Conjunctivitis

Also known as pink eye or sticky eye.

Very contagious: spreads via the discharge which can glue eyes shut during sleep.

Caused by bacterial or viral infection of conjunctiva of the eye (the lining that covers the eyeball). Babies' eyes can become sticky from a blocked tear duct.

Allergic conjunctivitis may follow reaction to pollen, dust or chlorine in swimming pools. Eye symptoms are common with hay fever (e.g. redness, itching, weeping).

Eye may become red and itchy and weepy.

A sticky eye will often clear up with external bathing alone: use cool boiled water or freshly expressed breast milk. Bathe 3-4 times a day.

Always wipe a sticky eye from the inner corner of the eye to the outer; and use a separate piece of gauze or cotton wool for each eye.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies can easily treat conjunctivitis and blocked tear ducts. Use remedies in 6c or 30c potency, taking one dose every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days. Seek professional homeopathic advice if symptoms do not clear in 24-48 hours.

Aconite

• This is the first remedy to think of for conjunctivitis and is best used in the first 24 hours of the eye inflammation, especially if symptoms occur after exposure to cold dry wind.

Pulsatilla

• MAIN remedy for conjunctivitis where there is redness of conjunctiva; yellow or green discharge; blocked tear ducts in babies (especially if child is weepy and better for cuddles).
• The child may be thirstless.

Apis

• Main remedy for allergic reactions with swelling and puffiness of eyelids.
• There may be redness and stinging pains.

Euphrasia

• This remedy is also known as "Eyebright" and has a special affinity to eyes.
• Can use as a tincture (2 drops in water to bathe eyes) or as a pill.
• Burning redness and tears with constant need to blink.
• Bathe the eyes one at a time using a clean piece of cotton wool for each eye.

Calendula

• Helps with healing, especially after any trauma to the eye (e.g. a scratch to the cornea).

Mercury

• Use this remedy where there is: green pus from eyes (especially on the RIGHT side); redness of eyelids; the symptoms are worse at night; the child is wakeful and sweaty; lots of saliva; child drools in sleep; possibly smelly breath.

Silica

• This is the main remedy for blocked tear ducts in babies. (Pulsatilla is the acute remedy of Silica.)

Australian Bush Flower Essences

• Sunshine Wattle, Mountain Devil.

The remedies and flower essences mentioned above can be obtained from Helios Pharmacy, Ainsworth's Pharmacy or your local professional homeopath.

STYES

A stye is a bacterial infection on the edge of the eyelid, and looks like a small boil or pimple. It is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. The inflamed spot becomes filled with pus and eventually bursts. Bathe the eye as above with Euphrasia tincture. Herbal Echinacea tincture will boost the immune system.

1. Take Hepar Sulph 6c or 30c if the stye is very painful and sensitive to touch. Repeat the remedy every 2-3 hours as needed until the pain lessens.
2. Take Pulsatilla 6c or 30c if there are only a few symptoms to go on. Pulsatilla follows well after Hepar Sulph.
3. Staphysagria 6c or 30c taken every 3-4 hours can also help where the stye has appeared as the result of suppressed anger.