Latest news with #conjunctivitis
Health Line
22-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What You Need to Know About Conjunctivitis
Key takeaways Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, involves inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye, leading to redness, discomfort, and discharge in the affected eye. Pink eye can result from infections (bacterial or viral), allergies, or irritants. Contagious types can spread easily through contact. Treatment varies depending on the cause, ranging from rinsing for chemical irritations to antibiotics for bacterial infections, antihistamines for allergies, or supportive care for viral cases. When you have pink eye, blood vessels in your conjunctiva become inflamed. This gives your eye the red or pink color that's commonly associated with conjunctivitis. There are a few different types of pink eye that come with varying symptoms and treatments. Pink eye symptoms Different types of pink eye can come with slightly different symptoms, but in general, it's important to talk with a doctor if you start to experience: pink or red-toned eyes a gritty feeling in your eyes watery or thick discharge that builds up on your eyes at night itchiness in your eyes abnormal amount of tears Types and causes In general, there are three main categories of pink eye: infectious allergic chemical Infectious conjunctivitis Infectious pink eye comes in a few different types, including: bacterial viral Bacterial pink eye is caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria. It typically occurs due to things like touching your eyes with unclean hands, sharing makeup, or having physical contact with someone who may also have conjunctivitis. Viral pink eye is usually caused by common cold viruses. It can occur if someone with an upper respiratory infection coughs or sneezes close to you. It can also occur when you have a cold virus yourself and blow your nose too hard. This can push the infection from your respiratory system to your eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis Most people with allergic pink eye have seasonal allergies. They can get pink eye if they come in contact with a substance they're allergic to, like pollen. It's also possible to develop an allergic type of pink eye called giant papillary conjunctivitis if you wear hard contact lenses, or soft contact lenses that aren't replaced frequently enough. Chemical conjunctivitis You can get pink eye from irritants such as: How contagious is pink eye? Bacterial and viral pink eye are very contagious. Pink eye is very easily spread from person to person. For instance, if someone with viral pink eye touches their eye and then touches your hand, and you touch your eyes, there's a chance you could get pink eye as well. Pink eye is typically contagious for as long as the person is having symptoms. Images of pink eye How is pink eye diagnosed? It's typically not difficult for a healthcare professional to diagnose pink eye. They will usually be able to tell if you have pink eye simply by asking you a few questions and looking at your eyes. For example, a healthcare professional might ask you if your eyes are itchy and whether you have watery or thick discharge. They might also ask if you're experiencing symptoms of a common cold, hay fever, or asthma. They may also perform a few tests, including: a vision test to see whether your vision has been affected external eye tissue examination, including the conjunctiva, using bright light and magnification examination of the inner eye to make sure no other tissues have been affected conjunctival tissue smear, which is typically done when a person is dealing with chronic pink eye, or the condition is not improving with treatment Treatment for pink eye Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on what's causing it. Chemical conjunctivitis Rinsing your eye with saline is one way to help ease symptoms if you're dealing with chemical pink eye. Topical steroids may also be prescribed if the case is severe enough. Bacterial conjunctivitis For a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the most common method of treatment. Adults usually prefer eye drops. For children, ointment might be a better choice because it's easier to apply. With the use of antibiotic medication, your symptoms will probably start to disappear in just a few days — but it's important to finish your entire prescription to lessen the risk of pink eye coming back. Viral conjunctivitis Most of the time, viral conjunctivitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. These cold viruses don't currently have any treatments, but symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in 7 to 10 days. In rare cases, other viruses like the herpes simplex or varicella-zoster virus can be involved, which can cause more serious infections. These viruses do have antiviral treatments, but these treatments can only be used for these specific types of viral infections. In the meantime, using a warm compress, or a cloth moistened with warm water, can help soothe your symptoms. Allergic conjunctivitis To treat pink eye caused by an allergen, your healthcare professional will probably prescribe an antihistamine to stop the inflammation. Loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are antihistamines that are available as over-the-counter medications. They may help clear your allergic symptoms, including allergic pink eye. Other treatments include antihistamine eye drops or anti-inflammatory eye drops. Home remedies In addition to using a warm compress, you can also purchase eye drops at your local drugstore that mimic your own tears. These may help relieve your pink eye symptoms. It's also a good idea to stop wearing contact lenses until your pink eye completely clears up. How can you prevent conjunctivitis? Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid and stop the transmission of conjunctivitis: Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands whenever possible. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Only use clean tissues and towels to wipe your face and eyes. Try not to share cosmetics, especially eyeliner or mascara, with others. Wash pillowcases frequently. If your healthcare professional thinks your contact lenses are contributing to your pink eye, they may recommend switching to another type of contact lens or disinfectant solution. They may also suggest cleaning or replacing your contact lenses more frequently, or that you stop wearing contact lenses indefinitely (or at least until your eye heals). Avoiding poorly fitted contact lenses and decorative contact lenses may also decrease your risk for pink eye. Preventing the transmission of pink eye If you already have pink eye, you can help keep your friends and family safe by doing the following: Wash your hands regularly. Avoid sharing towels or washcloths. Change your towel and washcloth daily. Replace eye cosmetics after your infection clears. Follow your healthcare professional's advice on contact lens care. Take any medication your doctor has given you as prescribed.
