Can I put breast milk on my eye?

The Use of Breast Milk for Eye Care: A Closer Look
In recent years, the practice of using breast milk as a home remedy for eye issues, particularly in infants, has gained attention. Many parents wonder whether this natural substance can effectively treat conditions like conjunctivitis or other eye infections.
What Does Research Say?
A study published in a medical journal found that breast milk (BM) can be as effective as traditional treatments for infants with eye discharge. Specifically, it suggested that breast milk could be considered a first-line treatment for infants aged six months or younger suffering from such conditions. This is largely attributed to the antibodies present in breast milk, which may help combat infections.
Moreover, anecdotal evidence and some expert opinions support the idea that breast milk can provide relief for minor eye infections. It is believed that the sterile nature of breast milk, combined with its immune-boosting properties, makes it a viable option for treating conditions like conjunctivitis in infants.
Safety Considerations
While the use of breast milk in treating eye issues appears to be safe for infants, caution is advised. Experts recommend that parents should not arbitrarily use breast milk for eye care without consulting a healthcare professional. This is particularly important because not all eye conditions are the same, and some may require specific medical treatments.
For adults, the application of breast milk to the eyes is less common and not widely studied. While some suggest it may have benefits, the lack of rigorous scientific evidence means that adults should approach this practice with skepticism and consult with a healthcare provider before trying it.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk has shown promise as a treatment for certain eye conditions in infants, particularly conjunctivitis, it is essential to approach its use with care. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to ensure that the treatment is appropriate for the specific eye issue at hand. For adults, the benefits remain largely unverified, and caution is advised.

Can breast milk cure eye infection in adults?

Can I use breast milk for pink eye? Breastmilk could be more harmful than helpful for pink eye. One of the few studies on whether breast milk can fight infections found that it didn’t cure the most common causes of pink eye — and worse, breastmilk can introduce new bacteria into the eye and cause serious infection.

Is breast milk safe for eyes?

Breast milk is WONDERFUL and beneficial for our babies in so many ways, but it is NOT a cure-all and definitely NOT meant to be used in our eyes.

Can breast milk clear baby eyes?

A 2021 study found that breast milk was no less effective at treating eye discharge in infants than sodium azulene sulfonate hydrate 0.02% ophthalmic solution (OS). They recommend using breast milk as eye drops for babies up to 6 months of age.

What happens if we apply milk under eyes?

Milk contains lactic acid and proteins that can soothe and brighten the skin. Applying cold milk to the under-eye area may help reduce puffiness and lighten dark circles, though it won’t completely remove them.

Is breast milk antibacterial?

Laboratory and clinical studies have supported that human breast milk is able to decrease bacterial-related diarrhea 9, urinary tract infection 10,11, and many other diseases associated with bacterial infection 12.

What is the fastest way to cure an eye infection?

The quickest and the fastest way to cure an eye infection depends on the kind and severity of the infection. Treatments like antibiotic eye drops, ointments or antiviral medications may be prescribed by the healthcare specialist to have your infection cured quickly.

Is breast milk good for the eyes?

Medical Research Concerning Breast Milk
However, breast milk is not effective against all bacterial eye infections. In addition, it typically does not eradicate the infection, but only seems to suppress it. If your infant’s eye infection goes untreated, they could develop long-term eye damage.

Can you use breastmilk as eye drops for a baby?

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that BM is no less effective than OS in infants with eye discharge aged ≤6 months. The results suggested that the use of breast milk as eye drops could be considered as a first-line treatment for infants aged ≤6 months with eye discharge.

What are the benefits of applying milk on eyes?

Whole and fat-reduced human milk showed promising effects in the prevention of BAK-induced loss of corneal epithelial thickness and epithelial damage in this mouse model. Further studies are required to determine whether human milk may be safely used to treat dry eye in patients.

How to clean newborn gunky eyes?

You may see some sticky stuff in the corner of the eyes or their eyelashes may be stuck together. It normally clears up on its own, but you may have to clean your baby’s eyes regularly with damp cotton wool. Use clean, cooled boiled water. Wipe each eye from the corner by the nose outwards.