If you or someone in your family has pink eye, your initial instinct may be to rush to your doctor, but you may not need to. At Northside Pediatrics Associates, Dr. Ayotunde Faweya, your local Conroe Pediatrician, has a practice in Conroe, TX, and offers excellent tips for treating pink eye at home.

What is Pink Eye?

Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis, and it is an infection of the conjunctiva of your eye. Your conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the eyelid and the covering of your eye. Our conjunctiva protects and lubricates the eye with the production of tears and mucus.

Allergies, viruses, or bacteria can cause pink eye.

Symptoms of Pink Eye

With conjunctivitis, one or both of your eyes will become red and itchy. The affected eye will also drain or have a white or yellowish discharge. Symptoms can last for about a week but can go away without medical treatment.

Treatment of Pink Eye

At home, you can take simple steps to treat your pink eye and manage its symptoms.

Use a Compress

To create a compress, you will want to soak a lint-free cloth in cool water and press it gently to your closed eyelid. If you push hard, this could further damage your eyes.

If you only have pink eye in one eye, avoid placing the compress too close to the unaffected eye because it is easily transmitted between the two eyes. Sometimes warm water may feel better and is also a treatment option, but you want to avoid hot water because it could make your pink eye worse or cause further damage.

When using a compress, you only want to hold it there for a few minutes at a time several times a day. Make sure no one else uses your compress to avoid spreading it to others.

Use Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

There are effective over-the-counter eye drops available that can help with the itching. You will want to look for eye drops that are "lubricating" or "artificial tears" while avoided those that treat "red eyes." Even better, keep your eye drops in the refrigerator for additional relief.

Skip Your Contacts

If you wear contact lenses, you will want to avoid wearing them until your pink eye has completely healed. You may also want to replace your lenses and case to prevent reinfection.

Viral Pink Eye Treatment

If a virus causes your pink eye, Dr. Faweya, of Conroe, TX, may recommend certain anti-viral medications to treat it, and coming from an experienced Conroe Pediatrician, you can trust they are necessary to prevent further issues.

Allergic Pink Eye Treatment

If allergies cause pink eye, it usually improves when you avoid the allergen. This form of pink eye is also non-contagious.

Bacterial Pink Eye

You will see more mucus or pus with bacterial pink eye and may need antibiotics if not healed within a few days.

One thing to remember with pink eye is that it is very contagious, so frequent hand washing and avoidance of activities that transmit it to others should be avoided. If you are experiencing pink eye symptoms, call your local Conroe Pediatrician, Dr. Faweya at Northside Pediatric Associates located in Conroe, TX, for advice at (936) 270-8655.