How do you treat pinkeye?

Question

I'm pretty sure I have pinkeye because my eye is all red. How do you treat it and how long does it take to go away?

Answer 1

Pink eye or conjunctivitis refers to a redness or irritation of the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids and the membranes (conjuctiva) covering the whites of the eyes. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy- provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents, as well as to underlying diseases within the body. Viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis are common in childhood but can occur in people of any age. Overall however, there are many causes of pink eye. These can be classified as either infectious or noninfectious.

What infections cause pink eye and how are they treated?

Viral Pink Eye

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 Pink Eye

The bacteria that most commonly cause infectious pink eye are staphylococci, pneumococci, and streptococci. Bacterial pink eye symptoms include:

eye pain,
swelling,
redness, and
a moderate to large amount of discharge, usually yellow or greenish in color.
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.

Treatment and prevention of PINK EYE / CONJUNCTIVITIS
- Treatment depends on what is causing the pink eye / conjunctivitis and must be determined by a doctor.
- Infectious conjunctivitis spreads very easily! To prevent spreading the infection to the good eye or to others, the infected eye should not be touched with the hands.
- It is important to wash hands thoroughly and frequently to prevent spreading.
- Make-up and handkerchiefs should not be shared with an infected person.
- Contact lenses and eye make-up should not be worn until the problem has been resolved.
- Used make-up must be thrown away if the patient has been diagnosed with infectious conjunctivitis.
- Clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person should be washed.
- A warm compress may be helpful to relieve discomfort and removing "crust".
- Antibiotic or antiviral medication may be prescribed by the doctor for certain types of infectious conjunctivitis.
- If eye drops or an ointment is prescribed, the applicator tip and infected eye must never come in contact with one another. Antibiotics for the eye are available only by prescription.
- Allergens and other irritants such as smoke, which may cause allergic and mechanical conjunctivitis, should be avoided.
- If an irritant or foreign object is causing the pink eye / conjunctivitis, flushing of the eye with an eye-wash solution may be recommended. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- Certain over-the-counter eye drops or oral antihistamine medications may help reduce symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis or conjunctivitis caused by certain irritants. These are not effective for infectious conjunctivitis and should only be used to reduce symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)

Answer 2

HOW DO YOU TREAT IT? Most pinkeye will resolve with warm compresses alone. Doctors often give a prescription for eye drops. You may have also receive a oral antibiotic if your child's infection is more severe or if your child also has an ear infection. First lets go over the eye drops. You will need to do the following steps 4 times a day for 5 days.

Wash your hands

Place a warm wash cloth over the eyes as a warm compress

Use the wash cloth to wipe off the mucus in the eye

Place the wash cloth in the dirty clothes and don't reuse it until it's washed.

Massage the tear duct if you think its blocked ( your child will have almost constant tearing with clear tears and will be under 4 months of age ).

Wash your hands again, because pink eye is very contagious and you may spread it

Answer 3

Call your MD likely they will just call in the antibiotic eye drops for you.

Change your bed linens and don't share a towel.

For now do some soothing warm presses to your eye -
with a warm rag (and wash the rag) you are contagious until you use the drops a few times.

Answer 4

i would see a doctor asap,it could ethier be a stye.or pink eye.styes are kind of alike except it doesn't reqire antibiotics,pink eye does however.both are highly spreadable.use wark packs for temp,relief and swelling,pink eye as soon as treate dgoes away fast,styes differ person to person.i have had both lots of times.good luck.use hand sanitizer,and wash hands more frequently.do not rub eyes,take benadryl for itching if needed.

Answer 5

Keep hands away from your face it is very contagous. You will have to go to the doctor and get an antibiotic eye drops.

Answer 6

Antibiotics. It takes a few days to go away once treatment starts.

Answer 7

You have to go to the DR there are n home remedies i have ever heard of but don't be rubbing your eyes because it will spread from one eye to the other.

Answer 8

Go to the doctor and get a prescription.