Conjunctivitis:

Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye,” is an infection or enlargement of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of your eye and lining the inside of your eyelid. If you have pink eye, blood vessels in your conjunctiva bulge which gives your eye the pink or red color.

Symptoms of pink eye:

Symptoms of pink eye slightly varies with its type. In general, it’s important to talk with a doctor if you encounter any of the following symptom:

• reddish-pink eyes
• a scratchy sensation in the eyes
• a thick, watery discharge that accumulates around the eyes at night
• itching around the eyes
• An excessive quantity of tears

Types and causes:

Generally, pink eye is classified into three main categories namely, infectious, allergic and chemical.

1.Infectious conjunctivitis

• Bacterial pink eye is mainly caused by the streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria. It usually happens when you touch your eyes with dirty hands, share makeup, or come into physical contact with someone who has conjunctivitis.
• Viral pink eye is caused by common cold causing viruses. This can happen if someone with an upper respiratory infection coughs or sneezes near you. It can also happen when you have a cold virus and blow your nose too hard. This may spread the infection from your respiratory system to your eyes.

2.Allergic conjunctivitis

Most people with allergic pink eye suffer from seasonal allergies. They may get pink eye if they come in contact with an allergen, such as pollen. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (allergic type of pink eye) can develop if you don’t change your hard contact lenses or soft contact lenses frequently.

3.Chemical conjunctivitis

Chemical irritants like air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools, and other chemical exposure can cause pink eye.

How contagious is pink eye?

Pink eye can spread swiftly from one person to another. Pink eye caused by bacteria or viruses is highly contagious. For example, here’s a chance you could contract pink eye if someone with the viral pink eye touches their eye, touches your hand, and you touch your eyes. Pink eye is usually contagious as long as a person has symptoms.

Treatment for pink eye:

Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on its cause.

• Chemical conjunctivitis
  If you’re suffering with chemical pink eye, washing your eye with saline is one way to help reduce symptoms. Topical steroids could be prescribed if the condition is severe enough.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  For bacterial infections, antibiotics are the most common treatment. With the use of antibiotics, your symptoms may disappear within a few days, but it is important to finish your entire course of medication to reduce the risk of pink eye coming back.
• Viral conjunctivitis
  Most of the time, the viruses that cause common colds are typically the cause of viral conjunctivitis. There is currently no cure for these cold viruses, but symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in 7 to 10 days.

  In rare cases, other viruses such as herpes simplex or varicella-zoster virus may be involved, causing more serious infections. Antiviral treatments are available for these viruses, but these treatments are only used for this particular type of viral infection.

• Allergic conjunctivitis
  Your healthcare provider will prescribe an antihistamine to reduce inflammation in order to treat allergic pink eye.

How to prevent transmission of conjunctivitis?

Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent and stop the spread of conjunctivitis:

• Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands as much as possible.
• Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Use only clean tissues and towels to wipe your face and eyes.
• Avoid sharing makeup, particularly mascara and eyeliner, with other people.
• Wash pillowcases often.
• Avoiding poorly fitting contact lenses and decorative contact lenses can reduce your risk for pink eye.