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Conjunctivitis - Symptoms, Home Remedies and Treatment

Definition

Conjunctivitis is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. This illness often affects newborns. It is transmitted to the eye at birth or by fingers and occasionally by the water in swimming pools, poorly chlorinated hot tubs, or by sharing makeup. It is Also called swimming pool conjunctivitis.

Causes

There are different types of causes of conjunctivitis are present in human beings which are given bellows-
In newborns it is Chlamydial Conjunctivitis, Gonorrheal Conjunctivitis and Viral Conjunctivitis.
In Children it is Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Haemophilus Influenzae, Staphylococcus species, and Moraxella species.
And in adults it is Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, Moraxella species, Gonorrheal Conjunctivitis (Neisseria Gonorrhea).

Symptoms

Patients with bacterial conjunctival infections typically present with injection of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva and a papillary response on the superior palpebral conjunctiva. The infection often starts in one eye and may spread to the other.Individuals with conjunctivitis may be contagious as long as symptoms persist or the eye appears abnormal. Risk of conjunctivitis is increases with use of contact lenses, and touching/rubbing the eyes without handwashing first.
Conjunctivitis causes the following symptoms in one or both eyes.
Redness
Itching
Tearing
Discharge (watery or thick)
Crust that forms overnight
Sensitivity to light
Gritty feeling

Treatment

Treatment in the newborn consists of administration of tetracycline ointment to the conjunctiva and erythromycin orally or through intravenous therapy for fourteen days. The mother should be treated for cervicitis and the father for urethritis, even if they do not have symptoms of these diseases.
In adults, tetracycline ointment or drops should be applied to the conjunctiva and oral tetracycline, amoxacillin, or erythromycin should be taken for three weeks, or doxycycline for one week.
People with conjunctivitis should gently wash the eyelid with tap water and a clean washcloth to keep it clean and free of discharge. Patients should have weekly checkups so the doctor can monitor the healing.

Home remedies for Conjunctivitis

The juice of die Indian gooseberry, mixed with honey, is useful home remedy for conjunctivitis. A cup of this juice should be taken mixed with two teaspoons of honey twice daily in treating this condition.
Eat foods rich in vitamin A and B2 like curd, butter, whole milk, pumpkin, almonds, tomatoes etc.