Does breast milk cure conjunctivitis?

The Role of Breast Milk in Treating Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eyeball. It can be caused by various factors, including bacteria, viruses, allergens, and irritants. As parents often seek home remedies for their children’s ailments, the question arises: can breast milk effectively treat conjunctivitis?
The Folk Remedy and Its Origins
The use of breast milk as a remedy for eye infections, including conjunctivitis, has been a topic of interest among breastfeeding mothers and in various cultures. In some communities, it is believed that the natural antibodies and nutrients in breast milk can help combat infections. This practice is particularly prevalent in Poland, where a survey indicated that many mothers consider the non-nutritional properties of human milk for treating ailments.
Scientific Insights and Limitations
Despite the anecdotal evidence supporting the use of breast milk for eye infections, scientific studies present a more nuanced view. Research indicates that while breast milk may have some antibacterial properties, it is unlikely to be effective against the most common causes of pediatric conjunctivitis. Specifically, breast milk has shown effectiveness against the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, which can cause severe neonatal eye infections, but this is not representative of the broader spectrum of conjunctivitis cases.
A study highlighted that breast milk could be as effective as traditional saline solutions for treating eye discharge in infants under six months old. However, this does not equate to a cure for all types of conjunctivitis. The effectiveness of breast milk largely depends on the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis. For instance, if the condition is viral or caused by other bacteria, breast milk may not provide any therapeutic benefit.
Practical Considerations
While some parents may consider using breast milk to clean away infected secretions from their child’s eyes, experts advise caution. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially since conjunctivitis can be contagious and may require specific medical interventions.
Moreover, the lack of direct studies focusing on breast milk instillation for treating conjunctivitis in children raises concerns about its efficacy and safety. The consensus among medical professionals is that while breast milk can be a soothing agent, it should not replace conventional treatments when necessary.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is a natural substance with some beneficial properties, it is not a guaranteed cure for conjunctivitis. Parents should prioritize seeking medical advice to ensure appropriate treatment for their child’s eye condition. The allure of home remedies like breast milk should be tempered with an understanding of the underlying causes of conjunctivitis and the potential need for more effective medical treatments.

Can I put breastmilk in my baby’s gunky eye?

For actual bacterial pink eye, what evidence there is shows that mother’s milk is unlikely to be effective for the bacteria that cause this infection. And certainly, in a newborn, genuine pink eyes need to be evaluated by a physician–don’t fool around with home treatments with mother’s milk or anything else.

How do you treat conjunctivitis ASAP?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Apply a compress to your eyes. To make a compress, soak a clean, lint-free cloth in water and wring it out before applying it gently to your closed eyelids.
2. Try eye drops. Nonprescription eye drops called artificial tears may relieve symptoms.
3. Stop wearing contact lenses.

Can breast milk heal an eye infection?

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 breast milk cure infections?

Along with antibodies, breast milk delivers proteins, fats, sugars and even white blood cells that work to fight infection in many ways.

Does breast milk help pink eye in adults?

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 breastmilk good for conjunctivitis?

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about antihistamine use for your child. You may have heard breastmilk can be used on a baby’s eyes if they are gunky or sticky. Breastmilk does not treat conjunctivitis and there is no benefit to using it on your baby’s eyes, but it is not harmful. Formula should never be used.

How to treat conjunctivitis in newborns?

For chlamydial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic that you’ll need to give your baby by mouth. You may need to take an antibiotic, too. For gonococcal conjunctivitis, your doctor may give your baby antibiotics through an IV.

Is breast milk a natural antibiotic?

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.

How do you get rid of conjunctivitis in babies fast?

If it’s bacterial conjunctivitis, your child may need antibiotic ointment or drops. Put the drops in both eyes. Keep using the drops until 2 days after the discharge has gone. If it’s viral, it doesn’t need antibiotics.

What is the fastest way to cure conjunctivitis?

If you’re having bacterial pink eye symptoms, the fastest way to treat them is to see your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops. According to a review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, using antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of pink eye.