Diabetes Mellitus and Tuberculosis
The Best Pink Eye Remedies: Medical And Natural Treatments
Key takeaways"Most commonly, it refers to infectious conjunctivitis. Green or yellow pus discharge usually indicates a bacterial infection, while clear or white discharge is more commonly viral in origin. Itching is most typical of allergic conjunctivitis."
The bad news is pink eye caused by an infection is incredibly contagious and fairly unpleasant. The good news is it's easily treated.
We consulted with several doctors around the country to learn more about pink eye, its causes, and how best to treat it.
Treatment for conjunctivitis varies. It all depends on whether you have the bacterial or viral form of the infection.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
If you have the bacterial form of conjunctivitis, you'll need to see a doctor to get an antibiotic. The prescription will be either an ointment or eye drops. "Oral antibiotics aren't necessary," Ticho said.
Viral conjunctivitis
This form of conjunctivitis is self-limiting. It lasts anywhere from a few days to several weeks, much like viral colds. It's not responsive to antibiotics. Common treatments include:
If you suspect that you have pink eye, see an ophthalmologist, a specialist in eye health, early in the course of the infection.
Everyone is at risk for pink eye. But school-aged kids are the most susceptible. Children come into close physical contact with other children during the day. Adults who live with kids who have been exposed to pink eye are prime candidates for infection as well.
"Kids are the main culprit," Dr. Robert Noecker, an ophthalmologist, told Healthline.
Noecker explained that both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are very robust. "They can live on a doorknob for a week," he said. He recommended thoroughly washing hands to prevent transmission.
Having pink eye isn't anyone's idea of a good time, but it's easy to treat. You'll generally be out of commission for about a week. That's from the first sign of infection until it's resolved. Prepare to see your doctor by making note of your symptoms, and the timeline in which you contracted the disease.
Once your physician has determined if your infection is viral or bacterial and has prescribed the right medication, you're well on your way to being clear-eyed and healthy.
3 Ways To Treat Pink Eye At Home - Business Insider
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is when the protective membrane that covers your eye — called the conjunctiva — becomes infected or inflamed. This can cause redness and irritation.
Here is a guide to the different types of pink eye and what you can do to treat conjunctivitis.
Types of pink eyeAccording to Ivan R. Schwab, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are several common culprits for most cases of pink eye:
How to treat pink eye at homePink eye will usually resolve on its own. A case of bacterial conjunctivitis might go away in about five days, says Schwab. But viral pink eye can take a couple of weeks before the infection is completely gone.
It's a good idea to go ahead and call your doctor if you think you have conjunctivitis, especially, "if you have pain and decreased vision," says Schwab. "That's a sign that you need to see your ophthalmologist."
Increased sensitivity to light is another reason to see your doctor, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Depending on the type of conjunctivitis you have, you can manage your symptoms at home with a few simple remedies:
1. Cold compressesCold compresses are a great way to soothe the irritation or itching of a case of pinkeye caused by a virus or allergies.
How to use them: Soak a clean washcloth in cold water. Wring it out, then fold in half and drape it over your eyes for a few minutes at a time.
2. Warm compressesSince eye discharge is common with bacterial infections, a warm compress is a great solution because it loosens up any dried mucus around your eye. But be careful not to make the water too hot, says Schwab. It should be comfortable to the touch.
How to use them: Soak a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the excess water, then place the warm damp cloth across your eyes. You can leave it there until it cools.
3. Artificial tearsAlso known as lubricating eye drops, artificial tears are readily available over the counter at your drugstore or big box store. These are especially useful if you have an irritative pink eye. They add moisture to your eyes, which helps flush the irritant out and lubricate dry eyes.
How to use them: Simply squeeze the drops in your eyes. You can use them as often as you need to if you're using a preservative-free version. If you use one that does contain preservatives, you may need to limit yourself to using them four times or less each day, since the preservatives may cause irritation if you use them too often. You might also consider sticking them in the fridge as the cooler drops might make your eyes feel better, says Schwab.
A few more tips for coping with pink eyePink eye can be contagious if it's bacterial or viral in nature. That's why, while you're recovering from pink eye, it's a good idea to embrace some basic hygiene measures:
And it may sound obvious but it's worth emphasizing: "Don't put stuff in your eye that's not approved to be put in your eye," Schwab says.
Insider's takeawayYou can treat pink eye with cold compresses, warm compresses, and artificial tears. If you start having pain and decreased vision in either eye, don't wait. Call your doctor right away.
What Is Pink Eye And How Do You Treat It? - AOL
There are four main types of conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye. They are viral, allergic, bacterial, and toxic/chemical. People can experience pink eye at any point during their lifetime.
Viral pink eye is the most common and is very contagious, often spreading among people like a common cold. Estimated to be approximately 65-90% of all conjunctivitis cases. Symptoms may or may not include red eyes, watery discharge, crusting of eyelashes early in the morning, pain, and itching.
It usually gets better on its own between three days and one week using cool, wet, cloth compresses for comfort. Viral conjunctivitis does not require antibiotic or prescription eye drops.
Allergic pink eye is the second most common form of pink eye and makes up approximately 15 to 20% of all cases. It is commonly caused by environmental exposures to pollen, plants, grass, and pets. Symptoms may or may not include red eyes, watery discharge, dry eyes, itchy eyes, foreign body or "scratchy" sensation, and eyelid swelling. It is not contagious and can be treated with over-the-counter remedies such as antihistamine eye drops or rewetting eye drops
It is estimated that there are only 135 cases of bacterial pink eye per 10,000 cases in the United States. It makes up roughly 1% of conjunctivitis cases. Out of these cases, more than 60% occur between the ages of 0-19 and it is more common between December and April. Symptoms may or may not include red eyes, continuous crusting or "eye mucus" throughout the daytime, watery discharge, and pain. Bacterial pink eye is contagious but more difficult to spread than viral pink eye. Even though bacterial conjunctivitis does not always require antibiotics, medical providers often prescribe medication eye drops to treat it.
People often experience toxic/chemical pink eye after exposure to smoke, fumes, household chemicals, chlorine in pools, or workplace hazards.
Symptoms often include redness, irritation, watery eyes, and pain. Alkali materials such as oven cleaner, baking soda, bleach, ammonia, and alkaline batteries pose a greater risk of damage than acid burns from vinegar, citrus fruits, borax, or sulfuric acid batteries. Immediate and thorough flushing of the eye with runny water for several minutes is crucial for minimizing damage. This type of pink eye is not contagious and does not require antibiotic eyedrops.
If someone experiences vision loss, recurrent infections, corneal involvement, severe pain or discharge due to pink eye or non-response to treatment, they should seek a referral to an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist.
No matter the type of pink eye, it's important to wash your hands often and not touch your eyes.
James Campbell, PA-C, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to patient care. He earned his medical education through the University of Nebraska while serving in the United States Air Force, where he completed 16 years of active duty and continues to serve in the reserves. With a deep passion for family medicine, James appreciates the variety it offers and enjoys building lasting relationships with his patients across all stages of life.
The post What is Pink Eye and how do you treat it? Appeared first on East Idaho News.
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