Who can get Conjunctivitis?
By: Brian HarmonTotal Views: 39, Word Count: 654,
Conjunctivitis is the name of a swelling of the thin, clear conjunctiva that covers the white of the eye and the exterior of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis, normally known as pink eye, is most often caused by a disease. It also can be caused by chemical irritation, bacterial infectivity and allergies. Let’s see some information about who can get conjunctivitis, how it is treated and what the preventive measures for pink eye are.
Who Can Get Conjunctivitis?
Anybody can get conjunctivitis. It can be spread from person to person. It is infectious and can be spread especially in crowded places like schools, offices, etc. You can avoid or cure it using certain methods.
Symptoms of Conjunctivits
Symptoms of conjunctivitis may include the following:
- Irritation and Reddishness
- You cannot survive bright light
- You have irritation or a gritty feeling in the eye
- Puffed up eyelids
- Your eyelids may be stick together or have crusty debris, mainly in the morning because of tearing and discharge.
Virus may begin in only one eye, but often stretches to include both.
How is Pinkeye Treated?
The treatment for pinkeye depends on the cause.
- Pinkeye caused by bacteria, including STDs is generally treated with antibiotics in the form of eye drops, ointments, or pills.
- Eye drops or gels may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid for three to four times a day for five to seven days. Pills perhaps will need to be taken for several days.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis possibly is extremely contagious. Avoid making contact with others and wash hands frequently.
- Use water to wash the material from the eye for five minutes for pinkeye caused by an irritating cause.
- In the case the conjunctivitis is caused by alkaline or acid material such as bleach, you should call the doctor.
- Allergy related conjunctivitis should get better once the allergy is treated and the allergen removed.
- You should see your doctor if you have conjunctivitis that is associated to an allergy.
How to Avoid Spreading Pinkeye?
- Do not touch or wipe the infected eye(s)
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap
- Wash any release from your eyes a number of times a day by a fresh cotton ball or paper towel.
- Wash your pillowcases, bed linens, and towels in hot water and detergent
- Don’t wear any eye makeup
- Never wear another person's contact lenses
- Wear eyeglasses in its place of contact lenses. Dispose of disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases.
- Stay away from sharing common things such as unwashed towels and glasses
- Wash your hands after applying the eye drops to your eye or your child's eye
- Do not apply eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected eye
- In case your child has bacterial or viral pinkeye, keep your child home from school or day care until he or she is no longer infectious.
How Long is Conjunctivitis Contagious?
Study says that conjunctivitis is contagious up to 14 days only if it is viral conjunctivitis. After 24 hours, an antibiotic is started with bacterial conjunctivitis.
If someone in your family has pinkeye, be sure to clean your hands often and carefully. Keep away from sharing pillowcases, towels, mascara, eyeliner or washcloths with them.
About the Author
Brian Harmon is a General Health Practitioner. He has an MD degree and has worked in different Medical Clinics of Texas for 25 long years
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