Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an acute eye infection involving the covering of the eyes (conjunctiva) which is characterised by redness, itching, gritty sensation, and watering of the eyes. There may also be a purulent discharge, swelling and sensitivity to light. Conjunctivitis can also be associated with allergies, including hay fever. Regular bathing with warm salt water will often be helpful. Homeopathic remedies will resolve the problem swiftly, and the best homeopathic remedy for you or your child’s eye infection is the one that most closely matches the symptoms you are experiencing.
Here are some of the main remedies which are used in the homeopathic treatment of acute conjunctivitis:
Aconite
Aconite is a remedy which has a marked affinity for the eyes. It is indicated in the early stages of infections, especially where the inflammation comes on suddenly and violently. The eyes feel hot, dry and gritty, and are sensitive to light.
Allium cepa
This remedy is made from red onion, and will help in cases of conjunctivitis where the eyes feel similarly uncomfortable, with smarting, burning and watering. There is an irresistible urge to rub the eyes, and they often appear bloodshot. The eyes are also typically sensitive to light, and the symptoms feel better in open air.
Apis
In cases where Apis will be helpful, there is marked puffy swelling of the eyelids, with burning and stinging pain. The eyes water, and tears feel hot. The whites of the eyes appear bloodshot and swollen (chemosis), and cold applications ease the symptoms.
Dulcamara
Dulcamara is often indicated in head colds that tend to go to the eyes, resulting in acute conjunctivitis. The eyes become red, and there is a typical thick yellow discharge. The symptoms often come on in or are aggravated by damp weather.
Euphrasia
Euphrasia is a remedy made from the herb Eyebright, which has a long history of herbal use for eye conditions. It also has a strong affinity for the eyes in homeopathic use, and is often indicated in acute conjunctivitis, especially where there is stinging and burning of the eyes, with a thick discharge. The eyes often water, and there is sensitivity to light and a dry gritty feeling in the eyes.
Merc sol
In cases which respond to Merc sol, the eyelids are red and swollen with a discharge which is acrid and burning, irritating the eyes. Tears are often profuse, and also burn and irritate. Symptoms are often worse for both heat and cold, and worse at night. Merc sol is often needed in head colds that go to the eyes, where the symptom picture matches.
Nux vomica
Nux vomica is often called for in acute conjunctivitis with bloodshot eyes and intense sensitivity to light, especially where symptoms are worse in the early morning. The eyelids itch and burn, and they feel better for rubbing. Symptoms may be accompanied by twitching and blinking of eyes.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is indicated in acute conjunctivitis where the eyelids are inflamed, and especially where there is thick and profuse yellow discharge. The eyes typically itch and burn, causing rubbing. Symptoms are typically worse in the evening, and in a warm room. It is one of the main remedies for colds that go to the eyes, especially in children, where the symptoms match.
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Hello Karen,
My Grandson who is 19 months old, has conjunctivitis with yellow discharge, watery eyes and has also had a cough which is very chesty and a cold. The mucus from his cold has also turned yellow in colour.
He is a fair skinned, blond haired and a bright blued eyed boy.
Very sociable and most of the time despite his illness is cheerful.
Although his sleep pattern has changed recently, waking during the early hours and often crying and my daughter is up with him for up to two hours.
Hi Janan, thanks for your comment regarding your grandson. If none of the remedies I have listed seem to fit his symptom profile, and especially as there are other concerns alongside the conjunctivitis, it sounds as though it may be advisable to seek professional care for him. That way he can receive a remedy or series of remedies that match well and engage the healing process. You are welcome to contact me for an appointment, or if you prefer consider seeking help from a local prescriber. Best wishes, Karen
What did you end up doing? My daughter has the same symptoms
I am trying to figure out which remedy applies to me, as none really fit completely.
I think I have the flu (slight fever, chills, sore throat, headache, body ache) after all my kids had sinus infection.
We were out on Sunday, and it was extremely windy (well, no wonder it’s called the Windy City), so the next morning I woke up with a bloodshot looking eye, left one only.I get clear tears coming in the morning, but not too much during the day.The eye it’s super red.It does feel a bit uncomfortable, but not itchy or anything else.Which remedy will fit to this description more?
Thank you.
Hi Ann, thanks for your question. There are always a large number of possible remedies for an acute infection, depending on your exact individual presentation of symptoms. If none of the eight example remedies listed fit your symptoms, it may be worth getting some professional input with a short acute appointment – most homeopaths offer this option. This would enable the homeopath to take a more detailed picture and prescribe accurately for you. Looking just at the aetiology of your acute symptoms (exposure to cold wind) it may be worth trying Aconite first, but if this doesn’t create a significant improvement I recommend you consult a homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
I am trying to figure out which remedy best applies, I was sick with the flu back in January and then again had some sort of cold very similar but shorter just 2 weeks ago, then had my first ever uti last week and now woke up this morning to pink eye. I read another blog that suggested pulsatilla for pink eye that presents after an illness but the only symptom I have not really had is the burning. Definitely some yellow/green discharge and itching/redness/swollen. And yes I’m aware that my body seems to be crying out for help, I’m just not entirely sure what it needs
Hi Lauren, it sounds as though there is quite a lot going on for you at the moment. In this situation, I would recommend you seek professional support for a good remedy match – perhaps initially for the acute symptoms, but I would also recommend seeking support for your long term chronic health picture too. Wishing you a good recovery. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen , my eyelid is swelled and I’m feeling itching in the corner of my eye .
I wanted to use pulsatilla , so can you tell me how to use it .
