Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a scary condition. It comes on suddenly and affects the eyes, which are extremely sensitive. Pink eye is unsightly as it affects the lid covering the eye, making it appear pink or red. Pink eye is very common, and many people will encounter it at some point in their life. It is important to identify the symptoms and causes of pink and how it is best treated.
The providers at AFC Urgent Care Bedford can diagnose and treat your symptoms on the same day. Get relief for your pink eye or any other urgent medical condition you might have today in our walk-in clinic.
Symptoms of Pink Eye
Pink eye is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva or covering on the eye. While the infection is usually bacterial or viral, even an allergic reaction can cause pink eye.
At its core, pink eye is the inflammation of the tiny blood vessels in the eye, causing the whole eye to appear red. The symptoms of pink are restricted to just the eyes only but may occur in both eyes if both are infected. Upon waking, there will often be a heavy crust or discharge around the eyes infected with pink eye.
Pink eye will cause itchiness, redness, tearing, and a feeling of something in the eye such as grit. Pink eye causes discomfort through the symptoms but should not damage the eye or vision.
How Pink Eye Spreads
Pink eye is a contagious condition. The condition is an infection that spreads by putting the bacteria or virus into the eye. This method is why it may occur in both eyes and why it often occurs in multiple people in families, schools, or workplaces.
Pink eye can be caused by various infections or issues that cause inflammation. These conditions include: allergies, foreign objects, blocked tear ducts in newborns, chemicals, viruses, and bacteria.
Preventing Pink Eye
Pink eye spreads just like a common cold. It is an infection that must make physical contact with a new eye to infect it. It is not entirely avoidable, but there are some methods to reduce the chances of infection. To reduce pink eye occurrence:
- Wash hands often and use clean towels.
- Don’t touch the eyes with your hands, especially without washing.
- Don’t share towels, makeup, or other items that are placed in the eye
- Change pillowcases frequently.
If infected, it is important to know that it can spread without taking precautions. Pink eye is not extremely dangerous, but its spread should be avoided. Newborns can develop conjunctivitis from bacteria in the birth canal, and this infection can cause permanent damage if not treated with antibiotic ointment.
Treating Pink Eye
Pink eye usually clears up on its own in a few weeks. The treatment options mainly focus on reducing discomfort caused by the symptoms. There is no known cure for conjunctivitis, and antibiotics should not be used.
Pink eye caused by allergies may require antihistamine drops to reduce the inflammation and reaction of the eyes that causes the pink eye. Doctors will often prescribe artificial tear drops to help relieve symptoms. A warm or cold compress applied frequently can also help reduce symptoms.
Those who use contact lenses will be instructed not to wear them while recovering from pink eye. To help reduce the chances of reinfection, contacts, contact cases, and makeup products used around infection may be discarded.
