Alongside chicken pox and measles, another dreaded disease is conjunctivitis. There’s just something really unsettling about this infection. The fact that it leaves a person with inflamed eyes and sticky eyes discharge is just something really bothersome. There are various types of conjunctivitis, including those caused by viral or bacterial infection, allergies, and irritants. Each of these types has unique symptoms, but they also share common symptoms such as eye discharge, which can be watery or thick and sticky.
Conjunctivitis, like infectious conjunctivitis, can be spread through the secretions of an infected eye, whether through direct or indirect contact.
However, allergic and irritant conjunctivitis are not communicable. Now what kind of treatment should be administered to a condition like this and how can you prevent it from happening in the first place? Let’s take a look at the following sections.
Treatment of Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis: This type normally goes away on its own without medical treatment. All you need to do is maintain good hygiene and not infect other people. Using an eye drop is also an option in this case.
Bacterial conjunctivitis: Antibiotics are well-known drugs for treating bacteria-caused infections. Bacterial conjunctivitis is not any different. An antibiotic eye drop or ointment may be used to treat the infection.
Allergic conjunctivitis: This type of conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic reaction, thus drugs will be needed to relieve the allergies. Antihistamine eye drops may also be used to treat allergic responses. Also, you can try to avoid allergens such as dust mites and pollen.
Irritant conjunctivitis: Irritating substances like smoke, contact lenses, or chemicals can be the cause of this. Rinse your eyes with water and keep them moist to get rid of the irritation that is causing your conjunctivitis.
Prevention of Conjunctivitis
If you avoid substances that can cause pink eyes (conjunctivitis), you won’t have it in the first place. However, it can be difficult to avoid conjunctivitis-causing agents, such as during pollen season. Pollen season takes place during the spring and summer, the period with high pollen counts. Let’s look at some prevention tips:
- Frequent handwashing
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Don’t share eye makeup or personal items
- Practice good contact lens hygiene
- Use clean towels and pillowcases
- Avoid sharing eye drops
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (if infection with viral conjunctivitis)
- Stay home if infected
- Avoid swimming in contaminated water
Bottom Line
Conjunctivitis, like infectious conjunctivitis, can be spread through the secretions of an infected eye, whether through direct or indirect contact. However, allergic and irritant conjunctivitis are not communicable.
Now what kind of treatment should be administered to a condition like this and how can you prevent it from happening in the first place? Bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis use antibiotic eye drops and antihistamine eye drop respectively.
Viral conjunctivitis goes away on its own. While irritant conjunctivitis can be stopped by getting rid of the contaminant through rinsing the eyes.