Medscape
01-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Eye Surgeon Raises Red Flag on Popular Lash Trend
Eyelash extensions are growing in popularity among young women, promoted widely on social media for their glamorous appearance and low-maintenance appeal. In a column sent to the French press, Romain Nicolau, MD, an ophthalmic surgeon in Paris, France, warned about the underestimated risks associated with eyelash extensions. In an interview with Medscape's French edition, he expanded on these concerns, detailing complications ranging from conjunctivitis and allergic reactions to more serious conditions like keratitis and corneal ulcerations. Why did you decide to write an opinion piece warning about the dangers of eyelash extensions? In my practice, I've seen several patients develop conjunctivitis after receiving eyelash extensions. These cosmetic procedures are increasingly promoted on social media, often promising a glamorous look and striking eyes with minimal effort. However, behind this pursuit of aesthetic enhancement lies a frequently underestimated risk to ocular health. What are the risks associated with eyelash extensions? Eyelashes serve to protect the eyes from external irritants. Extensions are applied to a particularly sensitive area and are not without risks. I'm seeing a growing number of patients presenting with dry eye, eyelid inflammation, conjunctivitis, allergic reactions to adhesives, or infections. Extensions also place added weight on the natural lashes, and over time, this repeated trauma can lead to lash loss. While regrowth may occur initially, it can eventually result in eyelash alopecia or misdirected regrowth, where lashes curve inward toward the eye rather than outward — causing significant discomfort. In more severe cases, complications such as keratitis or corneal ulcerations may develop. What causes these complications? The glues used to apply false lashes can be harmful. Some contain substances known to cause irritation and allergic reactions, such as formaldehyde or cyanoacrylates. Using these just millimeters from the cornea can trigger inflammation. Any eye injury is serious and can result in severe, even irreversible, complications. Application technique can also be an issue. Many beauty salons don't follow strict hygiene protocols and may spread bacteria like staphylococcus. There's often no requirement for technician training, so mistakes in handling extensions or improper disinfection of tools can occur. What precautions should be taken by those considering eyelash extensions? The reputation of the salon should be carefully checked. Staff should wear gloves and masks, disinfect their hands, and use sterilized, single-use tools. The procedure occurs very close to the eye, which is delicate, and must be performed correctly. Extensions should also be used sparingly. It's not about banning them, but common sense and moderation should take priority over beauty at all costs. If the individual has a history of allergies, this should be discussed in advance with their primary care doctor or allergist. Some salons also use UV lamps to speed up glue curing, but UV exposure is harmful to health — for both the client and the technician. Salons using UV should be avoided. Finally, if after the procedure the person experiences discomfort or a sensation like sand in the eye, they should seek medical attention immediately. This article was translated from Medscape's French edition.
Health Line
11-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
How to Get Rid of Pink Eye Fast
Pink eye will usually go away on its own in about 1 to 2 weeks. In some cases you may be able to speed up your recovery with prescribed eye drops. Key takeaways Pink eye typically takes 1-3 weeks to clear up if viral, and 2-5 days if bacterial, though bacterial cases can be shortened with prescribed antibiotic eye drops. Antibiotic eye drops are only effective for bacterial pink eye and will not help viral, allergic, or irritant causes of pink eye. The condition is highly contagious and can spread as long as the eye appears pink and continues producing discharge, lasting up to 10 days for bacterial cases or around two weeks for viral cases. You wake up in the morning and open your eyes… at least you try to. One eye seems to be stuck shut, and the other feels like it's rubbing against sandpaper. You've got pink eye. But you also have a life and need to feel better fast. Keep reading for a fast-acting pink eye treatment plan, plus ways to keep others from getting it. Quick-acting treatments First step: Is it bacterial? To help you treat your pink eye the fastest, it's important to make your best guess as to what type you have. There are four common causes of pink eye: viral bacterial allergic irritant Viral is the most common, followed by bacterial. Viral basically means you have a cold in your eye — in fact, you'll often have it along with a cold or upper respiratory infection. Bacterial pink eye often occurs along with an ear or strep infection. It usually causes a lot more mucus and irritation than other pink eye causes. If you're having bacterial pink eye symptoms, the fastest way to treat them is to see your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops. According to a review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, using antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of pink eye. Antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of bacterial pink eye It's important to note a few things here. First, your pink eye will probably go away on its own, even if it's bacterial. If you have bacterial pink eye and you're looking for the fastest way to get rid of it, eye drops can help. Note: Antibiotic eye drops aren't going to help the other causes — viral, allergic, or irritant. This is because in those cases, bacteria isn't the reason you have pink eye. Second step: Soothe your eye(s) If you have pink eye in only one eye, your goal is to treat the affected eye without infecting the other eye. If your other eye gets infected, that will extend the length of the illness. Keep anything you use on the affected eye away from the other eye. Also, wash your hands as much as possible, especially after you touch your eye. Steps you can take to help your eye feel better include: Place a warm, damp washcloth over your affected eye. Leave it on for a few minutes. This should help to loosen any stuck-on gunk from your eye so it can open more easily. Wash your hands and use a new damp washcloth on the other eye if both of your eyes are affected. Apply lubricating eye drops, usually labeled 'artificial tears,' to each eye. Don't let the tip of the eye dropper touch your eye. If you do, throw it away because it's contaminated. Wash your hands after applying eye drops. