On Christmas Eve this year, my whole family woke up with a terrible case of pink eye. While we had a good laugh that at least we were wearing red, it was not a very cheery experience for the holidays!

We called our doctor (who amazingly answered her cell phone on Christmas Eve) and she prescribed some antibiotic eye drops. I was sure that we had the bacterial variety because it came on so fast and our eyes were so swollen and painful. We were also worried about being contagious on Christmas Day for the visiting family.

But I was wrong. And over the next five months, I would learn more than anyone should ever know about conjunctivitis, aka pink eye.

Why?

Because we got it again and again and again. And from this experience, I have three lessons to share with you.

Lesson #1: Pink eye is almost always viral.

Five months into my battle with pink eye, I saw an ophthalmologist. She said about 90% of cases are caused by a virus and the antibiotics will not help it get better. As a matter of fact, they may aid in the recurrence of pink eye. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria in your eye that helps it to be healthy and fight infection, making you more susceptible to viral conjunctivitis after using the eye drops.

We almost always had cold-like symptoms with the pink eye. When you have a bacterial infection in your eye, you typically don’t have other symptoms. Also, the bacterial variety will have lots of green and yellow pus. Viral conjunctivitis is characterized by watery, sticky discharge.

Lesson #2: Natural remedies do work!

While you might think that nothing but time and your immune system will get rid of viral conjunctivitis, we found some cures that really helped.

1. Breast milk: Breast milk contains infection fighting white blood cells, Bifidus Factor to help good bacteria grow and Oligosaccharides, which bind to harmful bacteria and keep it from attaching to mucosal surfaces. All of these are great for an infected eye! If you have some, just pump or hand express into a sterile cup, keep it refrigerated and use a sterile dropper to apply to the eye at least four times per day.


2. Green or chamomile tea bag compresses: This is a folk remedy that many swear by and is very soothing for the swollen, red eye.


3. Herb Pharm Herbal Eye Wash. This was the treatment that worked the best for us. It contains rue, fennel, goldenseal and eyebright, all great herbs for clearing infection and inflammation. Within one day of using this formula, our eyes felt and looked better. Within three days, we were symptom-free! We also took immune boosters to help our bodies fight off the virus: Vitamin C, zinc and Oregano Oil.

Lesson # 3: In order for the first two lessons to make a difference, throw out all your eye makeup and wash everything in your house.

So, after learning about how our pink eye was viral and taking lots of great herbal remedies, why did we keep getting it again and again? Simple: This bug is very contagious!

We passed it from one person to the next. By the time my pink eye cleared up, our toddler would have it and then give it to his dad. And then, a couple of weeks later, I would get it again!

It is important to wash your hands constantly (just warm soap and water, folks), wash all hand towels, pillow cases, door knobs, cell phones, eye glasses, computer keyboards…daily. You get the drift! And eye makeup? Throw it away.

Most importantly: Don’t touch your eyes! It is hard to do when they are itchy and drippy. But believe me, you don’t want to pass this germ to your worst enemy, much less your best friend.

Which, by the way, I did. And guess what? She gave it right back to me a couple of weeks later!

So, I hope these three simple lessons make a difference for you the next time someone in your family wakes up with the eye goop or the “stink eye” as we lovingly call it in our household.

And as always, consult your health practitioner if you have a concern about an eye infection that is getting worse or not clearing up. We aren't doctors here, just passing on some advice that may be helpful to you. Also, occasionally pink eye be more serious and need medical attention, so don't be afraid to make an appointment - just remember these warnings and ask a few questions before starting on any antibiotics, and make sure you're taking the steps to help reduce sources of contagion.

When you hear the word bacteria, what do you think? Probably something along the lines of: “Bacteria is bad, kill it now!”

Yes, many types of bacteria are harmful. They can cause infections and make you very sick. You have probably also heard about the scary drug resistant bacteria like MRSA that are now rampant in hospitals.

But what about good bacteria?

One of the most important things to know about bacteria is that "good bacteria" keep bad bacteria in check. You have bacteria all over your body. It coats your skin, lines your intestinal walls and protects your eyes. And did you know that your food is covered in bacteria?

Princeton geneticist and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Bonnie Bassler said in an interview about bacteria: “You have 10 billion bacterial cells in your gut. You only have 1 billion human cells making up your whole body. So there are 10 times more bacterial cells in you, or on you, than human cells. By weight, you are more human than bacteria, because your cells are bigger, but by numbers, it's not even close.”

So what do good bacteria do for you?

1. Keep the bad bacteria in check and fights pathogens in the body.


2. Help you break down certain foods, like starches.


3. Promote the storage of energy as fat.


4. Help your body synthesize vitamins in your gut.


5. Increase your ability to renew cells in your intestines, getting rid of damaging cells that could lead to intestinal cancer.


6. Help newborns develop their immune systems, by being passed from mother to child in the birthing process.


7. Another possibility supported by some research: Aid the immune system in fighting allergies and hay fever.

So how do you insure that you have enough of the good bacteria? People who have regularly taken antibiotics, have poor digestive health or who have compromised immune systems would benefit from supplementing with probiotics. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defines probiotics as: "live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts which confer a beneficial health effect on the host." Many health practitioners recommend supplementing with probiotics any time you take antibiotics.

Sources of probiotics include:

• Cultured foods such as yogurt and kefir. US Probiotics reports: “For centuries, folklore suggested that fermented dairy products containing live active cultures are healthful. Recent controlled scientific investigation supports these traditional views, suggesting that probiotics are a valuable part of a healthy diet.” One challenge with buying yogurt or other products that claim to deliver probiotics is that the heat treatment of yogurt kills live cultures. In order to help consumers determine if live, active cultures are in a product, the National Yogurt Association established a “Live Active Culture” seal. Unfortunately, when the active counts are listed on the product, they do not distinguish between starter cultures (needed to make yogurt) and the probiotic cultures. So, if you really want to know the counts, you need to contact the manufacturer.


• Nutritional supplements. You can buy probiotics over the counter in the health food section of your store. They are available in capsules, powders, liquids or tablets. It is important to choose a high-quality product. Look for documentation of the type of bacteria, the potency (number of bacteria per dose), and an assurance of purity. A high quality product will contain at least 4 billion viable organisms for adults and 1 billion for children. They are safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding and there are specific formulas available for babies and young children. These supplements should be refrigerated in order to stay fresh. For more information, check out the US Probiotics website.

As always, please consult your health practitioner with questions about your specific health issues and before adding new supplements into your daily routine.

Do you have a supplement that you recommend? Do you have a success story about using probiotics for your family? Please leave a comment and share your experience!

It has been a rough year for many families dealing with winter colds, flu and infections. I interviewed naturopathic physician Holly Beckwith to find out more about how parents can support their kids’ immune systems year-round.

The Tranquil Parent: What can parents do to keep their kids healthy?

Holly Beckwith: There are a few key things that parents can do to help support their child's immune system year-round. Eating a healthy, well-rounded diet is very important. I think it is essential to eat seasonal, locally grown foods. Unfortunately, that means no peaches in January! A breastfeeding mama should eat lots of fruit and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens such as kale and collard greens. If your little one is having a hard time eating a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, then I would recommend a multivitamin. I am not a big proponent of supplementation for kids, but I think a multivitamin, especially during the cold and flu season, is warranted.

The two supplements that have a positive effect on the immune system are probiotics and fish oil. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria found in our guts. A child's gut can lack enough of these healthy bacteria if they have ever been on antibiotics or if their mom was on antibiotics during pregnancy, they were born via c-section (babies are inoculated with this good bacteria as they pass through the birth canal), or if their digestive system isn't working properly. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that have immune boosting properties, as well as a whole host of other benefits. I like using cod liver oil in the winter because it contains Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also very important for immune health.

TTP: If a child is already getting sick, what can we do to help them fight the infection?

Beckwith: First, determine what kind of infection they are fighting. If it is a basic cold, I would encourage the child to rest as much as possible, exclude sugar and dairy from the diet and increase fluids.

I am a big fan of using hydrotherapy with kids. Alternating hot and cold towels to the chest or sinuses can help loosen phlegm and relieve symptoms. A recent study was published that compared cough medicine to honey. The honey actually worked better than the cold medicine to relieve the cough. I recommend a teaspoon of raw local honey for children older than one year every few hours [Editor’s note: Doctors say to never give honey to a child under one year old due to certain bacteria they cannot tolerate].

Herbs such as Echinacea and Oregon-grape can be used at the first sign of a cold. It is important to establish a relationship with a practitioner who is experienced in using herbs to ensure safety and to get the proper dosage. I often find the dosage for an acute illness has to be high for the first few days and then can be tapered off as the child gets well.

Breastfeeding moms can take immune stimulating herbs, like Echinacea, to treat infants through breast milk. I have recently been using high dose Vitamin D to treat certain illnesses with great results. I would recommend this only under the supervision of a physician due to the risk of overdose.

TTP: How can parents determine when to treat a fever?

Beckwith: Fever is one of the most common concerns parents have when their child is sick. Fever is not a disease, but just a symptom of the body fighting an infection. In most cases, it is clear what is causing the fever: usually an ear infection, stomach virus or sore throat. If the cause is not known and the fever is getting worse over the course of a few days, it is important to rule out urinary tract infection and other more serious illnesses. As a general rule of thumb, I ask parents how their child is acting. If they are eating and drinking, happy and playing normally, then I say to let the fever do its job. If they are not drinking fluids and acting lethargic or really upset, then I tell them to bring the fever down. I do not focus on the number on the thermometer but on the way the child is acting.

Dehydration can occur quickly in babies and children so it is very important to keep a close eye on them during a fever. Fevers will often spike during the night. Before reaching for the Tylenol, try a tepid bath. This is very effective at bringing down the fever. Homeopathy can also help with fever and make the child more comfortable.

Dr. Holly Beckwith has a family practice in Portland, Oregon. She loves encouraging her patients to live as healthy and happy as possible!