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Playing around with a pink eye makeup look? Lots of fun. Thinking you may have developed pink eye the infection? Considerably less fun. While pink eye is something that you definitely hear about, sometimes it’s unclear just exactly what it is and what causes it. That’s why we’re tackling this topic for our latest health FYI.
Pink eye (also known as conjunctivitis) can occur for a number of reasons. Allergens and irritants (like smoke) can cause it, but there are also viral and bacterial strains of pink eye. Sometimes the cause isn’t totally obvious, but it is the viral and bacterial forms that are contagious and can spread really easily.
When the blood vessels in the eyelid lining (the conjuctiva) get irritated, that’s what causes the pink color and the agitation in your eye. Besides the pink color (I mean, it is called pink eye after all), what other symptoms can you expect? They may vary slightly depending on the cause, but overall, you may notice some swelling or itching of your eye, a drainage or discharge from your eye, tearing up more than usual and/or your eyelids getting kind of crusty.
So what can you do to minimize your risk of getting pink eye – or spreading it if you know you have it? The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention has a number of helpful guidelines.
The biggest takeaway is to be sure to wash your hands well and try to avoid touching or rubbing at your eyes. A cool compress can help soothe irritation you may be feeling so you aren’t rubbing at your eyes. Also, remember how we told you that you should replace your makeup on the regular? Well, another important rule of thumb is don’t share your eye or face makeup either, because that can spread pink eye.
If you used any makeup on your face while your eye was infected, it’s best to ditch it. Also, avoid wearing your contact lenses while you have pink eye. Anything you may have used that can be cleaned (like glasses or towels) should be cleaned before you use them again.
Pink eye may clear up on its own after several days, though the specific timing could vary depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis. While conjunctivitis may get better without medical treatment, your doctor may be able to prescribe antiviral medication or antibiotics to address your specific case that can help treat it.
Honestly, even though it can clear up with time, I’m a big believer in the “consulting your doctor to be safe” route, especially considering how easy it can spread. Also, there are instances when the conjunctivitis could be a chronic or more severe strain, or even possibly be a sign of another health condition that needs addressing.
Especially if your eye pain is severe, your vision is affected or you know your immune system is weakened because of another condition, you should definitely see your doctor. Knowing what pink eye is, what causes it and how it spreads can help keep you ready to prevent and address conjunctivitis if it ever pops up in your life.
How much did you know about pink eye before? What other health topics would you want us to cover? Tell me in the comments!
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I had conjunctivitis once and when i woke up in the night and needed the toilet i counldn’t open my eyes and had to wash them with a load of water to get them to open, and i nearly fell down the stairs, becuse they were litteraly stuck closed!