I think I might have pinkeye!?

Question

My left eye started feeling kind of swollen and sticky, and it's kinda red. I don't have health insurance yet, so I don't want to go to the doctor. I could call in to work tommorrow, but will I need a doctor's note? What should I do?

Answer 1

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) can be infectious or noninfectious. Infectious pink eye is contagious. Infectious pink eye can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Avoiding contact with infected persons, disinfection of household surfaces, and good hygienic practices can help prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.
Noninfectious pink eye can be caused by allergy, chemical irritation, underlying inflammatory diseases, or trauma.

Viral Conjunctiva Symptoms

Watery eyes accompanied with discharge
Irritation
Usually starts with one eye and can spread
Contagious

The leading cause of a red eye is virus infection. Viral pink eye symptoms and signs are usually associated with more of a watery discharge, not green or yellow in color, and is frequently associated with viral "cold-like" symptoms. The eyelids may be swollen. Sometimes looking at bright lights is painful. While viral pink eye may not require an antibiotic, those affected should see a doctor, as occasionally this form of pink eye can be associated with infection of the cornea, (the clear portion of the front of the eyeball). This infection must be correctly detected and treated. Viral pink eye is highly contagious. Viral pink eye usually resolves in seven to ten days after symptoms appear.


Bacterial Conjunctiva Symptoms

Watery eyes accompanied with yellow or green discharge
Irritation
Usually starts with one eye and can spread
Contagious

The bacteria that most commonly cause infectious pink eye are staphylococci, pneumococci, and streptococci. The discharge commonly accumulates after sleeping. Affected children may awaken most unhappy that their "eyes are stuck shut," requiring a warm wash cloth applied to the eyes to remove the discharge and lots of reassurance that their "eyes still work!" This bacterial pink eye responds to repeated warm wash cloths applied to the eyes (try applying these to your child's eye one eye at a time during a favorite video!) and antibiotic eye drops or ointment prescribed by your doctor.

Be careful not to use medication prescribed for someone else, or from an old infection, as these may be inappropriate for your current infection or may have been contaminated from other infections by accidentally touching the medicine bottle to infected areas. A safe, effective, and "less-scary-for-your- child" method of putting drops into the eyes involves asking your child to lie down flat, suggesting she merely "close your eyes" and placing the recommended number of drops in the inner corner of the eye, next to the bridge of the nose, and letting them make a little "lake" there. When your child relaxes and opens the eyes, the medicine will flow gently into the infected mucous membranes without the need to "force open" the eyes.

When you feel that you or your child might have bacterial pink eye, it is very important to see your doctor immediately for several reasons. First, if the cause is a bacterial infection, an antibiotic will be needed to help the infection-fighting immune system to kill this infection. Secondly, if you are experiencing other symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, earache, etc., there is a good chance that these symptoms are caused by the same bacteria and an oral antibiotic may very well be needed to reach these germs along with the antibiotic drops or ointment for the eyes. Finally, your doctor will want to exclude the possibility that the infection has spread to areas where the symptoms may not yet be recognizable.

Rick the Pharmacist

Answer 2

is the white of the eye pink/bloodshot looking and mattery?? You are very contagious... wash everything and your hands all the time. The meds that the dr will give you are either eye drops or an ointment. If you've never sen or had pinkeye...then you need to go in. the dr will give you a note.

Answer 3

It really depends where you work. If you could, wear sunglasses all day during work so no one notices.
A doctor may give you a diagnosis and an excuse but all he can do is give you medicine to make it disappear faster. In a couple of days your pinkeye will be gone. Its a very quick disease.

Answer 4

actually, some places don't want you to come into work with pink eye (which you probably do have) because it is SO contagious. And you'll need prescription eye drops to get rid of it, so you're gonna have to break down and go. Otherwise, it'll keep getting worse. And I know it's not comfortable.

Answer 5

health insurance or not you need to go and see a doctor...it will not clear up without antibiotics...there should be no reason for you to call into work tomorrow...you're contagious but it isn't like it's the flu...but you need to go to the doctor

Answer 6

try hot packs and some allergy eye drops ,from the store.. more then likely you need antibodic eye drops good luck

Answer 7

Yeah, an take lots of vitamin C too!

Answer 8

sorry you got to see a doctor.

seriously.. no joking pink eye is nasty.. you'll be miserable without antibiotics and cleanser.

Answer 9

use cleareyes