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These steps can help minimize irritation so your body can keep fighting whatever is causing your pink eye. Third step: Don't let anyone else get it Pink eye is highly contagious. Because you're trying to get rid of it fast, you don't want to give it to someone else and then get it right back after your first round resolves. To do this, practice some eye hygiene tips: Change your pillowcase and sheets every day. Use a clean towel every day. Wash your hands after you come in contact with potentially contaminated items and after you touch your eyes. Toss contact lenses that may have come in contact with your eyes as you were getting pink eye. Toss mascara and clean eye makeup brushes with soap and water to prevent recontamination. Don't share anything that touches your eyes (like mascara or eyedrops) with others. How to treat pink eye in newborns Newborns can get pink eye, usually anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks after birth. Sometimes, this is due to an outside cause like infection or a blocked tear duct. Other times, a mom may have accidentally exposed her baby to bacteria or viruses when the baby passed through her birth canal. Examples include chlamydia, genital herpes, or gonorrhea. Because your baby is so new to the world, it's best to go straight to the doctor when they have pink eye symptoms. A doctor can examine the eye and recommend treatments, such as: applying antibiotic eye drops or ointments applying warm compresses to the eyes to reduce swelling flushing the eyes with a saline solution to reduce excess mucus and pus buildup If a newborn has an eye infection due to the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, they may need intravenous (IV) antibiotics. This type of infection can be serious and lead to permanent eye damage if left untreated. What not to do if you have pink eye If you're googling pink eye remedies, you've probably come across some wild suggestions. Most of them will only irritate your eyes and potentially make pink eye worse. Here are some things to avoid: Using anti-redness eye drops. They won't soothe your eye and they could make your condition worse. Using any kind of herbs or foods applied to the eye. They aren't sterile or medical grade. Until doctors specifically approve them to treat pink eye, stay away from these. If you've read something you're curious to try, check with your doctor's office first. You could save yourself from some potential eye damage and discomfort. When to see a doctor Not everything that looks like pink eye is pink eye. Plus, sometimes you can have a really bad case that requires medical attention. See your doctor if you have the following symptoms: increased sensitivity to light intense eye pain problems seeing significant amounts of pus or mucus coming out of your eye If you've tried at-home treatments for a week and your symptoms are getting worse instead of better, see an eye doctor. See a doctor right away if you think you have measles Pink eye can be a manifestation of measles. It may happen before you see a measles rash, or you can have both the rash and eye symptoms. While vaccinations have made measles less common, doctors have reported cases in the United States. Signs your pink eye could be related to measles include: You haven't been vaccinated, and there's an outbreak in the area. You also have symptoms like a very high fever and a red, blotchy rash. You're very sensitive to all light, including indoor light. Measles can permanently damage the eyes. If you suspect your pink eye may be measles-related, see an eye doctor right away. Frequently asked questions Can pink eye go away in three days? If your pink eye is viral, it can take 1-3 weeks for it to clear up. If it's bacterial, it can get better within 2-5 days without treatment, though sometime can also take a few weeks. Treatment with antibiotics can speed this up. How long is pink eye contagious? Pink eye is contagious as long as the affected eye appears pink, produces discharge and continue to tear. If it's bacterial, this can be up to 10 days, but less with antibiotics. Viral pink eye can be contagious for around two weeks. Is there a way to get rid of pink eye overnight? There isn't a way to help pink eye resolve this quickly. Even in bacterial cases with antibiotic treatment, it would still take more than 24 hours to get better.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Enzo Fernandez playing through bout of illness
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has played through conjunctivitis for the last two Premier League 24-year-old midfielder was seen playing with inflammation of his right eye in the 1-0 win over Manchester United which he said impacted his vision in Friday night's win at Stamford Bridge. But Fernandez is understood to have started having symptoms a week earlier at Newcastle, although he specifically asked to play in both highlighted the issue when posting photos on his Instagram account, and said: "(It was the) last match at home with this group that will give it all until the end, we have two finals left. "Thank you to the fans for the support all the season. My first game playing with one eye."Fernandez is regarded as one of the leaders in the dressing room by manager Enzo Maresca and is having his most productive season for Chelsea - registering six goals and seven assists in 35 Premier League matches.
