The ultimate guide to pink eye

Your alarm goes off and you turn to check the time, but wait, you can't see the clock because your eye is crusted shut. It's the dreaded pink eye.

Many parents know pink eye—or conjunctivitis—is inevitable, especially if your kid attends school or daycare, and it can be difficult to prevent its spread to others. Yet, there is a lot more to know about pink eye. For instance, not all forms of pink eye are contagious or require medication to clear up.

Symptoms of pink eye

There are three types of pink eye. Symptoms for pink eye may depend on the type of pink eye you or your child are experiencing.

• Bacterial pink eye: Typically, only one eye will turn pinkish-red and will have thick, yellow or greenish-yellow discharge. This discharge can crust around the eye and make it difficult to open your eye after sleeping. Bacterial pink eye is contagious and is cleared up with prescription antibiotic eye drops.
• Viral pink eye: One or both eyes may water, turn pinkish-red and possibly become itchy or sensitive to light, but without the discharge. Oftentimes, viral pink eye follows a cold, flu or sore throat. Viral pink eye is contagious and just like the common cold, there is no cure. Let the virus run its course over a few days and apply a warm compress to your closed eyelids to relieve symptoms.
• Allergic pink eye: Both eyes are typically affected, but this form of pink eye is not contagious. Seasonal allergies cause the red eyes, along with typical symptoms such as stuffiness and a runny or itchy nose. Antihistamines or seasonal allergy medications may provide some relief.

How to stop the spread of pink eye

The main reason bacterial and viral pink eye spread quickly is from touching your eye with your hands or other contaminated objects. Here are some initial precautions or treatment options you can start at home:

• Practice good hand hygiene; wash your hands frequently and do not rub your eyes.
• Clean away any discharge with a warm washcloth. Do not reuse the washcloth. If pink eye affects only one eye, do not touch both eyes with the same cloth.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after beginning antibiotic drops to treat bacterial pink eye.
• Launder towels, washcloths or bedding that come in contact with your eye area separately from the rest of your laundry.
• Dispose of contact lenses, cases and cleaning solution used since contracting pink eye.
• Get rid of eye makeup used before or during the infection.

Clearing up conjunctivitis myths

Let's bust the myths that persist now that you have the facts about pink eye.

• Only children can get pink eye. It sounds too good to be true, because it is. Pink eye can affect anyone. The high rate of infection among children is usually a result of not taking precautions against spreading the infection.
• Infection can spread from a glance. This may sound a bit far-fetched, but it is a common misconception. So far, medical professionals have not discovered a single disease spread through simple eye contact.
• Pink eye can cause blindness. While embarrassing and uncomfortable, pink eye is a minor infection. In fact, many cases of pink eye go away without treatment in seven to 10 days. You should consult with an optometrist or a healthcare provider if you experience fever, rash, persistent headache, nausea or changes in eye discharge. These signs of pink eye may indicate a more serious condition.
• Antibiotics are always needed to cure pink eye. It’s important to remember that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. They do not work for viral or allergic pink eye. Viral and allergic pink eye usually clear up on their own.
• Farting on a pillow can cause pink eye. This is a popular myth among school-age pranksters that asserts a person who uses a pillowcase that a practical joker farted on will later contract pink eye. You cannot get pink eye from a fart. Flatulence is primarily methane gas and does not contain bacteria. Additionally, bacteria die quickly outside the body.

Talk with your optometrist, healthcare provider or do an online visit if you're experiencing the gunky discharge signs of bacterial pink eye. If you experience fever, rash, persistent headache, nausea or changes in eye discharge, you should see an optometrist, clinic provider or urgent care provider.