Conjunctivitis, known colloquially as “pink eye,” is an infection of the eye or eyes which can lead to redness, itching, irritation, and a characteristic creamy discharge in some cases. For the most part, pink eye is merely irritating, not threatening, although a doctor should be seen to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a doctor may offer prescription medication to assist with the problem. Avoiding pink eye in the first place, of course, is preferable.

Pink eye starts with an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane which covers the white of the eye and part of the eyelid. As the conjunctiva becomes more inflamed and irritated, it starts to get infected, causing the veins in the eye to turn red and irritated. If the infection is allowed to continue, the eye may start to form a discharge, and it can become very uncomfortable.

There are several potential causes for pink eye. Several bacterias and viruses can cause pink eye, and in this case the condition is infectious, so the patient should be careful about handling the eye and interacting with people. In this instance, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the problem. Foreign bodies in the eye can also cause itchy eyes and irritation which may lead to pink eye, and some allergies can manifest themselves as pink eye as well. Removing the foreign body and figuring out the cause of the allergy are important in these types of pink eye.

Especially in children, pink eye is very common. There are a few steps which can be taken to avoid the condition. The first is to make sure that people always wash their hands before touching their eyes and face, and to do the same when handling other peoples faces. Keeping the face and eyes clean is also important, as is avoiding allergens which have been known to cause pink eye in the past. These basic steps are also good for general health and hygiene.

In addition, people should avoid sharing things like washcloths and eye cups, which may carry traces of infectious material which could cause pink eye. Any materials used to wipe the face and eyes, such as cotton makeup swabs, should also be securely discarded and not reused, if they are disposable, or washed before the next use in the case of reusable items. Labeling or color coding things like washcloths can help people distinguish between their belongings in a large household.