Decode eye gunk: Here's what it means to wake up with it

We've all woken up with something funky in our eyes. Sometimes the gunk is easy to wipe away upon waking, and other times it remains irritating throughout the day.

Here's your comprehensive guide to decoding eye discharge. Continue reading to learn what it is, when to use home remedies and when to see a doctor.

Matted lashes in the morning. If you have trouble opening your eyes in the morning because your eyelashes are matted with discharge, you may be suffering from inflammation of the eyelid. The best home remedy for an inflamed eyelid is a warm compress. If this is a recurring problem, develop the good hygiene habit of washing the eyelid with baby shampoo diluted with water.

If you have this type of eye problem in conjunction with cold symptoms, the discharge is likely a sign of viral infection known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. Some of the best home remedies from Mayo Clinic include a cool or warm compress and over-the-counter artificial tears. You may also benefit from treating the eye with a solution made by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon raw honey in 1/4 cup distilled water. Mommy Potamus says to use a clean dropper to apply one or two drops of diluted honey in the eyes every few hours.

Stringy discharge and itchy eyes. Prevention explains that this type of discharge is a symptom of allergic conjunctivitis. While over-the-counter antihistamine eyedrops may help, you are likely to also benefit from applying a cool, wet green tea bag over the eye, as recommended by Dr. Axe. To prevent allergic conjunctivitis, close your windows, dust frequently and use an indoor air purifier. It is also wise to keep a journal to help identify possible allergens causing the irritation. Healthline urges readers to pay special attention to chemical scents like household detergents and perfume.

If you have these symptoms along with tenderness, you may be experiencing a stye or clogged gland at the base of the eyelid. This is often caused by an infected eyelash. To treat a stye at home, apply a warm compress -- and no matter what, do not try to squeeze the pus from the stye. This can cause the infection to spread to other areas of the eye.

These are just a few causes of eye discharge. If you wake up with crustiness in the eyes more than a few days in row and your eyes are in pain or appear red, it is important to seek medical attention. You also need to see a doctor if you experiences changes to vision, newfound sensitivity to light or excessive or constant eye discharge.