Hi Zaheen, if you have not used homeopathy before, it is important to learn a little about dosing at the outset, because it is very different from pharmaceutical dosing. The first thing is the principle of the minimum dose – you are aiming to stimulate the body with the tiniest amount of the medicine needed to make a change. 30c is a useful home treatment potency. You can try one dose of 30c every couple of hours for up to 3 doses. Stop on improvement and wait, only repeating with one dose if symptoms return. If no change after three doses, reconsider remedies. If at any point there is cause for concern, seek professional help as you usually would. If you are in UK you can obtain remedies and also brief advice from Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy. Best wishes, Karen
I used to rely on the Similisan brand pink eye drops for seasonal eye irritation, mild to severe. The US FDA has forced discontinuation of homeopathic eye drops and I can no longer find them anywhere. I have Euphrasia Officianalis pellets I can use for as long as they are allowed but it just isn’t the same instant relief. Do you have any suggestions for people in the US with limited options?
Hi Lisa, it looks as though this branded product contains two different remedies, whcih could be obtained separately. However, while I am glad to hear the drops have been providing you with instant relief, relying on them longer term means you are managing the symptoms rather than healing them properly. I recommend you seek professional support, which could help you to resolve the chronic condition. Best wishes, Karen
Please check canadian websites. Not banned rhere
Hello, for the past 2-3 days I’ve woke up with yellow discharge around my eyes and they were red and irritated. I have been using eye drops through the day to help with the irritation. I am also congested and my throat has been sore on and off for a few days. What are the best home remedies you recommend?
Hi Philip, thanks for your question. This post is intended to give you some information about the main homeopathic remedies for conjunctivitis. If none of these remedies fit your symptoms, you would do well to see a homeopath for a more detailed acute consult – this way you will likely find a better remedy match. Best wishes, Karen
My son woke up with an intense red eye. I used the usual remedies that have worked for him in the past (Euphrasia, Hepar Sulph, Pulsatilla, Belladonna) and even put diluted Euphrasia drops in his eye but none of these worked. I was pretty worried. Then I came across your page and had Dulcamara 6x on hand, so I tried that. I gave him 3 doses through the day, his eye was less red. He went to bed and in the morning, the red eye was gone! Thank you!
Hi Katie, fabulous news! So glad you matched a useful remedy for your son, well done :). Best wishes, Karen
I am trying to figure out which remedy will work best for my son. His symptoms are all over the place. Started 3 days ago with his gums bothering him and it appeared he had canker sores. Those have passed and the next day he was complaining of his eye hurting him, just one. Thought maybe it was a headache behind the eye. Then we woke in the middle of the night last night with a sore throat and a low grade fever. He’s had the low grade fever most of the day and in between doses of merc sol (for his sore throat) he complains of it bothering him. Just this evening he’s been saying his eyes are burning him. He’s fallen asleep with cold compress now but was just up screaming. Throughout the day I’ve given him oscillococcinum for flu like symptoms, merc sol for sore throat, belladonna for fever and head ache, and then elderberry to support immune system. Did take him to an urgent care earlier today to have him tested for strep and that was negative. Doctor said his left ear and left side of the back of his throat is red. Sorry for all the information but I wanted you to take into account what’s been going on the last few days.
Hi Lauren, thanks for your question. When treating an acute illness, especially where the picture is changing frequently, a homeopath would often recommend a series of remedies according to the changing picture, and you would do best to work with a homeopath if the symptom picture is like this. It is unlikely to resolve with one remedy alone. There are acute treatment services available online – eg in the US Homeopathy Help Now are good. I hope your son feels better soon. Best wishes, Karen
Hello Karen, I went to the sauna yesterday and there were water plunges and showers.
I used only shower but water drop went to my eye. And i ft slighlty burn. Not much for the rest of the day but again now in the morning. Would you recomend a ramendy?
Hi Lenka, it is hard to know what the underlying cause of this might be, without further information. You might try either Aconite – a great remedy for trauma to the eye, or Euphrasia (also known as eyebright) which has a strong relationship to the eyes and is nourishing and supportive. Either can be used sparingly in low potency quite safely. Best wishes, Karen
My grandson has one bloodshot eye with slightly swollen eyelid. It’s not bothering him at all. I’ve been giving him pulsatilla but as there’s no discharge from the eye I’m not sure it’s the right one. Any alternative please?
Hi Clarissa, the choice of remedy will depend on the whole picture – for example, are there any causative factors – what brought this on? Upper or lower lid swollen? Is the eye watering? If there are really no other symptoms or any cause for concern, you could try Euphrasia (Eyebright) in low potency. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
Two weeks ago I had flu symptoms for a couple days. I recovered and then a week and a half later I lost my voice and I still have a terrible cough and can’t talk very well. The night before last I realized my eye was bloodshot and I immediately put ASEA gel in both eyes and went to bed. Normally this clears it up. But my eye even still (after many applications plus colloidal silver also) is swollen and bloodshot. My other eye is beginning to get red as well even though I have been treating it. Is there a remedy you recommend?
Hi Christy, thanks for your question. There are a large number of possible remedies for swollen bloodshot eyes, and the choice of a suitable remedy depends on the exact pain sensation and modalities (ie factors or circumstances that ease or set off the symptoms). For context, it is also worth confirming whether it is actually an eye infection, or caused by an allergy or irritant – this will also guide remedy choice. AS a general supportive measure you can make a Euphrasia (Eyebright) lotion for bathing the eyes, with 3 drops tincture to one tablespoon of cool boiled water. Best wishes, Karen