Your kiddo wakes up with eye goo and bloodshot eyes. It's pinkeye—but what caused it, and how will it affect your day? Pinkeye is usually the result of one of three causes: bacterial, viral or allergic. Your pediatrician will prescribe treatment based on the cause, which also determines how long your child will have to stay home.
Common symptoms of pinkeye
Pinkeye symptoms are often similar despite different causes. The most common include:
- Redness in the whites of the eyes and inner eyelids.
- Drainage and discharge out of the eye, which can be clear and watery to thick and crusty.
- Burning, itching or gritty feeling in the eyes.
- Swollen eyelids.
- Blurry vision (because of increased tearing and discharge).
The three common causes of Pinkeye
Viral conjunctivitis
Think of viral conjunctivitis as a cold in the eye. It’s often linked to respiratory infections and is highly contagious. Your child’s eyes might be matted shut in the morning, but the drainage is mostly clear to slightly yellow throughout the day. This is the most common type of pinkeye.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is what most people think of when you say pinkeye. Think of lots and lots of thick, yellow-to-green drainage throughout the day. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are needed to take care of this infection.
Allergic conjunctivitis
The final type of pinkeye, allergic conjunctivitis, is not contagious. It happens when you come into contact with allergens like pollen or pet dander. The symptom that sets this apart from the other two is how itchy it is.
Pinkeye treatment
Make an appointment with your pediatrician if you think your child has pinkeye. Comfort measures help relieve the discomfort, but treatment varies based on the cause.
- Warm compresses can alleviate discomfort and reduce crustiness.
- Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops soothe irritation.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with antibiotic drops or ointment.
- Viral conjunctivitis has no specific treatment other than the comfort measures above.
Prevention strategies for viral and bacterial pinkeye
Viral and bacterial pinkeye are highly contagious; preventing its spread can feel like an uphill battle.
- The single most important prevention method is frequent, good hand washing, especially:
- After touching your face or interacting with others.
- Before you eat or drink.
- After using the restroom.
- Before and after playing with shared items.
- Avoid sharing personal items like towels and pillows.
- Encourage your child not to touch, itch or scratch at their eyes and face.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.
When can my child return to school, daycare or activities?
Most parents’ first question after a pinkeye diagnosis is, “When can my child return to school?” The answer depends on the cause and your school or daycare’s policies.
- Bacterial: Once your child has received at least 24 hours of the prescribed antibiotic he can return.
- Viral: The usual requirement is 24 hours fever-free and that symptoms are improving..
- Allergic: Children can return once their symptoms are manageable since this pinkeye is not contagious.
Help your school or daycare by teaching, practicing and emphasizing good hand hygiene with your child. Keep him home based on your health care provider’s recommendation and ask for a note that states when your child can return.
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As you can see, determining the cause of pinkeye isn’t always straightforward. By understanding the distinctive features of viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis, you'll be better prepared to help your child manage the symptoms the next time it makes the rounds at school or daycare.
References:
KidsHealth.org, “Conjunctivitis.”
Cleveland Clinic, “Pinkeye.”
Joleen Sams is a family nurse practitioner who lives in Shawnee with her family.