Home Remedies for Itchy Eyes and Eye Infections

One of my readers told me her son had really itchy puffy eyes and was wondering if I could help.

Since I struggled with lots of allergies myself (hayfever, itchy eyes and dust mite allergies…), I have always kept my eyes open (pun intended ;-)) for home remedies that could alleviate the constant need to rub your eyes.

Now I’m gonna tell you what worked best for me.  When your immune system is low, you tend to get more allergies. And if you have candida then chances are you do get itchy at times.

So how do your eyes feel?

Do you have any of these symptoms:

•   Tired
• red and irritable
• swollen, puffy eyelid(s)
• feeling as if there’s a sand corn or something in it
• inflammation with whitish discharge gathering in the corner of your eye?

I know these symptoms only to well.

They are insanely uncomfortable of course. Particularly if they are accompanied with a big swelling.

In two instances my eyes were actually so puffy that I looked as if somebody had punched me in the face. I was totally freaked out, and didn’t want to leave the house.

Here’s a photo of me when I had a candida related eye infection. This was day 2 or 3 – Forgive me for not taking the photo when it was still so swollen that I couldn’t open it (this photo is hideous enough ;-)! I’m only including it in case you ever encounter weird swollen drooping eyelids while you follow the candida diet and you start wondering if this can happen – apparently so!

Here are my Tried & Tested Home Remedies for Itchy Eyes

• Take Olive leaf extract tablets – my go to natural antibiotic substitute. (When you have an acute infection I’d take 2 tablets every 2-3 hours for at least 2 days or until the swelling is noticeable down – this has helped me every time!)
• Apply warm compresses at least 3 times a day (more often if you like). Dip a clean flannel in just boiled water to kill all the germs, let the water cool down until it is pleasant to the touch, wring out any excess water and place it over the closed eyes, perhaps even gently holding the flannel in place.

Herbal Remedies to Cleanse, Moisturize and Calm your Eyes:

• Rinse your eyes out with Witch hazel solution. If you can’t get hold of this, there are great mixtures that contain witch hazel that you can buy in the shop – at least here in the UK.

For instance this eye wash from Boots. It’s prescription free, costs about £4.50 and lasts quite a long time when stored in the fridge. It comes with a little cup that you can fill with a little of the liquid to swish around your eyes, one at a time, head tilted back. Very cool, soothing and reviving!

• You can also use Eyebright tea in the same way for extra calming properties. Just make sure there are no bits of loose tea that could get in the eyes.
• It can be quite soothing to apply chilled slices of cucumber to your eyelids or warm tea bags. Do what you feel is right, that helps you relax. (I’ve tried both, the tea bags method can be annoying when there’s still tea dripping into your eyes.)

Top Tip for Immediate Relief of Dry Itchy Eyes when you are On the Move:

• If you get itchy eyes a lot and you’re on the go keep your eyes open for a small eye drops bottle of the same brand either in Boots or I have bought mine in the supermarket (Tescos). It’s very convenient for when you are away from home. Once opened you should not use the drops longer than a month. But still sealed you can keep it with you in case of emergency allergy attacks.
• Compare the ingredients list carefully to other brands – most contain lots of additives that might only further irritate your eyes. These ones are perfect.

Here’s what you do if you have an Eye Infection:

• If there is any discharge or your eye lashes stick together use an ear bud dipped in fresh warm water (cooled down from boiling) to gently remove it.
• Then follow my suggestions regarding itchy eyes (regular warm compresses, hygiene, lots of rest, etc.)

Things that help Support your Immune system to Help You Heal Faster

• Take Echinacea & Goldenseal.
• Drink lots of good quality mineral water and herbal teas (for instance chamomile – anti inflammatory).
• Get as much rest, shut-eye and sleep as possible.

What else can you do food & nutrition wise to get back on track?

• Dink ginger root tea (boosts circulation to get the swelling down).
• Eat light (preferably lots of soups, vegetables and fish – anti inflammatory; carrots and other veg high in betacarotene are excellent for the eyes, red bell peppers, butternut squash).
• Avoid sugar, coffee, alcohol, wheat, gluten, dairy, pollen, dust mites and anything else that could cause an allergic reaction or stress you.
• One of my lovely readers, Pauline, also suggested sunshine, zinc, omega 3 oils vit c, and I couldn’t agree more – brilliant tips for allergy management

Should you go to the doctor?

Granted, it’s incredibly unpleasant and worrying to have anything wrong with your eyes.

And if your eyes are actually swollen so that you can’t see properly, then of course you are in panic mode. I really couldn’t blame you for going to the doctor’s and getting a prescription for an eye salve or drops. Some are just moisturizing, others also have antibiotic properties.

Hopefully the tips above will help you to treat your itchy or inflamed eyes naturally though, whenever possible. And once you are following a healthy diet, such as the Candida Diet for a while than eye irritations will be a thing of the past for you any way.

I shared this post with Thank Your Body Thursday and Tasty Traditions where you can find lots of useful real food recipes and healthy living tips.

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