Conjunctivitis
Synopsis of Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eyeball. This condition leads to redness, itching, swelling, discharge, and sometimes a gritty feeling in the eyes. It can affect one or both eyes and is highly contagious when caused by a virus or bacteria.
There are several forms of conjunctivitis depending on the cause — viral, bacterial, allergic, or irritant-related. While viral conjunctivitis is the most common type (especially in adults), bacterial conjunctivitis is often seen in children. Allergic conjunctivitis results from hypersensitivity reactions to environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
Types of Conjunctivitis:
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Viral Conjunctivitis: Caused by viruses like adenovirus; highly contagious.
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Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
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Allergic Conjunctivitis: Caused by allergens; not contagious.
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Irritant Conjunctivitis: Caused by exposure to chemicals, smoke, or foreign bodies.
Common Causes:
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Viral infections (most common)
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Bacterial infections
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Allergens (pollen, dust, animal dander)
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Irritants (chlorine, smoke, pollution)
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Contact lens wear (especially improper hygiene)
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Eye injury or foreign body exposure
Severity Factors:
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Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are generally mild but highly contagious.
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Severe bacterial infections can damage the cornea if untreated.
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Allergic conjunctivitis can be chronic and highly irritating but is not dangerous to vision.
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Persistent or recurrent conjunctivitis needs medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
When to See a Doctor:
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Eye pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision
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Symptoms lasting more than a week without improvement
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Worsening redness, swelling, or discharge
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If vision becomes impaired
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For infants or individuals with weakened immune systems
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Suspected bacterial conjunctivitis (thick yellow or green discharge)
Natural remedies for Conjunctivitis
Warm compresses: Help relieve viral or bacterial conjunctivitis by promoting drainage.
Cold compresses: Soothe allergic conjunctivitis symptoms like itching and swelling.
Artificial tears: Lubricate the eyes and help flush out irritants.
Strict hygiene: Wash hands often, avoid touching or rubbing eyes, and avoid sharing towels or pillowcases.
Remove contact lenses: Until symptoms fully resolve.
Limit allergen exposure: In cases of allergic conjunctivitis.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Conjunctivitis
Aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
anthocyanins
astaxanthin
beta caryophyllene
beta-carotene
bilberry
black currant
blueberry
cannabis sativa oil
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
hemp oil
honeysuckle
lactoperoxidase
lutein
mixed carotenoids
nettle
niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
phellodendron amurense
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rutin
schizonepeta
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
neem tree
commiphora
swertia
chrysanthemum
trichosanthes
polyphenols
eucalyptus
Ash
Amber
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
Alchornea
Aconite
Artemisia
Andrographis paniculata
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
alpha-carotene
Allyl Sulfide
Astaxanthin
Anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
Artemisia (unspecified)
Aster (unspecified)
Astragalin
Bee Propolis
beta-carotene
Bermuda Grass
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
beta-zeacarotene
Beta-Glucans
Boswellia serrata
Balsam
Bioflavonoid
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Butea monosperma
Bee hive
Bioflavonoids (mixture)
Blue Wiss
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Balsam (unspecified)
Bioflavonoids
Black Seed Oil
Bee products
Black Currant
bilberry
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Caryophyllene
Cannabis
Copaiba balsam
Chrysanthemum maximum
Colloidal Silver
Carotenoid
Chlorophyllin
coconut oil
Colloid
Cryptoxanthin
Chinese Raisintree
Clivers
carotenoids
Carotenoids
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Curcuminoids
Citral
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chrysanthemum (unspecified)
carotenoids
Chalcone
Chinese Club Moss
chrysanthemum
Carotene (unspecified)
Chamomile (unspecified)
Chinese Goldthread
Ceramides
citrus spp.
Cannabichromene
Dianthus
Deoxyandrographolides
Dwarf Bilberry
Echinacea (unspecified)
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eclipta
Eyebright
esters
Ethanol
esters (unspecified)
Flavonoid
Flavonoids
Flavonoid glycosides
Forsythia
Flavonoid (unspecified)
Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Flavonoid (mixture)
Flavonones
Gallic Acid
Gastrodia
Garlic
glycyrrhizic acid
Glechoma hederacea
Goldenseal
Great Plantain
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Honeysuckle
Hydroxycinammic acid
Hedyotis (unspecified)
Hedyotis diffusa
Honey
Honeysuckle (unspecified)
Heal-All
Houttuynia
Himalaya Berry
Immunoglobulin G
Isoquinoline alkaloids
Indian Redwood
Japanese Elder
Japanese Honeysuckle
Kurtha zopfil
Lophatherum
Lutein
Ligustrum
Lysozyme
Lycopodium
Liverwort
Linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mixed Carotenoids
Masson Pine
Metal Salt
Myrrh
Macaranga indica
Nucno Pichana
Neem
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Naphthoquinones
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
Nimbidin
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Oxygen
Oldenlandia
orange pigment
Propolis
phenyl alkyl ketones
Phenolic diterpenes
Pulsatilla
Pentacyclic alkaloids
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Phlorotannins
Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidin
Paris polyphylla
Proanthocyanidin (unspecified)
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Pycnogenol
Phycocyanins
Quercetin
Rutin
Riboflavin (B2)
Rosmarinic Acid
Rosa laevigata
Rose water
Sophora flavescens
Sichuan Fritillary
Stinging Nettle
Streptococcus (mixed)
Stinging Nettle
Sodium Ascorbate
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Silver
Sargassum
Terpenoids
Tannin (unspecified)
Terpene
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tree Peony
Turmeric
Terpenoid (unspecified)
Tulbaghia
Thymus satureioides
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols)
Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A cetate)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocomonoenol)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin E (Gamma Tocotrienol)
Vitamin A (retinol)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl)
Vitamin E
Vitamin A (retinyl not specified)
Vitamin E (beta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (delta tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Vitamin E (beta tocopherol)
Vitamin C (unspecified)
Vitamin C (ascorbic palmitate)
Vitamin E (unspecified tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin A
Vitamin E (gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin A (not specified)
Vitamin A (vitamin A Palmitate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A acetate)
Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols and Tocotrienols)
Vitamin A (mixed)
Violet
Vitamin E (delta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (mixed alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (not specified)
Vitamin E (vitamin E acetate)
Vitamin A (unspecified)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin C
Verbascoside
Vitricin
Vitamin E (delta-tocopherol)
Wasabia japonica
Worm
Xanthophyll
Xanthophyls
Zeaxanthin
Zinc
Zinc
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