What is Conjunctivitis Causes and Symptoms of Pink Eye

What is Conjunctivitis

You may be wondering what is conjunctivitis or pink eye? Conjunctivitis occurs when the membranes or conjunctiva of the eye become red, swollen, irritated or infected. Is your toddler suffering from pink eye infection?

Pink eye in toddlers may be caused by viruses, bacteria and allergens. A newborn baby who has symptoms of pink eye should see a health care provider as soon as possible. Treatment is dependent on the type of conjunctivitis affecting your child.

The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane which forms the covering for the white part of the eye (sclera) and the lining also extends to the inside of the eyelid. It helps lubricate the eye by secreting mucous and tears and also blocks the entrance of microbes into the eyes.

what is pink eye

Although the membrane helps to protect the eyes they are vulnerable to many things in the environment including bacteria, viruses, irritants, and chemicals. The conjunctiva is susceptible to irritation from allergens, especially during hay fever season.

Conjunctivitis Symptoms

conjunctivitis

Symptoms of pink eye include itchiness and watering of the eyes, reddening of the whites of the eyes, discharge from eye, eyelids that are inflamed and swollen, and gravelly feeling of a foreign particle in the eye. Sensitivity to light is another symptom that may occur with some forms of conjunctivitis.

Pink Eye Causes

pink eye causes

Conjunctivitis is most often caused by bacterial or viral infections (common is childhood) or allergens, contact lens use, harmful chemicals, fungi, and certain diseases. As such the pink eye disease is either labeled as infectious or non infectious depending on the cause of each individual case. See: Honey Remedy for Pink Eye

A viral or bacterial infection can cause conjunctivitis. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are very contagious and easily spread from one person to another. The majority of cases of pinkeye in school-aged children are viral conjunctivitis.

bacterial conjunctivitis

Typically, treatment involves staying away from work or school in order to prevent spread of the infection. How long does pink eye last ? Most cases of viral pink eye infections are mild and will clear up in 7–14 days. Read: Home Remedies for Pink Eye Symptoms

Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is more likely to stay in just one eye and usually clear up with 2-3 days or almost immediately after a course on antibiotic treatment has been administered.

viral conjunctivitis

Exposure to harsh chemicals or allergy propagating agents can also lead to conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergy. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to external agents and causes uncomfortable, red eyes after exposure allergens. Pink eye that results from an allergy will normally clear as the other allergy symptoms lessen.

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pink eye symptoms

See: Best Natural Remedies To Get Rid of Pink Eye Infections

If you have signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis as described above, you should contact your doctor to have the disease and cause of it diagnosed especially if you have an impaired immune system that will affect your body’s ability to fight common diseases.

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