Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Preventing the Spread of Conjunctivitis. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
Viral pink eye vs. Treating pink eye. Pink eye prevention. When to see your doctor. Read this next. The Best Pink Eye Remedies. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Allergic Conjunctivitis. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Do Antibiotics Treat Pink Eye? Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O. Chronic allergic conjunctivitis, which is a long-term problem, can occur all year and can happen due to food or animal dander, for example.
People with allergic conjunctivitis will also have red, watery, and sore eyes, but this type of pink eye is distinguished by severe itching and allergen exposure. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious, and they are spread as long as a person presents symptoms.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious. A comprehensive eye exam can diagnose the problem and diagnose the type of conjunctivitis. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can then determine the proper treatment. Treatment for bacterial and viral conjunctivitis will also prevent the spread of the condition. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are used to treat bacterial pink eye. The condition may improve after three or four days of treatment, but patients need to take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent recurrence.
Viral conjunctivitis cases cannot be cured with antibiotics, and the virus will have to run its course and it usually disappears in up to 14 days or, in some cases, three weeks.
Doctors may prescribe antiviral medications to treat more serious forms of conjunctivitis such as conjunctivitis caused by the herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus. Conjunctivitis is a common problem in children, and it can be challenging to give them eye drops or ointments. The following tips can make the process easier and safe:.
Pink eye is still contagious when you have the symptoms. During this phase, the best thing is to avoid crowded places and wash your hands frequently. That way, you can avoid passing it on to other people. Antihistamines are the most efficient medication to treat allergic conjunctivitis, and they can reduce symptoms like swelling and itching. The symptoms will also disappear when the cause of the allergy is removed.
People with seasonal allergies are recommended to wash their face frequently and wear hats. There are simple habits that may prevent the spread of conjunctivitis when someone is infected. Good personal hygiene is the best way to prevent spreading pink eye. People who caught pink eye or are around someone who has pink eye should wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Bacterial Conjunctivitis. Show references Jacobs DS. Accessed June 10, American Optometric Association. Jensen TB expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 19, Prednisone risks, benefits Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
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