Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or allergies. It is highly contagious and can spread easily in school and home settings. Treatment includes eye drops and antihistamines, and recovery time depends on the underlying cause.
Conjunctivitis is more commonly referred to as pinkeye. In this condition, the material that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes excessive tearing, pain, and itching.
The condition is most commonly caused by a viral infection. It can also be caused by bacterial infections or allergies. There are rare causative factors in newborns and three to four week old babies.
In addition to watery eyes, those with conjunctivitis may find their eyes expel white or yellowish liquid. The person may find that, upon waking in the morning, his eyelashes have stuck together due to this fluid. The white part of the eye will look red or pink, hence the term pinkeye.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious and because they occur more frequently in children, it is difficult to prevent children from infecting both eyes. Generally, the infection starts in one eye, but because it can be painful and itchy, children often scratch the infected eye and then touch the good eye. The condition tends to jump from one child to another in school settings and in families with more than one child.
Children with viral or bacterial conjunctivitis should not attend school until they have been treated and are no longer considered contagious. While frequent hand washing can help prevent its spread, it’s not always feasible in a school setting. Viruses and bacteria can spread from a child touching another’s hand after touching their affected eye, or from an uninfected child touching surfaces, paper or fabric that an infected child has touched.
In the home environment, a child with this condition should be observed more carefully to avoid further spread of the infection. It’s a good idea to cover any soft surfaces your child will come across and put the soft toys away for a few days. Supporting hand washing and watching the child closely to see if she is touching the affected eye can reduce spread to other family members.
Common viruses like the yearly flu or the simple cold can cause viral conjunctivitis. The presence of inflammation should be a sign to alert your doctor, as in children, the little finger can often mean an ear or sinus infection. Treatment for both bacterial and viral forms are eye drops used two to three times a day. The bacterial type usually disappears a few days after treatment, but a viral illness can last up to two weeks.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can result from a preliminary viral conjunctivitis or occur on its own. Common bacteria associated with the little finger are strep and staphylococcus. In rare cases, babies who pass through the birth canal can get gonorrhea or chlamydia from an undiagnosed mother. This type is much more serious, as it can lead to permanent eye damage. Conjunctivitis in an infant should always be reported to a doctor.
Babies between the ages of three and four weeks may also present with pink eye when they have blocked tear ducts. If the condition persists, minor surgery can open the tear ducts to give the eyes the ability to drain fluid. In most cases, blocked tear ducts do not require surgery, and tear duct massage is used daily to help clear the blockage.
Fortunately, conjunctivitis caused by allergies is not contagious, but it is still necessary to consult a doctor to determine that it is not of infectious origin. In most cases, treating the underlying symptoms and reducing exposure to known allergens treats this form of pink eye. Doctors will likely prescribe antihistamines to reduce inflammation.
Recovery time from allergic conjunctivitis depends on the effectiveness of antihistamines and the ability to remove those affected by histamine-provoking situations. Some with seasonal allergies endure a little inflammation each year, which decreases as airborne allergens become less common.
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