Conjunctivitis
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is a type of eye infection that specifically affects the membranes under the eyelids and covering the white portions of the eye. Note that the term specifies where on the eye that the infection has occurred, not the cause. Conjunctivitis may have a viral, bacterial, allergic, or chemical cause, just like other types of eye infections.
What are the symptoms?
Pink Eye is a particularly common eye problem in newborns and children. Symptoms include redness in the whites of the eyes or eyelids (which led to the name Pink Eye), tearing, and itchiness.
How to stop the spread of conjunctivitis
Bacterial and viral forms of conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. It is easy to spread the infection from one eye to the other or from one child to the other. Sharing a towel, swimming with an infected child, or picking up a used tissue can be enough to transmit the infection.
To help stop the spread of pink eye, wash your hands often, especially after treating the infected eye, and teach your children to do the same. Also make sure that your child knows not to touch the eye, even if it is itchy or watery, with his or her bare hands. Be sure not to share any wash cloths, eye makeup, handkerchiefs, or tissues until a week after the infection is passed.
As a further precaution, it is a good idea to keep the infected person’s laundry, including clothes, linens, and towels, separate from the rest of the family, and to wash them in hot water between uses.
When to see your doctor
Although this type of eye infection is normally not serious, it is a good idea to consult with a doctor if your child has it.
Some types of pink eye can be treated with antibiotics, ibuprofen, or antihistamines, and your doctor can also ensure that the infection is truly conjunctivitis and not a more serious condition.
