| Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, can be caused by | | | | genitals. |
| bacterial or viral infections or by allergic reactions to | | | | Conjunctivitis is one of the most common and |
| dust, pollen, and other materials. Pinkeye can be | | | | treatable eye infections in children and adults. Trauma |
| caused by many of the bacteria and viruses | | | | or foreign object in the eye should be considered |
| responsible for colds and other infections, including ear | | | | when evaluating pink or red eyes. |
| infections, sinus infections, and sore throats and by the | | | | Cool or warm compresses and acetaminophen or |
| same types of bacteria that cause the transmitted | | | | ibuprofen may make a child with pinkeye feel more |
| diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea. Pink eye caused | | | | comfortable. Practicing good hygiene is the best way |
| by bacteria, viruses, and STDs can spread easily from | | | | to control the spread of pink eye. Antihistamines - |
| person to person, but is not a serious health risk if | | | | these help to decrease histamine release which may |
| diagnosed promptly. Pinkeye in child care settings is | | | | help to decrease the itchy, watery eyes. Nonsedating |
| most often due to bacterial or viral infections. Pinkeye | | | | antihistamines - work similar to antihistamines but |
| also can be caused by allergies. These cases tend to | | | | without the side effect of making your child drowsy. |
| happen more frequently among kids who also have | | | | Wash all infected towels, face cloths and bed linens |
| other allergic conditions, such as hay fever. Some | | | | separately from the family's other laundry. Use |
| triggers of allergic conjunctivitis include grass, ragweed | | | | detergent and the hottest water setting. Boiling them is |
| pollen, animal dander, and dust mites. Sometimes a | | | | even better. Wash all infected towels, face cloths and |
| substance in the environment can irritate the eyes and | | | | bed linens separately from the family's other laundry. |
| cause pinkeye; for example, chemicals and air | | | | Use detergent and the hottest water setting. Do not let |
| pollutants. | | | | your child share towels or washcloths with anyone |
| Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria, | | | | else, because this could spread infection. |
| irritating substances , allergens or transmitted diseases | | | | Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) Treatment Tips |
| (STDs). It can usually be treated with antibiotics. Red | | | | 1. Don't touch your eyes with your hands. |
| and sore eyes may be part of viral respiratory | | | | 2. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. |
| infections, including measles. Children with pinkeye | | | | 3. Change your pillowcase often. |
| complain of a scratchy feeling or pain in their eyes and | | | | 4. Discard eye cosmetics, particularly mascara. |
| may have a lot of watery or pus discharge. Red and | | | | 5. Don't use anyone else's eye cosmetics or personal |
| sore eyes may be part of viral respiratory infections, | | | | eye-care items. |
| including measles. Viral conjunctivitis can't be treated | | | | 6. Wear glasses instead of contact lenses. |
| with antibiotic eyedrops or ointment. Like a common | | | | 7. Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed |
| cold, you can use an over-the-counter remedy to | | | | towels, cups, and glasses. |
| relieve some symptoms, but the virus just has to run | | | | 8. Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or |
| its course. Oral antibiotics in the form of pill, eye drops, | | | | ointment to your eye or your child's eye. |
| or ointment are usually prescribed for treatment. | | | | 9. Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that |
| Washing hands thoroughly can help prevent the | | | | were used for an infected one. |
| spread of this type of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can | | | | 10. Antihistamines - help to decrease histamine release |
| also be spread through hand contact when rubbing the | | | | which may help to decrease the itchy, watery eyes. |
| eyes or touching contact lenses after touching infected | | | | |