Pink eye is an infection that occurs on the clear tissue on the white part of the eye. Inflammation makes the blood inside the eye more visible, which is why the eye becomes red. The medical name for pink eye is conjunctivitis. It is a common disease that mostly afflicts young children, but can sometimes also affect adults.
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There are many different causes of pink eye, including viruses, bacteria, allergic reactions, and irritants such as dust or soap. Still, the symptoms are the same: swelling, redness, itchiness or a burning sensation in the eye, and discharge that crusts over the eyelashes.
It can be difficult to tell whether you are suffering from viral or bacterial pink eye. Viral pink eye mostly starts in one eye and spreads to the other. It also makes your eyes watery. In contrast, bacterial pink eye starts from an infection in the ear or throat, which then spreads to the eyes.
Without treatment, pink eye mostly cures itself within 7 to 14 days. However, it is highly contagious as long as its symptoms remain. These symptoms mostly resolve within 3-4 days but may remain for around a week in severe cases. This timespan may be different from patient to patient.
Sometimes, pink eye can be serious. The best course of action is to see an eye doctor immediately once you notice any symptoms. There is a chance that pink eye could lead to vision loss in the future, if not treated promptly.
Be very cautious during the contagious stage of pink eye. Refrain from touching or rubbing your eyes. Although you will be tempted to, this will only worsen the condition and make it more likely that you will spread it to someone else through touch. You should never share your eye makeup or contact lenses with anyone.
When suffering from bacterial pink eye, you should use antibiotic drops. If it is viral pink eye, you can cover your eyes with a wet cloth several times a day to reduce dryness and irritation. Just make sure that cloth doesn’t touch anything else!
There are many precautions that we can take to avoid pink eye. Avoid rubbing your eyes if your hands are not washed. When swimming in public places, wear swimming goggles to avoid bacteria entering your eyes. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing.
Pink eye may not seem like a serious disease, but it should be taken seriously, as it can lead to further eye problems, especially for those with weak immune systems. It is better to stay at home or keep your children at home until the contagious stage of pink eye has passed to stop it from spreading.
