Tilt your head back
- Pull your lower eyelid away using one hand from your eyeball to make a pocket for the drops
- Hold the eye drop tip above your eye pocket
- Squeeze the prescribed amount of drops into the pocket
- Close your eyes for one or two minutes while lightly touching your tear ducts. This is to keep eyedrops from draining from your eyes
Natural treatments
You can do some simple things at home to ease your bacterial infection.
While these remedies help reduce discomfort, talking with your doctor before trying them is best.
Also Read: You can go through the article Pink Eye Home Remedies
Cold or warm compresses
Compresses can provide relief from irritating and burning eyes.
Cold compresses or artificial tears can soothe your eyes from burning and inflammation.
You can use a warm compress to help clean the mucus discharge or eyelid crusting.
How to use warm compresses
To remove the sticky crust from your eyes, you can take the following steps:
- Place a warm compress or washcloth on your closed eyes for a few minutes
- Wipe the eyelid starting from the nose side to the outer corner
- Use the washcloth only once. Use a different compress for each eye
- You can do this before taking eyedrops or ointments
Discharge may build up while you are sleeping. In such cases, do not try to pull the crust developed on your eyelids or eyelashes.
Saltwater
Saltwater, or saline solution, has same properties as tears.
It has antimicrobial properties, and you can use them to clean infected eyes.
You can use salt water for regular eyelid cleaning to remove the discharge or other medication.
Tea bags
Tea bags work the same as a cold compress.
They have anti-inflammatory properties.
They can help relax your eyes and reduce the irritation and itchiness caused by the infection.
Several studies suggest that green tea, black tea, or chamomile tea can help effectively to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Preventions
Regular eye care is the best way to prevent eye infections.
Your eye makeup products can harbor bacteria.
According to a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. David Lortscher, depending on the ingredients used in the products, these germs can last as long as you own them.
Thus, discard the products after you have been infected.
You can add some preventive measures in your daily life to reduce the chances of infections:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Avoid touching your eyes frequently, especially when you are outside
- If you are using contact lenses, clean them regularly
Takeaway
While most bacterial eye infections do not need treatment, a doctor may prescribe you antibiotics for faster recovery.
You can try some natural remedies to soothe the symptoms.
It is important to take the doctorâs advice before trying natural treatments.
Although bacterial pink eye is not a serious problem, it can be unpleasant. Keeping a healthy routine can help prevent the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to cure bacterial pink eye?
You can take prescription-based antibiotics to shorten the duration of infection. Antibiotics are taken topically and are usually prescribed if you have severe symptoms like a discharge. Your symptoms will begin reducing in one to two days after taking them.
Can you get rid of the bacterial pink eye without antibiotics?
Yes. Most cases of bacterial eye infections resolve by themselves in one to two weeks. You do not need antibiotics to get rid of bacterial pink eye. Antibiotics are prescribed to relieve the symptoms and shorten the length of the infection.
How do you treat a bacterial eye infection naturally?
Bacterial eye infection resolves naturally in one to two weeks. However, you can try some natural remedies such as salt water, compresses, or tea bags to relieve itchiness and inflammation.
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