Pink Eye

[Heritage Essential Oils]

Reesa asked:  Any suggestions for pink eye in a five-month-old baby?

[Linda Sherman]

Hi Reesa,

Mother's milk is a good choice (see note below) as are the Optique Eye Drops by Boiron, which you may be able to find at a local health food store. These eye drops are soothing and have cleared up pink eye very quickly. I hope it is resolved quickly. Blessings, Linda

Conjuctivitis

Conjuctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a type of eye infection that is highly contagious and very unpleasant to have. It causes the eye to become inflamed, crusted, and sore. Many people treat conjunctivitis by applying a small amount of breast milk to the affected eye. A particular antibody in the breast milk, called immunoglobulin A, prevents the pink eye bacteria from attaching to the mucosal surface of the eye. This limits the growth of the bacteria, helping to end the eye infection.

If you develop pinkeye, simply squirt a little breast milk directly onto the surface of your eye. Lift your eyelid slightly to help the breast milk circulate underneath. Continue this treatment three times a day for a couple of days, or until the eye infection has cleared. If your symptoms persist or worsen, though, seek medical advice.