Apollo is a common eye infection in Nigeria and West Africa, especially during the harmattan season. However, it not always so serious that you have to visit the hospital. So, this article contains some tips on how you can treat this problem at home and the main home remedy for Apollo.
When a person’s eye is swollen, red, burning and itching, the person is said to have Apollo or pink eye. Apollo is usually as a result of viral or bacterial infection or some irritants. It is medically known as acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. It is a condition where there is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is a protective membrane that covers the white area of the eye also known as the sclera and also lines the eyelid. Apollo is a very contagious disease and may affect one or two eyes. Apollo eye infection has a very sudden onset which is in most times painless but uncomfortable.
Signs and symptoms of Apollo
The signs and symptoms include:
● Redness of the eye
● Swelling of the eye
● Burning or gritty sensation in the eye
● Water discharge
● Sensitivity to light
Cure for Apollo eye infection
In some cases, the body’s immune system is strong enough to get rid of conjunctivitis in one to three weeks. In cases like that, there is no need for medicinal treatment. However, some cases of Apollo or conjunctivitis requires treatment. If treatment is not given on time, it can become very dangerous and subsequently result in the inflammation of the cornea and loss of vision.
Over the years, various home remedies for conjunctivitis have been used and proven. Here is a list of some of the proven home remedies commonly used for Apollo.
Cold or warm compress
This is the easiest and most advised home remedy for conjunctivitis. If you know the cause of the conjunctivitis is a bacterial or virus, a hot compress is advised. Dip a clean cloth in a slightly warm water and apply a gentle press over the pink eye. A warm compress will reduce the swollen red eye. A cold compress works majorly for pink eye resulting from an allergic reaction to an irritant. If you are using the warm compress on both eyes, use separate cloths for each eye. Using the same cloth for both reduces the efficiency and infection can be carried from one eye to the other.
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Honey
Most people use honey to treat Apollo at home. Honey has a lot of health benefits because of the many properties it possesses. One of its advantages is that it can cure infection quickly because it has antibacterial properties.
How to use it:
● Three tablespoons of pure honey are mixed with two cups of hot water.
● Allow the mixture to cool down.
● After cooling, put some drops of the solution in the affected eye. You can also use the solution to wash your eyes, a minimum of two to three times daily.
● Also, you can apply it by dipping a clean cloth or cotton pad in the solution and place it on the affected eye for some minutes.
● Milk can also be used instead of boiling water.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant which also possesses a lot of health benefits, and it’s commonly used at homes. To use Aloe Vera for Apollo, dip a part of a clean handkerchief in fresh Aloe Vera gel and place it on the affected eye. To make fresh Aloe Vera gel, all you have to do is to squeeze out the gel from the Aloe Vera leaves.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a good antibiotic, and it can be used to reduce the symptoms of Apollo. Add two tablespoons of turmeric powder to one cup of hot water and mix it. Use a clean cloth or cotton pad to apply it as a compress on the infected eye.
Potato
Potato is believed to be a natural astringent i.e. reduces bleeding from minor abrasions. To use it for your pink eye, cut slices of raw potato. Place the small slices on the affected eye for at least twenty minutes. Do this for two or three days to achieve good results.
Baking soda
Take one tablespoon of baking soda and mix it in one cup of water. Wash the infected eye with the resulting solution. It reduces pain and discomfort in the affected eye.
Garlic
Garlic has excellent antibiotic effects and can be used to kill infections. To use garlic for your pink eye, peel a garlic clove and make a cut in it. Allow the juice in the clove to come out and apply it on the eyelid of the affected eye. You are probably going to feel a stinging feeling in your eye. This sensation will pass after some time.
Chamomile
Add one teaspoon of very dry chamomile flower in a cup of boiled water. Allow it to cool down and then wash your eyes with it after straining. Chamomile is one of the very effective home remedies for pink eye.
Boric acid
Dilute one tablespoon of boric acid in a one-quarter cup of boiling water. Use the solution to wash the infected eye. You can also apply the solution with a cloth as a compress on the pink eye. Apply this home remedy for a minimum of three times in a week to get the best result. It really works well for Apollo.
Castor oil
To treat a pink eye with castor oil, just apply a few drops of castor oil in the affected eye a minimum of three times a day.
How to prevent getting Apollo?
There are certain prescribe measures that can be taken to prevent contacting Apollo.
1. Washing hands frequently and preferably with soap and warm water.
2. Avoid wearing other people’s contact lenses. Also, do not use lenses when you have Apollo.
3. Changing pillow covers as often as possible.
4. Avoid sharing handkerchiefs or towels especially with someone that has the infection.
5. Use a tissue or clean handkerchiefs to clean eyes always instead of using your hands.
6. Healthy people should avoid contact with an infected person during the course of infection. In the case of children, it is advisable that infected kids should be allowed to stay away from school during the infection.
Apollo is an acute condition i.e. for a short period, and it is self-limiting in healthy people. However, failure to follow hygienic conditions and also carelessness can make it a critical condition. Note that there are many more home remedies that can be used. These are just a few ones that we believe are readily available and affordable to get.
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