Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis is a common condition. 

According to Cleveland Clinic, 6 million people suffer from Conjunctivitis every year. 

Allergens, viruses, or bacteria can cause Conjunctivitis. 

However, it can be treated within a few days with proper treatment.

Medical help for Conjunctivitis is crucial but only sometimes necessary.  

Treatment depends on alleviating the symptoms and the cause of the condition.

In most instances, antibiotic eye drops are futile since a virus usually causes them. Using antibiotic eye drops may even be harmful in these cases.   

Over-the-counter eye drops, ointments, tablets, and at-home remedies can benefit the treatment.

But we recommend you visit a doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Read on to find the best treatment options for specific causes.

Bacterial Pink Eye treatment

Bacteria can cause Pink Eye, particularly those linked with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. It comes as an eye drop or ointment.

According to studies, antibiotics may lessen the duration of the condition, its consequences, and its transmission to others.

Fact
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost all cases of bacterial pink eye subside within 10 days.

The typical recommendation is to use eye drops or ointments three to four times daily for five to seven days. 

Medicines for Bacterial Pink EyeApprox. Cost
Norflox Eye Drop 0.3% (10 ml)$0.47
Besix Eye Drop 0.6% (5ml)$14.90
Toba Eye Drop 0.3% (5 ml)$9.96
Locula Eye Drop 20% (10ml)$15.40

The doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic for rare cases of Pink Eye caused by Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.

Within a week, the infection should resolve itself. 

Viral Pink Eye treatment

Pink eye is usually triggered by the same viruses that cause the common cold. 

Like how a cold must run its course, this kind of Pink eye often lasts between four and seven days. 

Remember that it can be contagious; take precautions to avoid its spread. 

Antibiotics are ineffective against anything caused by a virus. 

Closeup of a person using ointment on the eye
Closeup of a person using ointment on the eye

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral pills, eye drops, or ointment to treat more severe cases of Conjunctivitis.

Warning
Take or use the medications as your doctor prescribes, even after your symptoms have subsided.

Allergic Pink Eye treatment

Conjunctivitis induced by an allergen (such as pollen) usually subsides upon eliminating the allergen.

If the irritation is allergic Conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe allergy-specific eye drops.

These may include:

  • Antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers for allergic responses Decongestants
  • Steroids
  • Anti-inflammatory drops for inflammation

A combination of Eye drops with Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs sold over the counter may also be helpful.

Also, you can lessen the intensity of the allergy by avoiding the environment or allergens that cause the condition.  

Also Read: If you want to read about the treatment of pink eye in-depth, go through A Guide to Pink Eye Treatment and Relief.

At-home treatments

At-home treatments like a cold compress and hygiene may help you reduce the pain. 

These are the best home remedies for the treatment of Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye:

Damp cloth

People with Bacterial Pink eyes may have thick pus coming out of their eyes. 

Pus dries and forms a crust along the edges of the eyelids. 

This crust might make it hard to open your eye, especially in the morning.

People can try to get the pus out of their eyes and lashes by using a warm, damp cloth. 

A warm shower may also help them get rid of the dry crust.

Cool compress

When you have Pink Eye, there is swelling around the eye. 

It can be annoying, and it might hurt sometimes. 

A cool compress might help ease these symptoms and reduce swelling.

You can make a cool compress by soaking a clean washcloth or hand towel in cold water and squeezing out as much water as possible. 

Then, you can put the cloth over the hurt eye and hold it there for a few minutes.

If an infection causes Pink Eye, you should not use the washcloth again. 

If you do that, the infection could spread to the other Eye or other people in the house. 

Instead, you should make a compress with a clean washcloth, and one used should be washed in hot water.

Good hygiene

Practice the following points for good eye hygiene during and after treatment:

  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before eating
  • Adopt good eye hygiene. Use a clean cotton ball or paper towel to wipe away any discharge from your eyes several times each day
  • Throw away the cotton ball or paper towel after that, and then wash your hands in warm water with soap
  • Every day until the infection goes away, clean or change your pillowcase
  • You should wash bed sheets, pillowcases, and towels in hot water with detergent
  • Keep your pillows, towels, and washcloths separate from others at home or use paper towels
  • Don’t use your fingers to touch or rub your infected eye. To wipe, use tissues
  • Don’t cover your eyes with a patch. It could make the infection worse
  • Keep dirt and other things that may infect your eyes away from them

Treatment for kids and newborns

Kids and newborns are also susceptible to getting Pink Eye.

