When the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface covering the eyelids (otherwise known as the conjunctiva) becomes inflammed, then it is called
, pinkeye or conjunctivitis. The conjunctiva can sometimes be infected by bacteria, viruses, allergens, irritants and toxins. Various diseases of the body may also affect the conjunctiva. When a person has pink eye, the eyes become extremely red, not to mention that pink eye is also contagious. The causes of pink eye can either be infectious or non-infectious. The viruses that cause colds and other infections? They can likewise cause pink eye.
In fact, those bacteria that also cause sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea can do the same. This makes up infectious
. But children in most cases acquire non-infectious pink eye. This type of pink eye is caused by allergies (hay fever) and allergens (grass, pollen, animal dander and dust mites). Chemicals such as chlorine and soaps and environmental substances like smoke and fumes can also trigger pink eye. For people who wear contact lenses, GPC or Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, another kind of pinkeye, can also occur. Symptoms of infectious pinkeye are red watery eyes with discharge and also soreness.
Most likely, infectious pink eye spreads from one eye to the other and as the name suggests, this kind of pink eye is contagious. Non-infectious pinkeye on the other hand causes the eyes to have heavy tearing, itchiness and soreness. With non-infectious pinkeye, both eyes usually have these symptoms but this kind of conjunctivitis cannot be transmitted to another person. Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis seem to have the worst symptoms of all as it may cause intolerance to contact lens and heavy discharge in both eyes. Itching and tearing also occur when you have GPC as well as red bumps under the eyelids.
For infectious conjunctivitis, which is viral and bacterial in nature, the same treatment as with other contagious diseases is required. As with any kind of infection, antibiotics and antibiotic creams or ointments are used to treat infectious pinkeye. To get rid of the discharge, a warm wash cloth may be the simple solution. As for viral conjunctivitis, this must be warded off by the immune system and antibiotics may not be helpful. Viral conjunctivitis does not usually need medication but it is also a good idea to check with your physician as antibiotics are sometimes resorted to to prevent consequent bacterial infections.
To alleviate irritation, soreness and redness, you can use special eye drops. Allergens should be avoided in case of allergic conjunctivitis. It is advantageous if you know which allergens cause the pink eye so that you could avoid exposure to them. For allergic conjunctivitis, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drugs are required as well as eye drops for itching and redness. Almost everybody has had conjunctivitis at one time or another. It is quite common and would disappear on its own in a week or ten days. But it is still advisable to consult your physician once you have contracted conjunctivitis or
.
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