What is Viral Conjunctivitis During Monsoons:Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies

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What is Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis also known as pink eyes is referred as an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent and thin tissue layer which lines the inner surface of the eyelids.

Viral Conjunctivitis

This condition is very common. It may affect both eyes or only one eye. It is a contagious disease that spreads very easily. However, it is a minor infection of an eye, but it may develop into a serious issue, so it should not be taken lightly and requires an immediate action. It flares up commonly during the monsoon season.

What is the Cause of Viral Conjunctivitis

This highly contagious eye disease easily spreads through not only by contact but also by being around an infected person as it is an airborne disease. It also spreads by touching the objects that have been touched by infected a person just after wiping their eyes. A viral conjunctivitis is caused due to a viral infection. However, conjunctivitis may also occur due to bacterial infection, allergens and irritants like pollen, chlorine, smoke or some cosmetic ingredients.

Cause of Viral Conjunctivitis

What are the Symptoms of Viral Conjunctivitis

The most common symptom of viral conjunctivitis is red and inflamed eyes. There is burning and itching along gritty sensation in the eyes. The infection first starts in any one eye, but spreads very fast to the other eye also. The discharge from the eyes is profuse, watery and may be white or yellow-green in color. There is sensitivity to light.

Crusting of the lashes and eyelids are common, especially in the morning. There may be swelling and redness of the eyelids. Upper respiratory tract symptoms such as a runny nose, common cold and blocked nose may also accompany eye symptoms. The infection usually lasts for a week or so. On 3rd to 5th-day symptoms of the infection are worse.

Symptoms of Viral Conjunctivitis

What Should you do when you have a Viral Conjunctivitis

First of all visit a doctor. Do not try to self-medicate.

Due to the sensitivity towards the light, you must be compelled to wear shades, but do remember not to share it with others. After your infection, subsidies do wash it or sterilize it using a sanitizer before using it again. Wearing sunglasses also limit the contact of your eyes and your fingers to some extent.

when you have a Viral Conjunctivitis

It is your responsibility to care not to do anything that enhances the spreading of the infection.

Stay inside and take rest as much as possible. Avoid public places. Wash your hands frequently with the hand your wash. You may also use sanitizer for this purpose. Use tissues to wipe your eyes and then make sure to dispose of them in dustbins. Do not share towels and other toiletries such as soap with other family members. In fact, it is better that until the infection subsides, use different bathrooms and after that properly disinfect the wash area. Keep your personal belongings such as a pillow, mattress, blankets and other belongings separate. After the infection subsides, they should be washed thoroughly and dried in the sun.

•  Avoid rubbing your eyes
•  Avoid the use of steroid eye drops.
•  If you are wearing a contact lens discontinue wearing it till symptoms ease.
•  Avoid using cosmetics.

What is the Treatment of Viral Conjunctivitis

• Your doctor may prescribe you some anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops. Take care nobody else uses your eye drops and discard it after the use.
• This will provide comfort, and will decrease the infection and inflammation and also prevents the spread of conjunctivitis.
• While dabbing the tears do it gently or it may cause a red spot and hemorrhage.
• To soothe discomfort, apply warm compresses to your eyes. For this soak 2 clean clothes in 2 separate bowls of warm water, strain it and press gently on your closed eyelids. First warm compress one eye and then wash your hands with soap and then warm compress other eye. Discard the water and cotton clothes and clean the bowls.

What are the Home Remedies for Viral Conjunctivitis

Besides warm compress you may try some natural home remedies to ease your symptoms:

1.Rose water- It is soothing thus, is effective in easing the symptoms of viral conjunctivitis. Use organic rose water. You may also prepare it at at home by boil the rose petals (of 3 roses) in a liter of water. Cool it and strain it. Now soak 2 cotton balls with it and keep over your closed eyelids for a few minutes and then discard the cotton balls.

Rose water

2. Honey- Eyewash made from honey is very effecting in treating conjunctivitis. Add a tablespoon of organic honey in a cup of sterilized warm water. Wash your eyes with it 3 times a day.

Honey

3. Boric Powder- Take a tablespoon boric powder and add a teaspoon of sterile water to make a paste. Apply this paste on your closed eyelids and wait for 10 minutes. Rinse off your eyes. Repeat this 3 times a day till the infection subsides.

4. Tea Bags- Take 2 tea bags and steep them in a cup of boiling water. After 15 minutes, remove them from boiling water and keep it in refrigerator. After an hour place them on the close eyelids for 15 minutes and then discard them.

Tea bags

5. Cucumber- Cut 2 slices of cucumber and place them on your eyelids for 10 minutes to soothe your eyes.

You may try above home remedies to soothe your symptoms, but do consult a doctor immediately because if viral conjunctivitis gets doubled with bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms may get worse and may affect cornea causing eye complications.

Cucumber

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