According to studies, 50% of Conjunctivitis cases in kids result from bacterial infections.

However, 80-90% of these cases can be treated with antibiotics.

eye drop is used for pink eye treatment
A child taking eye drop for pink eye

Newborns

Newborns are susceptible to Pink Eye and, if left untreated, can develop significant health complications. 

During delivery, if a pregnant woman has an STD like Chlamydia, the bacteria or virus can enter the baby’s eyes through the birth canal and cause Pink Eye. 

To avoid this, physicians immediately apply antibiotic ointment or eye drops to all newborns. 

This treatment occasionally produces minor chemical Conjunctivitis, which often resolves. 

Doctors can also check pregnant women for sexually transmitted diseases. It helps them in treatment during pregnancy to prevent the illness from spreading to the baby.

Kids

Kids can get Pink Eye by contacting an infected person or object, such as a used tissue. 

Pink Eye may spread in the summer when children swim in polluted water or share infected towels.

It can also spread by coughing and sneezing.

Here is how parents can help kids suffering from Pink Eye:

  • Using cool or warm compresses on your child’s eyes may provide relief
  • Cleanse the margins of the affected eye with gauze or cotton balls and warm water. It can help cut the crusts of dried discharge that cause the eyelids to glue in the morning
  • If your kid uses contact lenses, they may be advised not to wear them until the infection has cleared up
  • Then, sanitize the contact lenses and their case a least twice before allowing your kid to use them again
  • If your kid wears disposable contact lenses, dispose of the existing pair and replace them with a fresh set once the infection has cleared up
  • Doctors ask to keep children with infectious Conjunctivitis away from school, daycare, and summer camp

Also Read: To know the condition of pink eye in babies, go through Pink Eye in Babies: A Complete Guide.

When to contact your doctor

Consult a doctor if you have Conjunctivitis along with any of the following symptoms:

  • Yellow or green discharge from your eye
  • You experience pain in the eyes
  • Eyelids are glued together in the morning
  • Extreme discomfort in your eye when you stare at a bright light
  • Pinkeye impairs your eyesight
  • You have a high temperature, trembling chills, facial pain, and eyesight loss (These are improbable symptoms)
  • If your newborn develops Pink Eye, you should see a doctor immediately since it might impair their vision

Your eye doctor may ask you to meet immediately. Contact your primary care physician if you cannot reach your eye doctor and your Pink Eye is mild.

Consult your eye doctor if your symptoms continue or the redness does not reduce within two weeks.

Conclusion

As most episodes of Pink Eye are minor, you may often treat the symptoms at home until you feel better. 

Over-the-counter “artificial tears” may relieve itching and burning.

You might also be prescribed topical medications or pills for the treatment. 

Recommended Reading:
To know more about the pink eye prescription based medicine you can read this article Pink Eye Medicine: How to Choose the Right One.

If your kid has bacterial or viral Pink Eye, keep them home until they are no longer contagious.

Also, remember good hygiene is a must!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get rid of Pink Eye?

Pink eye treatment usually depends on the cause and the symptoms. You might be prescribed topical medications or at-home treatments like a cold compress or using damp cloths to clean the eye. Keeping good hygiene is a must during and after the treatment. 

How to get rid of Pink Eye fast?

Treatment for Pink Eye often focuses on symptom management. Your physician may suggest using artificial tears, washing your eyes with a moist towel, and using cold or warm compresses many times daily. If you use contact lenses, you will be asked to drop their use until your treatment is complete.

How to cure Pink Eye?

Pink Eye can be cured if the causes are diagnosed and treated. You can cure early-stage Pink Eye symptoms with at-home treatments and good hygiene. However, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral medications in case of bacterial or viral Pink Eye treatment.

Citations:
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