Oh, Pink Eye, you are truly one of the most annoying viruses. I’m here to tell you how to get rid of Pink Eye, how your child may have contracted it and how you can prevent it.
Pink Eye (also called conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen. It’s pretty common and usually lasts up about 7-10 days. Pink Eye is very contagious and can spread easily and quickly from person to person so it would be best to keep your child home from school and daycare until it improves.
Symptoms of Pink Eye
- Redness or swelling of the white of the eye
- Swollen eyelids
- Increased amount of tears
- White, yellow or green eye discharge
- Itchy eyes
- Burning eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Crusting of the eyelids or lashes
Causes of Pink Eye
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Allergens like dust mites or pets
- Irritants like chlorine in pools
How to Treat Pink Eye
- Pink Eye usually disappears on its own
- Keep your child’s infected eye clean and be sure he/she isn’t rubbing it and spreading it to their other eye to speed up healing
- Eyedrops
- Antibiotic ointment
Preventing Pink Eye
- Proper hand washing
- Advising your children to not share towels or other linens
- Not sharing eye makeup or contact lens equipment
- Avoid wearing both makeup and contact lenses until it has cleared up, also remember to throw out any possibly infected makeup
How to Tell if it’s Serious
- Moderate to severe pain in your child’s eye
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Intense redness in the eye
- If the bacterial pink eye has not improved after 24 hours of antibiotic use
- Symptoms that get worse or don’t improve
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