"PINKEYE....CAUSES,SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS"

..And The Eyes Tell The Tales..

PINKEYE...also called conjunctivitis....is Redness and Inflammation of clear membranes covering the Whites of the eye and the membranes on the inner part of the eye.As it is the MOST common problem with most of us(including me)so I thought to share some usefull information about it.

Pinkeye is most often caused by a virus or by a bacterial infection,although allergies,toxic agents and underlying disease can also play a role.

Is pinkeye contagious?

Viral and bacterial pinkeyes are extremely contagious.It's easily spread through  poor hand washing or by sharing an object(like a towel) wit someone who has it.It can also spread through coughing and sneezing.Kids diagnosed with Pinkeye should stay out of school or day care for a short period of time.

Allergic pinkeye(caused by seasonal pollens,animal dander,cosmetics and perfumes) and Chemical Pinkeye(from toxic chemicals and liquids,including bleach and furniture polish) are not contagious. 

SYMPTOMS;

Eye redness:red eyes are a typical telltale symptom of pinkeye.It is rarely serious and will not cause any long-term eye or vision damage if promptly detected and treated.

Swollen, red eyelids:swelling of both eyes are more common with allergic and bacterial Pinkeye.

Lots of tearing:viral and allergic Pinkeye are known for causing more tear production than normal.

Itchy or Burning eyes:You would know if you felt it...that overwhelming itchy,burning feeling in the eyes,which is typical of a Pinkeye.

Drainage from the Eye:A clear,watery drainage is common with viral and allergic pinkeye.When the drainage is more greenish-yellow(and there's a lot of it)this is likely bacterial pinkeye.

Crusty eyelids:If you wake up with your eyes 'stuck shut' this may be caused by discharge that accumulates during the sleep from bacterial PinkeyeCrusty eyelids are less common with viral Pinkeye.

Something in the Eye:You may notice a bothersome feeling like something is stuck in your Eye.Or, a child may describe the feeling as  sand in the Eye.Irritation or gritty feeling in the eye can indicate a bacterial cause of Pinkeye.

Pinkeye Diagnosis:A doctor can often diagnose Pinkeye just by its distinguishing symptoms.However a slit lamp exam may be required.In some cases, a swab from the discharge from the eye is sent to a lab for analysis to determine the cause.

When Pinkeye means something More:Persistant pink eye can be a sign of underlying illness in the body.Most often these are rheumatic diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus arythmatosus.It can be seen in many other diseases like crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis etc.

Treating Pinkeye:Bacterial Pinkeye is treated with antibiotic drops,ointments or pills to clear the infection.Most Viral Pinkeye cases have no specific treatment...you just have to let the virus run its course,which is usually 4 to 7 days.Some viral causes may require the anti viral medications.Allergic Pinkeye symptoms should improve once the allergen is removed and the allergy itself is treated.Chemical pinkeye requires prompt washing of the affected eye(s) for 5 minutes and an immediate call to doctor.

Preventing its Spread:If you or your child has infectious Pinkeye,avoid touching the Eye area,and wash your hands frequently,particularly after applying medications to the area.Never share towel and handkerchiefs,and throw away tissues after each use.Change linens and towels daily.Disinfect all surfaces including countertops,sinks and doorknobs.Throw away any makeup used while infected.

Take great care of your beautifull eyes..