Did you ever wake up with red or itchy eyes? Most common among children, these symptoms may be because of the notorious condition called “pink eye.”
Pink eye is extremely common and, most of the time, it isn’t serious. But it can be highly contagious and it can become serious. Seek care quickly if you have redness in your eyes and you don’t know the cause or suspect you have pink eye.
That said, be careful of diagnosing pink eye by yourself. There are many conditions and circumstances that can cause redness in your eyes. People often guess they have pink eye when some other irritation maybe the cause of the redness.
Conjunctivitis
The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. The pink or reddish color comes from inflammation of the area, which is called the conjunctiva.
Causes and Symptoms
What causes pink eye? And how do you know what type you have?
First, you can get a red coloration in the eyes for a variety of reasons. They include:
- Viral infection
- Bacterial infection
- Allergies
- Chemicals in the eye
- Foreign object (including, sometimes, extended wear contact lenses)
- Blocked tear duct (most common in newborns)
Contrary to popular belief, conjunctivitis isn’t always caused by questionable hygiene practices. Occasionally, you may be able to get medication if your doctor determines that the infection is bacterial. But if it’s viral, there is no cure. And you may have to wait for the infection to run its course, just like the flu or common cold.
Next, if you believe you have pink eye, you may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
- Gritty feeling
- Redness
- Itchiness
These 3 symptoms are the most common. They can occur in both eyes, or just one of them.
Additionally, your eyes may leak a white or yellow discharge that leaves a crust around your eyes. The discharge may make it difficult to open your eyes in the morning. In some cases, however, you may just experience tearing and redness from the affected eye(s).
Home Remedies for Pink Eye
Treatment is relatively simple for some types of pink eye, but if symptoms persist, consult a doctor. If the cause is viral, bacterial or allergy-related, it should be diagnosed. For common pink eye, however, you rarely need to seek medical help. The redness and irritation often goes away on its own, although the symptoms may be uncomfortable.
Expect to see pink eye symptoms for 7 – 10 days. Occasionally the condition lasts a little longer, but that’s still no cause for alarm. (For recommendations of when to seek medical help, keep reading.)
In the meantime, try these home remedies for pink eye:
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Use a Compress
Soak a lint-free cloth in cool water. Wring the excess water out of the cloth thoroughly and gently press it on your eye. If warm water feels better, you can use that instead.
Furthermore, if you only have one eye red due to infection, keep the cloth away and out of the other eye. Otherwise, you may infect that eye, too. You can try the compresses periodically throughout the day for several minutes each time.
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Use Eye Drops
If the itchiness is bothering you, you can try over-the-counter eye drops. Make sure the type you use is labeled “lubricating” or “artificial tears.” Ironically, avoid ones that treat “red eyes.” They may mask the course of your pink eye infection.
In addition, if your pink eye is caused by allergies, you may want to try refrigerating the eye drops. If your pink eye is due to viral or bacterial infection, however, make sure that no one else uses the drops.
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Wear Your Backup Pair of Glasses
Take a break from wearing contact lenses. If you must wear something to see properly, try grabbing your backup pair of glasses instead.
You may have to throw out your contact lenses and the case, too. Keep them and you may run the risk of re-infecting yourself.
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Wash Everything
You may want to wash your clothes and pillowcases often if you have pink eye. Showering before bed may help, too. Most critically, wash your hands often to limit spreading any contagious form of pink eye.
Seeking Medical Attention
Conjunctivitis can require a doctor’s visit. Seek medical help if you notice any of the following:
- Changes in vision
- Fever
- Eye Pain
- Light sensitivity
- A pre-existing condition or impaired immune system
If you or your loved one experiences any of these symptoms, the problem may not be pink eye. Swollen or red eyes may also be an indicator of a sty or different inflammation.
If you don’t get relief from the home remedies or if your infection seems to worsen, it may be time to see your doctor.
Pink Eye Prevention
There are a few precautions you can take to minimize your risk of pink eye or prevent spreading it:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your eyes (this applies to the contagious person and the someone who doesn’t want to get pink eye)
- Wash towels and pillowcases often, preferably in hot water
- Don’t share washcloths, towels, pillowcases, handkerchiefs
- Don’t share eye cosmetics, eye drops, or anything else that touches the eyes
- Avoid known allergens
Pink eye spreads quickly and is very contagious. It most commonly spreads by touching the eye. But infections are also spread through the nose and mouth. Use universal precautions if you or a household member has pink eye.
Final Thought
Conjunctivitis is a common occurrence, especially if you have children in your household. But simple home remedies for pink eye can help alleviate symptoms as you wait for the infection to pass. And keeping to the prevention tips may also help minimize the risk of it spreading to others in your home.
Lastly, if you find that you experience allergy-based pink eye on a regular basis, you may want to speak with your medical professional. Your doctor may be able to prescribe eye drops or medications to control your allergic reactions. If not, they may recommend over-the-counter drugs that can be effective, too.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/pinkeye-home-care#1
https://www.cdc.gov/features/conjunctivitis/index.html
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