Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the clear tissue covering the eye's white part and the eyelid's inside. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. While the condition is often mild, it is highly contagious in its viral and bacterial forms. This means knowing when to stay home and how long to prevent spreading it to others is essential.
For same-day pink eye treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our urgent care center is conveniently located at 90 South Livingston Avenue in Livingston, NJ. Walk in or plan your visit in advance below!
Can I Go to Work with Pink Eye?
If you have viral or bacterial pink eye, staying home from work until your symptoms improve, especially if your job involves close contact with others, is best. Generally, you should avoid work for 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic eye drops for bacterial pink eye. For viral pink eye, you may be contagious for up to 7–10 days from the first appearance of symptoms.
To reduce the spread:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Use a clean towel or tissue each time you wipe your face
- Do not share makeup, pillowcases, or personal items
When Can My Child Return to School or Daycare?
For children, pink eye guidelines are similar. Most schools and daycare centers allow children to return 24 hours after starting antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis. Children should stay home for viral cases until there is no eye discharge and symptoms are improving, which may take several days.
If your child has allergic conjunctivitis, they can usually attend school without delay, as it is not contagious. However, discussing their symptoms with a healthcare provider to confirm the cause is still a good idea.
Pink Eye Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis:
- Bacterial pink eye: Often treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointments, which speed recovery and reduce contagiousness.
- Viral pink eye: Usually resolves on its own within 1–2 weeks; treatment focuses on symptom relief using lubricating eye drops and cool compresses.
- Allergic pink eye: Managed with antihistamines or anti-inflammatory eye drops, along with avoiding known allergens.
- Irritant-induced pink eye: Symptoms improve after removing the source of irritation and rinsing the eye.
While most cases of pink eye are mild, some can lead to more serious eye problems if not treated properly. If you experience severe redness, eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or worsening symptoms, it’s essential to visit urgent care.
Get Walk-In Pink Eye Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Livingston
At AFC Urgent Care Livingston, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions, including pink eye. Our experienced providers can determine the cause of your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. Visit our walk-in clinic to get the expert care you need with no appointment required. Our urgent care center is conveniently located at 90 South Livingston Avenue in Livingston, NJ, and we provide immediate care 7 days a week with no appointment necessary. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about pink eye treatment, please contact our team directly at (973) 601-2626.
