Colloidal Silver for Pink Eye – Conjunctivitis Remedy

Colloidal silver has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used as antibiotic eye drops to treat pink eye for over 100 years.

Using colloidal silver for pink eye is an effective remedy to help reduce inflammation, irritation, and swelling in the affected eye.

Learn how to use colloidal silver to manage viral or bacterial infection and discover why it’s one of the best home remedies for pink eye relief. 

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eyeball. 

Pink eye can have several causes, including:

• Viral infection: Viral conjunctivitis is typically linked to adenovirus, a viral strain associated with the common cold. Viral pink eye is highly contagious and can easily spread through touching contaminated surfaces and close contact with an infected person. 

• Bacterial infection: Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, and typically spreads through contact with infected hands, contact lenses, or eye makeup. 

• Allergic reaction: Allergic pink eye is often caused by exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain chemicals that can accumulate in the body. 

While most cases of pink eye are triggered by a bacterial or viral infection, individuals with a weakened immune system and those with seasonal allergies are at increased risk of allergic conjunctivitis.  

Symptoms of pink eye

When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, the small blood vessels in the eye become dilated, which causes the characteristic pink or reddish color in the infected eye. 

Here are common symptoms of pink eye:

• Redness in the white of the eye
• Blurred vision
• Swollen and inflamed eyelids
• Itching or burning sensations 
• Watery eyes or yellow discharge 
• Sensitivity to light

What is colloidal silver?

Colloidal silver is a suspension of microscopic silver particles in a liquid, typically water. 

Colloidal silver has potent antimicrobial effects and has been used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections for centuries. 

Research published in Antibiotics confirms that silver can inhibit and eliminate pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and yeasts, by interfering with their cellular respiration and energy-making processes.¹

Because of its ability to eliminate infectious microbes, colloidal silver is one of the most popular natural remedies for conjunctivitis and has been used as antibiotic drops in traditional medicine practices for more than 100 years. 

How to use colloidal silver for pink eye

To manage pink eye symptoms, it’s best to choose a colloidal silver suspension with a dropper and carefully read the product label for instructions.

The exact dosage depends on the silver particle concentration of the product you plan to use. However, it’s generally recommended to apply two drops of colloidal silver suspension into the affected eye and always treat both eyes, even if only one eye is infected. 

Research published in Coatings found that colloidal silver containing 20 to 30 parts per million (ppm) of silver particles was effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis.²

While colloidal silver can help to manage eye infections, it shouldn’t be applied to the eyes for more than two consecutive days.  

If symptoms don’t improve, it’s important to seek medical advice to evaluate the exact cause of conjunctivitis and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.    

Are there risks to using colloidal silver?

Colloidal silver is generally well tolerated and has minimal side effects if used as instructed. 

You may have heard that colloidal silver can turn your skin blue. However, this is extremely rare and typically linked to excessive and prolonged use of highly-concentrated colloidal silver, causing the accumulation of silver particles in the skin, which can lead to a bluish-gray skin tone.

Colloidal silver can be toxic if taken in large amounts or over a long period and can lead to neurological problems, kidney issues, and liver damage.  

How long does it take to get rid of pink eye?

The duration of pink eye can vary depending on the underlying cause, the type of pathogen, and the severity of the infection. 

“While bacterial conjunctivitis typically clears up within a few days, viral eye infections can take up to ten days to resolve,” explains Dr. Berg. “Using colloidal silver for a couple of days can significantly speed up the healing process.” 

Administering artificial tears, cleaning your eyelids with a cotton ball, and avoiding wearing contact lenses and eye makeup can also help reduce dry and burning eyes caused by microbial infection. 

In addition, taking zinc is a natural pink eye remedy that’s especially beneficial for viral conjunctivitis. Zinc has been found to inhibit the replication and proliferation of viruses linked to viral eye infections.   

FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6315945/ ?
2. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/13/2/265 ?