Most pink eye clears up on its own within one to two weeks, but the itching, burning, and crustiness in the meantime can be miserable. The fastest relief comes from a combination of cold compresses, artificial tears, and good hygiene to keep the infection from spreading or getting worse. What works best depends on whether your pink eye is viral, bacterial, or allergic, since each type responds to different strategies.
Cold Compresses and Artificial Tears
The two most universally recommended remedies for pink eye are cold compresses and artificial tears. Cold compresses reduce inflammation and soothe the burning, gritty sensation. Soak a clean washcloth in cool water, wring it out, and hold it gently over your closed eye for a few minutes. You can repeat this several times a day. Some people find a warm compress more comfortable, and that’s fine too. The key is using a fresh, clean cloth each time to avoid reintroducing bacteria.
Artificial tears (lubricating eye drops sold without a prescription) help wash away irritants and relieve the dryness that makes pink eye feel worse. Look for drops labeled “artificial tears” or “lubricating drops” rather than drops designed to reduce redness, which can actually irritate inflamed eyes with repeated use. If you’re treating one infected eye, don’t use the same bottle on your other eye.
Relief by Type of Pink Eye
Viral Pink Eye
Viral pink eye is the most common form and, unfortunately, the one with the fewest treatment shortcuts. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses, so you’re essentially waiting it out. Cold compresses and artificial tears are your main tools. Viral pink eye often starts in one eye and spreads to the other within a few days. It tends to produce a watery, clear discharge rather than thick, colored mucus. Most cases resolve within 7 to 14 days without any prescription treatment.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial pink eye typically causes thicker, yellow or greenish discharge that can crust your eyelids shut overnight. While mild cases often clear on their own, antibiotic eye drops or ointment from a doctor can shorten the duration and reduce how contagious you are. In the meantime, gently clean the crusting from your eyelids several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or a fresh cotton ball. Throw cotton balls away after a single use and wash cloths in hot water.
Allergic Pink Eye
If your pink eye is driven by allergies (pollen, dust mites, pet dander), relief looks different. Both eyes are usually affected, and intense itching is the hallmark symptom. The most effective long-term fix is reducing your exposure to the allergen. Practical steps include keeping windows closed during allergy season, running a HEPA air filter, vacuuming frequently, and avoiding smoking or vaping indoors.
For immediate relief, regularly flush your eyes with water or artificial tears and apply cold compresses. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops can help significantly. Oral antihistamines like fexofenadine, loratadine, or cetirizine also ease symptoms. Allergists recommend these second-generation antihistamines over older options like diphenhydramine because they’re more effective, cause less drowsiness, and carry fewer long-term risks.
Hygiene That Speeds Recovery
Good hygiene doesn’t just prevent spreading pink eye to others. It also keeps you from reinfecting yourself or making your symptoms worse. The single most important habit is hand washing: scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after touching your eyes or applying drops. If soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Beyond hand washing, a few specific steps make a real difference:
- Don’t touch or rub your eyes. This is hard when they itch, but rubbing increases inflammation and spreads the infection.
- Wash bedding and towels in hot water frequently. Pillowcases, sheets, and washcloths can all harbor the virus or bacteria.
- Don’t share personal items like towels, pillows, eye drops, or makeup.
- Skip the pool. Chlorinated water can further irritate your eyes, and you risk spreading the infection to others.
- Toss disposable items you used while infected, including cotton balls, disposable contact lenses, and lens cases.
Contact Lenses and Pink Eye
Stop wearing contact lenses as soon as you notice pink eye symptoms. Contacts trap bacteria and irritants against the surface of your eye, which can worsen inflammation and slow healing. Switch to glasses until your symptoms have fully resolved or your eye doctor gives you the green light to resume wearing them.
If you wear disposable lenses, throw away the pair you were using when symptoms started, along with the case. For non-disposable lenses, thoroughly disinfect them before wearing them again. This is also a good time to clean your eyeglasses with lens cleaner, since you’ve likely been handling them with contaminated hands.
Skip These Home Remedies
You’ll find suggestions online for putting honey or breast milk in your eyes. Neither is recommended. Honey, even medical-grade versions that have been sterilized with radiation, can still harbor bacterial spores. In infants, these spores carry a risk of botulism, a rare but potentially fatal condition. Putting unsterilized substances directly into an inflamed eye introduces new infection risks and can make things worse. Stick with commercially produced artificial tears, which are sterile and designed for eye use.
Signs Your Pink Eye Needs Medical Attention
Most pink eye is annoying but harmless. However, certain symptoms signal something more serious that requires prompt care:
- Blurred vision or decreased vision
- Severe eye pain (not just mild irritation)
- Intense sensitivity to light
- A feeling that something is stuck in your eye
- Large amounts of discharge
- Symptoms that keep getting worse instead of gradually improving
These can indicate a more serious eye infection, a corneal ulcer, or another condition that mimics pink eye but requires different treatment. Newborns with any eye redness or discharge should be seen immediately, as neonatal conjunctivitis can cause permanent damage without treatment.