If your eyes are itching a lot, have been reddish for a while, and causing irritation, the reason behind these could be eye flu or conjunctivitis. According to a report, Conjunctivitis is more common in spring and summer and affects 15 to 40% of the population.
Eye flu can be caused by various viruses and can even lead to temporary vision loss. The problem is highly contagious, and there could be various methods you can try to protect yourself and others from it.
This write-up will provide you with all the information you need about conjunctivitis and how to deal with it. So, let’s start with – what is eye flu?
What is Eye Flu?
Eye flu, conjunctivitis, or pink eye is the inflammation of the Conjunctiva,
which is the membrane that covers the eye’s white part and the eyelid inside. Your eyes appear pinkish red due to the infection, and finding the cure should be your top priority before the situation gets worse.
What Are the Symptoms of Eye Flu?
The eye flu symptoms vary from person to person. However, you must stay alert for the following signs of infection:
- Redness of the inner eyelid and some portion of the Sclera (white part of the eye).
- Teary eyes.
- Constant itching in eyes.
- Burning sensation in eyes.
- Formation of thick yellow discharge over the eyelashes.
- Blurry vision.
If you somehow experience any of the eye flu symptoms mentioned above, you must immediately consult a doctor.
What Causes Eye Flu?
As mentioned earlier, the main reasons for eye flu are some viruses and bacteria. However, if you don’t maintain hygiene it can lead to several bacterial and fungal infections, eye flu being one of them.
Nevertheless, conjunctivitis can be non-infectious, and the allergens present in the air could be the common eye flu causes. These allergens are dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, etc.
Also, if you wear contact lenses and are a bit careless about their usage, you can get the infection too. It happens when you wear contact lenses for a very long time and don’t keep them clean.
In addition, eye flu can also affect newborns if the mother is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Treatment of Eye Flu
If you’re suffering from conjunctivitis or are sure about the eye flu symptoms, you can try a combination of medications for the cure of pink eye.
- The most effective eye flu treatment is using lubricating eye drops for conjunctivitis that keep your eyes moist and reduce inflammation due to dryness.
- Conjunctivitis won’t be a serious problem if the person affected seeks immediate medical attention and uses eye drops. However, when it comes to children, you must use specified ointments.
- Consulting a doctor is always a solution if it’s a case of a bacterial eye infection, antibiotic ointment, or drops as prescribed.
So, these are a few effective eye flu treatments that can provide you relief from eye flu.
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Home Remedies for Eye Flu
You can easily manage conjunctivitis at home by trying these remedies:
- Honey has antibacterial properties, so you can mix 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of water and use it to wash your eyes. It will provide relief from pain and irritation.
- Rose water can also help in getting rid of conjunctivitis, as it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Just put two drops of rose water in each eye and it will provide instant relief.
- Potatoes also have cooling effects and can work efficiently to reduce eye irritation. Cut a potato into slices and place two of them on both of your eyes for about fifteen minutes before you sleep.
- Turmeric is known for its medicinal uses, as it is full of antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. So, to prevent eye infection, take a pinch of turmeric and mix it into lukewarm water. Then, soak cotton into it and use it to wipe your eyes to get rid of all dirt and infection.
Moreover, you can manage eye flu at home by compressing the infected eye with a clean cloth soaked in warm or cold water. Observe the infected eye for a few days and decide if you need medical assistance or not.
Do You Need Medical Assistance for Eye Flu?
Conjunctivitis can be cured by taking common eye flu medicines, home remedies, and being cautious. So, it raises the question – do you need medical assistance for this problem?
Below are a few reasons why you must visit a doctor:
- Eye flu is not that serious, but it can get worse if you avoid it or act carelessly. So, it is best to search for the “best eye doctor near me” and visit the doctor when the symptoms persist or get worse over time.
- Another reason to visit a doctor in case of eye flu is if you develop additional symptoms like fever. Suffering from a fever due to an eye infection means the infection is spreading and affecting other parts of the body.
- If contact lenses are the reason behind conjunctivitis, you must type “best eye specialist near me” on Google and immediately consult a professional. This is because contact lens wearers can develop more serious complications due to any eye infection.
So, eye flu is not a serious problem, but if you’re experiencing any additional symptoms or unbearable discomfort, seeking medical help is necessary.
Final Words – Prevention is Better than Cure!
Prevention of eye flu is the best remedy that keeps you away from all types of complications. Maintaining the utmost hygiene would be enough to keep this infection at bay. Hence, you must avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands that may spread the bacteria.
In addition, you must avoid sharing personal items like towels, makeup brushes, and contact lenses. Maintaining personal hygiene is essential, but you must also keep your surroundings clean as well. So, maintaining hygiene plays a vital part in keeping you safe from eye flew and even preventing it from spreading. As conjunctivitis is contagious, you must look for the “best eye hospital near me” on Google and get your eye treated.
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FAQs
Ans: Eye flu or conjunctivitis may last for a week or two if you try some home remedies to get rid of the infection.
Ans: The fastest way to cure an eye infection or flu would be to consult a doctor and use the prescribed eye drops.
Ans: If viral conjunctivitis is behind the cause of eye flu, you can have symptoms like a cold, sore throat, runny nose, and fever. In that case, seeking medical assistance would be the best option.
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