Conjunctivitis is a common eye infection, especially among children under five. It is an inflammation swelling and redness of the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
Treatment is dependent on the type of conjunctivitis affecting your child. Conjunctivitis can be an infectious or allergic condition. Infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected, and can last from two days to three weeks. Conjunctivitis can be caused by an infection either a virus or bacteria , which is highly contagious. Your child could develop infectious conjunctivitis if they come into contact with:.
A person with infectious conjunctivitis will remain infectious as long as there is a discharge from their eye. If your child has infectious conjunctivitis, do not allow them to share eye drops, tissues, make-up, towels or pillowcases with other people. Children with infectious conjunctivitis should be kept home from child care, kindergarten or school until the discharge from the eyes has cleared.
Be sure to regularly wash hands thoroughly to prevent the infection spreading to others. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by an allergic reaction.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. It is more likely in children with a history of other allergies. Signs and symptoms, which may include watery eyes and a mucous discharge, usually clear up on their own within about a day. If initial flushing doesn't resolve the symptoms, or if the chemical is a caustic one such as lye, you need to be seen by your doctor or eye specialist as soon as possible. A chemical splash into the eye can cause permanent eye damage. Persistent symptoms could also indicate that you still have the foreign body in your eye — or possibly a scratch over the cornea or the covering of the eyeball sclera.
In both children and adults, pink eye can cause inflammation in the cornea that can affect vision. Prompt evaluation and treatment by your doctor for eye pain, a feeling that something is stuck in your eye foreign body sensation , blurred vision or light sensitivity can reduce the risk of complications. Keep in mind that pink eye is no more contagious than the common cold.
It's okay to return to work, school or child care if you're not able to take time off — just stay consistent in practicing good hygiene. Newborns' eyes are susceptible to bacteria normally present in the mother's birth canal. These bacteria cause no symptoms in the mother. In rare cases, these bacteria can cause infants to develop a serious form of conjunctivitis known as ophthalmia neonatorum, which needs treatment without delay to preserve sight. That's why shortly after birth, an antibiotic ointment is applied to every newborn's eyes.
The ointment helps prevent eye infection. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.
Overview Pink eye conjunctivitis Open pop-up dialog box Close. The AOO note that the eyelids may look flaky, dry, or swollen. People with blepharitis may struggle with frequent pink eye. Treating the blepharitis may help. The trachoma infection, which is a type of chlamydia , may also cause chronic eye irritation and pink eye.
Babies may contract this infection when they pass through the birth canal, and symptoms may appear in toddlerhood. Though widespread throughout some parts of the world, trachoma is now rare in the United States. Carers should not assume that chronic eye redness is viral pink eye. Pink eye can spread through an entire daycare center or preschool. In some cases, a toddler may spread the infection to friends, who then transmit it back to the toddler. Simple prevention strategies can reduce the spread of the infection and lower the risk of recurrent pink eye:.
Pink eye is usually a temporary condition and not a sign of a serious eye health issue. Many children develop pink eye, and most recover within a week or two. When symptoms are severe or pink eye does not go away by itself, see a doctor. Prompt treatment can cure or prevent serious eye health issues. Pink eye is a relatively common eye condition.
There are many potential causes, but one of the most significant problems is how not to spread the…. The conjunctiva is a thin membrane between the inner eyelid and the white of the eye. Allergies and infections can lead to conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Causes of sore eyelids can include styes, chalazia, injuries, infections, and problems with contact lenses. Your doctor may recommend home remedies to treat viral pink eye.
There are no antibiotics or other medicines that can treat viral infections. They have to run their course through the body. A cool compress may also soothe the symptoms.
Your doctor may treat irritant-caused pink eye by flushing the eyes to remove the irritant from the eyes. Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious. These versions of pink eye are spread from coming into contact with a person who has pink eye or with something the infected person has touched. Even coughing and sneezing can send the infection airborne and allow it to spread from person to person. The amount of time you should keep your toddler out of daycare or preschool, and away from other children, varies depending on the type of pink eye your child has:.
Your child is curiously exploring the world. Touching objects and interacting with others is part of their development. Practice these prevention methods yourself, as well, to reduce the chance of contracting pink eye. You should see your doctor to determine the cause of the pink eye and get a treatment plan to clear up the condition.
Find out how long pink eye lasts and how to treat it fast. It's common for children to have minor colds and growing pains, but some physical symptoms can be a sign of a more serious health condition. Are there natural remedies for allergy symptoms?
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