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Conjunctivitis is caused by a number of different things, and this condition may also be called “pink eye” because of the redness and irritation present in your eye. One cause can be a bacterial infection in your eye, and viruses may also cause this condition. A third cause is allergies, and determining the cause is important so that the right treatment methods are used. There are two forms of treatment for this condition, and these are home remedies and prescription medications. Both forms of treatment options have benefits and drawbacks, and knowing what these are can help you make an informed decision about the best treatment in your specific case.

Home remedies for conjunctivitis can usually be very effective at relieving the symptoms and providing comfort to the affected eye. One of the best treatments in the home remedy section is to apply a warm compress to the affected eye and leave it on for ten minutes. The soothing warmth will decrease any irritation and inflammation, and this can also help ease any pain that you may have as well. In some cases you may notice a crust or gunk that oozes from your eye and sticks to your eyelids, and a warm compress will also help soften and remove this painlessly. Eye drops which are similar to your natural tears can also help soothe and treat any discomfort or dryness caused by the irritation. These drops can be purchased without a prescription and do not contain any medications.

Medication for conjunctivitis will depend on the specific cause of the condition. If your “pink eye” condition is caused by a bacterial infection in that case you may be prescribed drops or an optical ointment that has an antibiotic included. If the cause of the problem is a viral infection, then most of the time prescription medication will not work. If the cause is a herpes virus then you may be given antiviral drugs to minimize any symptoms and speed up your recovery. Your pink eye may also be caused by allergies, and if this is the case you may receive one of many medications. Steroids, decongestants, anti-inflammatory drugs, mast cell stabilizers, and antihistamines may all be used in optical drops or ointments to treat this condition.

Another factor when comparing home remedies and prescription medications for conjunctivitis is the cost involved. Home remedies cost little and no trip to the doctor is required, while a prescription medication involves the expense of an office visit as well as the cost of the drugs. Home remedies also do not have the same risk for side effects that medications do, and are usually safer while being just as effective. Some cases of pink eye may be caused by a severe infection which can threaten your sight or even your life, and if home remedies do not work and the problem persists you should be evaluated by a physician to prevent any serious complications or permanent damage. In most cases you can use home remedies to treat this condition without any problems though, and save a significant amount of time and money in the process.