What are Red Eyes?

Undoubtedly, the eyes play an essential role in our daily life. It is the window of our soul and helps us have a better sense of the surrounding world. Therefore, any problem to the eyes is worth of much concern. And one of the most common Eye problems is Red Eyes.

Redness in eyes or red eyes can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or age. And the severity of red eyes is also very diverse. In some cases, red eyes can lead to the itchiness or pain. In other circumstances, the vision is even negatively damaged. Meanwhile, many people’s eyes turn red without any irritation^[1][2].

What causes Red Eyes?

There are many factors explaining for the appearance of red eyes. Normally, eye fatigue is the most common one because in this day and age, people seem to sit in front of computers or television most of their time. This habit will makes the eyes overwork and leads to eye fatigue. In addition, people who suffer from allergies can experience red eyes as well. Another cause is the use of contact lenses which are often advertised to be safe, but turn out not to be totally safe to use.

Understanding the causes of red eyes, you will be better-equipped to prevent it. However, if you have already suffered from red eyes, do not panic. The treatment of red eyes is quite simple, but you’d better consult a doctor as soon as possible so that the situation does not become worse and worse.

Since the eyes are very sensitive, in case you do not want the intervention of medication, you should be aware that there are many home remedies for red eyes. They use only natural ingredients; therefore, you will be free from worries of side effects.

What are the Symptoms of Red Eyes?

Red eyes can be followed by some of the following symptoms depending on its underlying causes. They include:

• Burning sensation
• Dermatitis (scaling or crusting of the eyelid skin)
• Discharge ( it could be watery or thick)
• Eyelashes that are falling out. It is typically linked with blepharitis.
• Foreign body sensation
• Itchy eyelids
• Itchy eyes
• Photophobia (known as light sensitivity)
• Swollen eyelid
• Watery eyes

When To See Doctors?

In fact, after examining your eyes and asking you for some questions about the symptoms, dite, lifestyle or medical treatment, doctors can give you a correct diagnosis. In several situations,  some futher tests can be ordered to clarify the cause; however, this is not very common.

Are Red Eyes Contagious?

Most people believe that the contagiousness can occur via red eye contacts. Basically, to know whether red eyes are contagious or not depends heavily on the leading causes of conjunctival irritation. For instance, viral and bacterial causes of red eyes are almost contagious and can spread between people. However, if red eyes are triggered by chemical and allergens irritants, they are not contagious through person to person contact.

Red eyes which become contagious posses the period of an incubation for 14 days. But most of the doctors do not think red eyes can be contagious to people till their symptoms start developing.

How to Relieve Red Eyes

Here are the top 15 most effective home remedies for red eyes which you can easily apply for yourself in order to cure the red eyes condition as well as help you have strong and beautiful eyes…

1. Cold Compress

One of the most simple but effective home remedies for red eyes is cold compress. It is very simple and everyone can apply it at home. The coldness of water will reduce the irritation in the eyes and help you get rid of eye fatigue quickly.

• Use a clean and soft towel which should be soaked in cold water first.
• Put the towel over the eyes for a few minutes.

You should follow this remedy a few times per day. Cold compress can be used to treat other eye problems, such as eyelid cysts.

Besides eyes, cold compress is also excellent in temporary treatment of tooth problems. For more information, you can read at: Home Remedies for Abscess Tooth.

2. Water

Don’t forget to drink water if you are suspecting that symptoms of red eyes are threatening you. Another way of using water in the treatment for red eyes is to increase the amount of water intake every day^[3][4]. This will prevent the dehydration in the eyes, which may worsen the red eyes. The experts suggest that we need at least 8 cups of water per day.

Also, try not to leave your body dehyrated. The article Home Remedies for Dehydration might be helpful to you.

3. Cold Milk

If you want one of the simplest home remedies for red eyes, you can replace the cold water with cold milk, which contains more nutrients than normal water. It can eliminate the itchiness and even provide some essential substances for the eyes and the skin near the eyes. Cold milk solve your problem of how to get rid of red eyes without eye drops.

• Use a cotton ball soaked in cold milk.
• Put it over the eyes.

This method should be applied 2 times on a daily basis, before you go to bed and after you wake up.

4. Salt

Salt can prevent the bacteria from attacking the eyes. If you mix salt with water, the mixture will be a great way to help you with cure for red eyes quickly because it provides anti-inflammatory substances for the eyes^[5].

• Take some spoons of salt into a cup of water.
• The mixture should be boiled for a while.
• When the mixture becomes cool, you can wash your eyes with it.

5. Green Tea

Another helpful red eyes treatment goes to green tea. Green tea is not only a favorite drink of many people, but also a wonderful remedy for many diseases, including red eyes. It has many anti-inflammatory nutrients that can be helpful to get rid of red eyes in a short time^[6].

