Red, bloodshot eyes are not something uncommon. Everyone would have experienced it at one point or another. It could affect one or both eyes. Bloodshot eyes are caused by dilated or swollen blood vessels in the sclera, the white part of your eye. Whether your bloodshot eyes developed over time or made a sudden appearance, they need to be looked at, after determining the cause behind it – is it due to an injury or an allergic reaction.
Red, bloodshot eyes are usually characterized by itching, pain in the eye(s), swelling, blurry vision, and eye discharge. On the other hand, in some cases, the redness is just that – no other symptoms or irritation at all.
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Red, bloodshot eyes may be due to:
- Stye, or a red bump on the eyelid
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage, or broken/dilated blood vessel on the sclera
- Blepharitis, or inflammation of eyelids
The redness in your eyes could range in severity from a few dilated blood vessels that appear across the ‘white’ of the eye, to a bright red that could completely obscure the sclera.
Causes of red, bloodshot eyes
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These are the most common causes of a red eye:
- Eye fatigue
- Dry eyes
- Eye injury
- Computer vision syndrome
- Wearing contact lenses over an extended period of time
- Allergy
- Common eye infections like conjunctivitis
- Corneal ulcer
- Ocular herpes
- Uveitis
- Glaucoma
- Cold and flu
- Excessive smoking
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Lack of sleep
- Workplace hazards
- Swimming in chlorinated water
Home remedies for bloodshot eyes
Although there are several over-the-counter eye drops you could use to clear away the redness in your eyes, you could try these home remedies for bloodshot eyes that are as effective as the meds, if not more so.
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that is very effective in treating eye infections. It possesses anti-bacterial properties, which help treat any infection that might be causing the redness, itching, and swelling in your eyes.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Take 2 tablespoons of this gel and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey and half a cup of elderberry blossom tea. Mix well and use it to rinse your red eyes in this solution, twice a day for a couple of days, till the redness subsides.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a storehouse of vital nutrients, along with malic acid, which gives it anti-bacterial properties. This helps fight any bacterial infections that might have caused the redness, itching, and swelling in your eyes.
Remedy
- Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of plain water. Dip a cotton ball in it, squeeze out the excess, and cleanse your eyes with it. Repeat as need to treat redness effectively.
3. Castor oil
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Castor oil contains many natural compounds that help reduce inflammation and redness in your eyes.
Remedy
- Put 1 drop of pure castor oil into each eye and shut your lids. Relax and let it sit for a few minutes. Repeat this remedy once a day for 3-4 days till the redness is completely gone.
4. Chilled spoons
This helps with the redness and the swelling, by helping soothe and calm your eyes and its blood vessels.
Remedy
- Place 4 steel spoons in the refrigerator, or in a glass of ice cold water. Take the spoons out when you’re sure they’re sufficiently chilled. Place one spoon on each of your eyelids, with the concave part cupping your eye socket. Replace the spoons when they begin to warm. Repeat this remedy till all the redness, itchiness, and swelling subsides.
5. Cold compress
Cold compress helps soothe your eyes, if the redness is caused by lack of sleep or due to swimming in chlorinated water.
Remedy
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a soft cotton cloth and place them on your eyes for a few moments. Repeat this as needed to get rid of the redness.
6. Cucumber
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Cucumber possesses soothing and calming properties, along with anti-inflammatory ones as well, which make it ideal in helping reduce the swelling and redness in your eyes.
Remedies
- Keep a cucumber in the fridge for about 15 minutes to a half hour. Remove it and slice it up. Place a couple of thick slices over your eyes and relax. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, before removing them. Repeat as needed.
- Soak a couple of slices of cucumber in a cup of rose water for about 10 minutes. Then, place one over each of your eyelids for 15 minutes. Repeat as needed to see the puffiness and redness go away.
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7. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds are another excellent home remedy to treat redness and puffiness of eyes. When eaten raw, these are known to enhance eye health.
Remedy
- Add 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds to 1 cup of water. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer for 25 minutes. Strain and allow the solution to completely cool. Use this solution to rinse your eyes.
8. Fenugreek
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Fenugreek contains natural compounds that help reduce inflammation.
Remedies
- Warm a couple of teaspoons of fenugreek seeds and wrap them in a clean cloth. Apply it over your eyes gently to treat the redness, pain, and/or swelling.
- Soak a couple of teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight. The following morning, grind them to make a smooth paste. Close your eyes and spread this paste over your eyes. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off. Repeat this remedy once a day for 2-3 days.
9. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is known to be quite effective in treating eye infections and related redness, especially in traditional medicine. It contains ati-bacterial properties, which help fight the infection successfully.
Remedy
- Add 2 tablespoons of goldenseal to 1 cup of water. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and cool this solution. Use this to rinse your eyes. Repeat this once a day for a couple of days to reduce the redness.
10. Milk
Milk possesses amino acids and other essential nutrients, which contain anti-inflammatory properties. These help cure the redness and puffiness effectively.
Remedy
- Soak a clean cotton ball in cold, raw milk and rub it gently over your eyes for about 10 minutes, twice a day. This helps prevent the redness in your eyes.
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of raw, cold milk and honey. Pour a couple of drops of this mixture in your eyes to reduce puffiness and redness.
11. Raw potatoes
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Potatoes are a rich source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that keeps many diseases and infections at bay, including related to your eyes.
Remedies
- Cut a raw potato into thick slices. Place these in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Then, place the chilled slices over your eyelids for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.
- Include foods that are rich in vitamin E in your daily dietary intake.
12. Rose water
Rose water contains soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infective properties, which makes it natural eye drops to help treat the redness in your eyes effectively.
Remedies
- Dip a clean cotton ball in rose water, gently squeeze out the excess, and place one on each eyelid for about 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy at least twice a day for best results.
- Directly pour a couple of drops of rose water in your eyes or cleanse your eyes with it. It helps reduce the puffiness and the redness in your eyes.
13. Tea bags
Tea contains tannins in it, which help reduce the swelling around the eye, while also helping reduce the redness. Additionally, tannins are known to possess anti-microbial properties as well, which helps reduce any infection your eye may be suffering from.
Remedy
- Place a wet tea bag in the refrigerator for about half an hour. Then, place one on each of your eyelids and let it stay for 15 minutes, before removing them. Repeat as needed.
Pro tip: Green tea bags, chamomile tea bags, and regular tea bags are all useful in getting rid of the redness and the puffiness.
14. Warm compress
Warm compress also helps get rid of redness in the eyes.
Remedy
- Dip a soft wash cloth in the warm water bowl and wring out the excess water. Place this warm compress over your eyes. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, while you rest your eyes. Dip the cloth again and repeat as needed. Gently rub the cloth on your eyelashes and the corners of your eyes to remove any crusts.
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15. Water
Plain water is one of the most basic natural remedies you can use to get rid of the redness. Sometimes, dust particles or other environmental factors are responsible for causing the redness. So water is the best remedy in such cases.
Remedies
- Splash some cold water on your eyes. Try to wash your eyes with the plain water to cleanse them.
- Soak a soft towel in cold water and keep it over your eyes and rest till the wet cloth works its magic on your red eyes.
These are all the effective home remedies for bloodshot eyes that actually work. For more updates on home remedies, health tips, and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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