Natural health: How can I heal my bloodshot eye?

Plus, tackling athlete's foot 

Lifting heavy objects, excessive straining, continuous coughing, chronic constipation, vomiting, high blood pressure, and blood-thinning medication are other common triggers for subconjunctival haemorrhaging — even a hearty sneeze can trigger a bloodshot eye.

I was driving with the window down recently and got a bloodshot eye as a result. It looks terrible, though I’m not in any pain. Is there anything I can do to speed the recovery?

Time is the best healer for a bloodshot eye, often called a subconjunctival haemorrhage. It typically takes one to two weeks for a broken blood vessel to heal, but you can take some measures to help the process and prevent further damage.

Compresses can help the healing process, particularly if you switch between cool and warm compresses.

Pure water will do, or you can make a weak chamomile or calendula infusion (about ½ teaspoon of dried herb per 250ml of water infused for around two minutes).

Strain the infusion carefully using a fine silk strainer or a muslin cloth inside a sieve to ensure there are no small particles that could further irritate the eye. If you spot remaining particles, run the strained infusion through a paper filter (such as a coffee filter) and a funnel.

Soak a clean cloth (bamboo, cotton, or muslin) in the water or infusion, gently squeeze out a little of the excess liquid, and place it over the closed eyelid for 15-30 seconds.

Do this once or twice daily.

Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can cause further damage.  Wear glasses rather than contact lenses (if applicable), and limit screen time.

Lifting heavy objects, excessive straining, continuous coughing, chronic constipation, vomiting, high blood pressure, and blood-thinning medication are other common triggers for subconjunctival haemorrhaging — even a hearty sneeze can trigger a bloodshot eye.

Eye drops promise relief from redness; however, some can cause long-term issues, so patience is best. If you develop pain, discharge, light sensitivity, or any changes to your vision, see your doctor immediately.

My teenage son has athlete’s foot, which gets worse during the summer. Sometimes the skin between his toes breaks and bleeds. What natural treatment would you suggest?

Athlete’s foot can be a stubborn infection. Fungal infections are mainly dealt with by a specific group of white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, or T-cells. These cells are produced in the bone marrow, reach maturation in the thymus gland, and are released into the lymph and blood. This means that supporting our immune system is a crucial aspect of treating recurrent or stubborn fungal infections.

Innate or genetic T-cell status is one of the key factors in our susceptibility to fungal infection, along with acquired deficiency.

Other immune elements are important in supporting the body in preventing and healing fungal infections, such as keeping your beneficial gut bacteria in check.

A high-quality probiotic and a garlic supplement could be a good place to start treating your son.

Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, supports immunity while specifically fighting fungal infection.

Allimax products are a simple and effective way to benefit from allicin. The company offers a wide range of options, from liquids and capsules to topical creams and gels. The Allimax range is generally available from health stores and chemists.

Depending on how fussy an eater your son is, it would be helpful if he focused on whole foods, fresh produce, and drinking plenty of water daily to boost his immune system.

Applying neat essential oil is another effective natural option. The two most popular essential oils for treating athlete’s foot come from Australia: tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora).