What should patients with conjunctivitis eat?

Foods suitable for patients with conjunctivitis generally include wax gourd (winter melon), spinach, oranges, pears, and mung beans. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Wax Gourd (Winter Melon): With high water content and a mild nature, wax gourd helps hydrate the body and promote the elimination of metabolic waste. Consuming it during conjunctivitis can reduce internal damp-heat accumulation, preventing inflammation from worsening due to internal heat and humidity. Its gentle properties do not irritate the eyes, making it suitable for daily consumption.

2. Spinach: Rich in vitamin A and lutein, spinach supports eye health. Vitamin A helps maintain the integrity of the ocular mucous membrane and enhances its resistance, while lutein provides protective benefits to eye tissues. Eating spinach supplies essential nutrients that support eye tissue repair and help relieve discomfort caused by conjunctivitis.

3. Oranges: Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which boosts the body's immune defenses and helps reduce ocular inflammatory responses. Since conjunctivitis often involves mild inflammation, moderate consumption of oranges may help suppress the progression of inflammation and speed up the relief of symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching.

4. Pears: High in water content and naturally sweet, pears help rehydrate the body and supply various nutrients. They also have properties that clear heat and moisten dryness. During conjunctivitis, eating pears can prevent exacerbation of eye discomfort due to internal heat, while supporting overall bodily functions and promoting recovery through nutritional replenishment.

5. Mung Beans: Commonly used in traditional remedies to clear heat and remove dampness, mung beans help eliminate excess internal damp-heat. As conjunctivitis is sometimes associated with damp-heat conditions, consuming mung bean soup or porridge can help regulate the internal environment, reduce the impact of damp-heat on the eyes, and create favorable conditions for resolving inflammation.

Patients with conjunctivitis should avoid spicy and greasy foods to prevent aggravating inflammation. Additionally, they should follow medical treatment, maintain proper eye hygiene, and avoid rubbing their eyes.