What is pink eye?
Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis, is a common issue occurred to human eye, which turns to Pink due to many reasons. Sclera, the white part of our eye, turns pink or red because of the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva.
The inflammation in eye’s blood vessels causes the white of our eye to appear red or pink. There should me many reasons for the pink eye or conjunctivitis.
About 15% – 40% people get pink eye due to seasonal allergies.
What are the Causes of Pink Eye :
There can be many reasons of Pink eye. Some due to allergies or some from infections. Here are some explanation on what are the causes of Pink Eye.
- Viral Infection:
- As one the most common cause of pink eye, which can happen due to colds, sore throats, or respiratory infections. It is termed as highly contagious but typically takes around a week or two to get cured on its own.
- Bacterial Infection:
- Some bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus can be the main culprit. There might be some severe symptoms like itching or watering of eyes leading to more redness.
- Allergic Reaction:
- Pink eye is a common issue which might get triggered due to allergies from dust, pet or even flower’s pollen. Pink eye caused by allergies are often accompanied by itching, redness in both eyes, and other allergy symptoms like sneezing.
- Irritants or Chemicals:
- When our eyes get in contact with some smokes, chlorine in swimming pools, it tends to become itchy and can cause Pink Eye or conjunctivitis. Some chemicals found in shampoo or soap can also lead to pink eye issue.
What are the Symptoms of Pink Eye:
Pink eye symptoms are visible and can be identified easily. Here are some lists of symptoms of pink eye which can help you to identify.
- Reddish or pink in one or both eyes.
- Itching or burning sensation in the eyes.
- Watery or thick discharge from the eyes, which may cause the eyelids to stick together, especially after sleep.
- Gritty feeling in the eyes.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Swollen eyelids.
Treatment and Prevention for Pink Eye:
So far, we can understand that there are no specific causes of Pink eye, and in most cases it is caused by allergies, chemicals or bacteria in contact. In the below para, we will get to know how we can treat or stop the pink eye infection.
- Viral Conjunctivitis : Applying warm compresses to alleviate symptoms, often it resolves on its own.
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Consult with you healthcare for recommended antibiotic eye drops.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis : Treated with allergy medications, antihistamine eye drops, or by avoiding the allergen.
- Irritant Conjunctivitis : Flush the eye with water and avoid the irritant.
Taking care of daily routine to cure pink eye problem.
- Wash your hands frequently using hand washes and avoid touching your eyes.
- Avoid using common items for personal use. Such as towels, pillow.
- If you wear contact lenses, follow proper hygiene and care instructions.
- Stay home from work or school if you have pink eye or conjunctivitis to prevent spreading it to others.
Health Tip : Pink eye is generally a mild and common condition, which can be caused by different reasons, but if symptoms persist or worsen, visit your doctor for checkup.
How long does pink eye last?
Depending on the cause of pink eye, it can stay upto 10 days or few weeks. In some bacterial infections, it can last upto 10 days. Pink eye caused by viral infection can stay upto two weeks.
If you notice that you have pink eye and it keeps worsening after a few days, it’s better to consult your health care.
Some commonly asked questions :
There is no specific reason for getting pink eye infections. It can happen because of many unidentified reasons. Some are viral, bacterial or allergic.
Yes, pink eye or conjunctivitis is very contagious.
Depending on symptoms, you can get rid of pink eye on its own or in some severe cases, consulting your health care is better.
An Expired product especially in medical terms can be very harmful and it might worsen the case. Since your eye is the most sensitive part of body, it is better to care it safely. If you have Pink eye, avoid use of expired eye drops and always consult your health expert before using any.