• Mix 2 tea bags into a cup of warm water.
• Leave it there until it becomes cooler.
• Wash your eyes with this mixture several times per day.

Besides applying on your eyes, you can also apply it on your face as well as it also brings you significant positive effect for your skin, especially when you have scars from acne. For more information, please read: Home Remedies for Acne Scars.

6. Cucumber

When it comes to red eyes, let’s go for cucumber. Cucumber is extremely popular in skin care. You may see many images of women who place cucumber slices on their face and two on each eye. In fact, putting two slices of cucumber on the eyes does not only bring relaxation, but also help soothe the eyes and eliminate the pain caused by red eyes^[7]. Cucumber has been used as one of the most effective home remedies for red eyes for ages.

To maximize the benefits, you should soak two slices of cucumber into cold water before applying them on the eyes. Closing eyes during the application will give your eyes more time to rest after many working hours.

Are you suffering from black eyes, read How To Get Rid Of Black Eyes.

7. Aloe Vera

With cooling properties, Aloe Vera is exceptional good for red eyes remedy.

• Take the gel extracted from Aloe Vera.
• Put it into the fridge.
• When it becomes cold, it should be mixed with cold water.
• After that, use a cotton ball and soak in the mixture then apply it on your eyes for several minutes.

Read also: Top 10 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Some substances that are found in apple cider vinegar can enhance the strength of the body to fight against the accumulation of bacteria in the eyes, which may cause many severe damages to our eyes. In addition, the eyes can be soothed and relieved thanks to this wonderful remedy. This is the reason why ACV becomes among top natural red eyes relief.

• Mix 2-3 spoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water.
• A cotton ball should be soaked in the mixture and applied on the eyes for several minutes.

After a few times of applying this method, you will notice the disappearance of red eyes.

For more information, read this 16 suprising ways that ACV benefits your health.

9. Potato

Potato is a perfec answer for your question on how to treat red eyes potentially. Inflammation is something you never want to get along with red eyes. Therefore, it is wise to use potato as a great way to prevent inflammation and get rid of red eyes effectively. All you need to do is chopping a potato into small pieces and putting them over the eyes in 15 minutes.

Also, in case you have eye strain, potato is one of the most effective treatment.

10. Castor Oil

Castor oil can be found in many eye drops in the market, which proves the safety of castor oil to the eyes. Therefore, you can use castor oil to speed up the treatment of red eyes. Like other home remedies for red eyes, you should use a cotton ball soaked in the oil and apply it over the eyes for a few minutes.

Also, you can use castor oil to treat dry eyes.

11. Rose Water

The painful eyes can be treated by rose water. In fact, it is one of the simplest home remedies for red eyes that can be applied directly on the eyes. You will notice improvements immediately after applying it.

12. Baking Soda

Another cure for red eyes that should be taken into consideration is baking soda.

You should prepare:

• A quarter of one spoon of baking soda.
• Half a cup of water.

Mix them together and have your eyes soaked in the mixture for a while. If it is not comfortable for you, you can use a cotton ball as an alternative way.

13. Chamomile

You may notice that chamomile tea appears in many lists of home remedies, and anyone should be as surprised as you when knowing that chamomile is one of the best home remedies for red eyes. Chamomile tea contains a large amount of essential nutrients which are needed for the removal of fatigue. To make the chamomile tea, you need. Performing the following steps will definitely answer your doubt on how to relieve red eyes.

• Use dried chamomile flowers with an amount of one spoon.
• Put it into one cup of warm water.
• The mixture should be steeped in 5 minutes, then, strained.
• When the mixture is cool, wash your eyes with it.

When you make chamomile tea, you can also make extra amount for drinking later as it can help you deal with insomnia effectively. Furthermore, insomnia is also an indirect contributor to your eye fatigue as well. For more information, please read: Home Remedies for Insomnia.

14. Goldenseal

In addition cold compress, you can use warm compress for red eyes cure. And you should add goldenseal into hot water to make a mixture in which you will soak the towel.

15. Witch Hazel

Almost all home remedies for red eyes which are recommended contain necessary components to help us improve the prevention of inflammation. And witch hazel is not exceptional. It will also prevent the eyes from swelling, which may have many negative impacts on your appearance and confidence.

You can use a cotton ball to apply this wonderful herb on the eyes.

How To Prevent Red Eyes

In order to prenven from red eyes, there are some common ways you should perform at home:

• Reduce the time looking at screens
• Adjust the electronic screens
• Give up smoking
• Restrick the amount of alcohol intake
• Consume a healthy and balanced diet
• Take enough sleep