conjunctivitis is one of the most commonly occurring infections during monsoon and this season the cases have seen a surge across india the disease is highly infectious and is also quite painful so what should be done to stay safe from the disease here are some professional tips from a doctor to prevent and stop the pink eye infectiondo not touch your eyesavoid rubbing or touching your eyes this may aggravate your disease or spread it to your other eye wash any discharge from around your eye multiple times a day with clean hands and a clean moist washcloth or fresh cotton balldont use contact lensesif you wear contact lenses remove them until your pinkeye has cleared up after that you may need to replace your lenses and case bacteria or viruses could be present and you could become ill againkeep washing your handsif you have conjunctivitis you can help restrict its spread by doing the following steps wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water wash them well before and after cleansing your infected eye or applying eye drops or ointment to itmake use of a compresssoak a clean lintfree cloth in cold water wring it out and gently rub it against your closed eyes you dont want to harm your eyes by pressing too hard if it feels better use warm water sanitize your surroundingskeep your mobile phones remotes and everyday items clean its also a good idea to wash towels and pillowcases frequently in hot water towels and cushions should never be shared with someone who has pinkeyestay hydrateddr rohini patil mbbs certified nutritionist says drink good amounts of water throughout the day to maintain proper hydration and health this will help keep your eyes moist and reduce dryness and irritation associated with conjunctivitisconsume vitamin crich foodsinclude foods rich in vitamin c to support your immune system and aid in the healing process citrus fruits such as oranges grapefruits and lemons strawberries kiwi guava and bell peppers are excellent sources of vitamin ceat foods high in betacarotenebetacarotene is converted to vitamin a in the body which is crucial for maintaining healthy vision and supporting the immune system incorporate foods like carrots sweet potatoes pumpkin butternut squash mangoes apricots spinach and kale into your diet says dr patilinclude omega3 fatty acidsomega3 fatty acids have antiinflammatory properties that may help reduce eye inflammation and support overall eye health include fatty fish such as salmon mackerel sardines and trout and plantbased sources of omega3s like flaxseeds chia seeds walnuts and hemp seeds in your dietavoid irritants and allergensduring conjunctivitis avoiding potential irritants and allergens that could exacerbate the condition is essential stay away from smoke dust pet dander and any substances that may trigger an allergic reactionfirst consult a doctor and then take the required measures for a healthy diseaseresistant life