There are an assortment of things which can be used to treat bloodshot eyes. As with any medical condition, if it persists or grows worse, you should see a medical professional, as they can indicate a troublesome underlying medical condition. Since a bloodshot appearance is often caused by allergies, a doctor may also be able to prescribe specific medications to treat the allergies, which may eliminate other symptoms like a runny nose, wheezing, and blotchy skin.
When your eyes become bloodshot, it is an indicator that they are irritated. This irritation could be caused by dryness, environmental factors like smoke, or an allergic reaction to something you have eaten or been exposed to. Exhaustion and stress can also cause bloodshot eyes, as can dramatic weather or elevation changes in your environment. One way to get rid of red eyes is to take note of things which cause them, and to avoid these things.
To ease dryness, use artificial tears, which are available at many drugstores. Try to avoid medicated eye drops which claim to ease bloodshot eyes, as these products can be very drying. Although these drops will eliminate the signs of the problem, your eyes will still be irritated and inflamed. You can also treat the dryness with moist compresses; cool compresses often feel very good on bloodshot eyes, and warm compresses can help to flush out bacteria in your eyes.
If you can tolerate it, rinse the eyes with a gentle flow of warm to cool water. Mildly saline eye washes like those sold with contact lenses can also help with bloodshot eyes. The rinsing can remove irritants which may be bothering your eye, and it can also bring moisturizing relief. After a rinse, pat your closed eyes dry gently with a clean cloth, and use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.
There are also lifestyle changes which can help to relieve bloodshot eyes. Getting plentiful sleep can help, as can smoking cessation and avoidance of smoky areas or areas with airborne particulates like sawdust, steel dust, and so forth. Upping your water intake can help, as can taking vitamin A and E supplements. Essential fatty acids also appear to be beneficial for dry eyes, especially if you consume vitamin B6 with them to help your body absorb them. These acids can be found in fish, seeds, some nuts, and leafy vegetables.