Can Silver Cure Conjunctivitis?

What Is Conjunctivitis?

You know that annoying itch and burning feel, with your eyes watering and having crusty parts? That’s pink eye. Conjunctivitis, usually called "pink eye," is an infection of the conjunctiva. This is the thin layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. 

Causes of Conjunctivitis

It can happen for many reasons, both infectious and non-infectious. The most common infectious causes are viruses and bacteria. Viral conjunctivitis usually connects to colds or upper respiratory issues. It spreads easily and is often caused by adenoviruses. Bacterial conjunctivitis, which also spreads easily, usually comes from bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae. This type is especially common in children and often leads to thick, yellow or green discharge.

Non-infectious reasons for conjunctivitis include allergic and irritant reactions. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by things like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. It is not contagious and usually impacts both eyes, often with other allergy signs, like sneezing. Irritant conjunctivitis happens when you come into contact with things like smoke, chlorine from pools, or foreign objects in your eye. It can also result from using contact lenses too much or being sensitive to them. A more serious type is chemical conjunctivitis, which occurs when harmful things like cleaners or acids touch the eyes.

In rare cases, conjunctivitis can happen because of autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. These infections can lead to serious eye problems in both adults and newborns.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The symptoms of conjunctivitis (pink eye) can change based on what causes it, but they usually include these:

• Redness in the white part of the eye and the inner eyelid

• Itching or a burning feel in one or both eyes

• Watery eyes or too much tearing

• Discharge from the eyes — it may be clear, white, yellow, or green

• Crusting on the eyelashes, especially after sleep

• Swollen eyelids

• A gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes (like something is inside them)

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurred vision (usually mild and short)

Conventional and Alternative Treatments

Usually, treatment includes antibiotics, but there is something that can be very helpful in treating this. That something is silver.

Silver, especially in the forms of colloidal silver or silver nitrate, has been used for a long time to treat eye infections like conjunctivitis because it can fight germs. Silver naturally kills bacteria and viruses, working by breaking down the cell walls of microbes. This stops them from surviving and growing. This way, it could help reduce the infection that causes conjunctivitis.

In medical practice, silver nitrate was often used in newborns' eyes to stop gonorrheal conjunctivitis. This is a infection that can be passed from mother to child during birth. But now, doctors mostly use antibiotic ointments like erythromycin instead. Recently, silver creams or drops have also been used in veterinary care and other types of medicine for eye treatment.

One popular remedy that is often sold is colloidal silver. It is claimed to help with several problems, including conjunctivitis. This remedy usually comes in a very diluted form. Because it is so weak, it does not cause harm or side effects.

That being said, it is still very useful. It should be thought of as a safer choice if you want to stay away from antibiotics.

Conclusion

Conjunctivitis is a common eye problem that can happen for several reasons, like infections, allergens, irritants, and even some diseases. Doctors often use regular treatments like antibiotics, which work well. However, some people are looking into other ways to treat it, like using silver, especially in its colloidal form. Silver can help fight germs and has few side effects. As studies keep going and more people are interested in natural cures, silver might be a useful and gentle way to handle conjunctivitis. This is especially true for those who want to skip regular medicines.