Can I just do eye washes to help clear up pink eye (conjunctivitis)?

Question

I have pink eye.I think I have the bacterial pink eye like I had back in February of this year. I am certain I have bacterial pink eye like I had a few months ago.

My older cousin passed away from cancer last month and my mom and I had to go to Champaign,Illinois for the funeral.I spent the night at my cousin's house.I told my mom to bring my suitcase because my contact case and contact solution was in it.She never brought it and so I had to sleep with the contacts in.Not good. Last week I notice the symptoms manifesting.For 2 days my left eye burned.I can wear my contacts but my eyes are still itchy.

I do have Simalsan pink eye relief drops and I did use them for 2 days now.

What I want to know is if I can just do eye washes versus the drops to clear the infection up? Can I do eye washes and warm compresses?

I really do not want to have to go to the doctor like I had to last time.

My mom is going to kill me.I am not insured and the hospital that once did free services is now charging people, sending bills.My mom is paying a bill from the time I had to go to the emergency room back in February for internal bleeding.

Ooo.If I have to go to the doctor again, my mom will flip.

So can I just treat it with eye washes and warm compresses?

I also read about the aloe vera cure online.You just take an aloe leaf and squeeze the juice out and let it hit your eyes.It will sting for a few minutes but its effective.I did put some pure aloe juice in my eye and my eye feels a little better.

Answer 1

You have to go to a public hospital not private they can bill you but not send you to collections. your mom shouldn't put your health at risk because of money, you are using your eyes right now, imagine not being able to. but you can try to use just eye wash but if you go to the doctor they maybe able to tell you why you keep getting pink eye.

Answer 2

It's important to leave your contacts out to begin with, for several days. Also be sure not to wear that same pair again...they are finished.

You can get antibiotics like Polysporin for pink eye at the pharmacy without a prescription.You have to ask for it from the pharmacist , it is behind the counter, but available.

Most often , it is what the Dr. will tell you to get anyway.

That usually clears it up within a couple of days.

Answer 3

Take out the contacts until it clears up.  Just keep the area clean, not too sure about the aloe leaf idea though...  You could just go to your optometrist, give them a call (might not charge for advice given over the phone! :)   Also, I'm sure your mom won't mind a bill if it means you are going to be ok! =)