Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is pinkeye? " пїЅ "Pinkeye " пїЅ is the everyday term people use to describe an infection or irritation of the eye. The medical term for pinkeye is "conjunctivitis. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

If you have pinkeye, your eye (or eyes) might: пїЅ пїЅ

Turn red or pink
Weep or ooze a gooey liquid
Become itchy or burn
Get stuck shut

Pinkeye can be caused by an infection, allergies, or an unknown irritation. пїЅ пїЅ

Can you catch pinkeye from someone else? " пїЅ Yes. When pinkeye is caused by an infection, it can spread easily. Usually, people catch it from touching something that has touched an infected persons eye. пїЅ пїЅ

If you know someone with pinkeye, avoid touching his or her pillowcases, towels, or other personal items. пїЅ пїЅ

When should I see my doctor or nurse? " пїЅ See your doctor or nurse if your eye is red, oozing, or in pain. пїЅ пїЅ

Can pinkeye be treated? " пїЅ Most cases of pinkeye go away on their own, without treatment. But, yes, it can be treated. пїЅ пїЅ

When pinkeye is caused by infection, it is usually caused by a virus, so antibiotics will NOT help. Still, pinkeye caused by a virus will go away on its own in a few days. Pinkeye caused by an infection with bacteria can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or gels. Pinkeye caused by other problems can be treated with eye drops normally used to treat allergies. These drops will not cure the pinkeye, but they can help with itchiness and irritation. пїЅ пїЅ

When using eye drops for infection, do not touch your good eye after touching your affected eye, and do not touch the bottle or dropper directly in 1 eye and then use it in the other. Both of these things can cause the infection to spread from 1 eye to the other. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I wear contact lenses? " пїЅ If you wear contact lenses and you have symptoms of pinkeye, it is really important to have a doctor look at your eyes. In people who wear contacts, the symptoms of pinkeye can be caused by serious problems. пїЅ пїЅ

During treatment for eye infections, you might need to stop wearing your contacts for a short time. Plus, you might need to throw away your contact lens case and carefully clean your contacts. If your contacts are disposable, you will want to throw them away and start fresh. пїЅ пїЅ

Can pinkeye be prevented? " пїЅ To keep from getting or spreading pinkeye, wash your hands often with soap and water. If washing is not possible, alcohol-based hand gels work, too. Also, avoid sharing towels, bed clothes, or other personal items with a person who has pinkeye. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15479 Version 7.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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