Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common and highly contagious illness. The characteristic sign of pink eye is a pink or reddish color on the whites of the eyes. While pink eye can usually be treated at home, medical help is often necessary.
What is pink eye?
Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white parts of your eyes. Pink eye may be caused by viruses, bacteria or allergens.
Rapid intervention helps alleviate uncomfortable symptoms like the itching and irritation commonly associated with pink eye. Additionally, early treatment helps prevent the spread of contagious forms of pink eye.
“Pink eye often resolves on its own,” says Dr. Robert Biernbaum, “but it’s a good idea to get treatment early. By getting professional medical help at WellNow Urgent Care, you can rule out other illnesses and prevent complications. Our goal is always to give you the best possible recovery.”
What causes pink eye?
Pink eye can result from various irritants entering one or both eyes. This can include viruses, bacteria, allergens, chemical substances or foreign objects. These irritants can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva — the thin, transparent membrane lining the eyeballs and eyelids.
In newborns, pink eye can happen as the result of a partially unopened or blocked tear duct.
Symptoms of Pink Eye
Eye irritation and other conditions can present similarly to pink eye, paying attention to your symptoms can help you determine when to see a doctor and understand what type of treatment to seek out.Pink eye can present in one or both eyes. Key symptoms include:
Redness in the whites of the eye(s)
Itchiness, irritation, or a gritty feeling in the eye(s)
Excessive tearing
Light sensitivity
Discharge that forms a crust while sleeping
How do you know if your pink eye is viral or bacterial?
Is my pink eye caused by allergies?
Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and is caused by your body reacting to an allergen or irritant. The primary symptom of this form of pink eye is itching.
What other ailments can be mistaken with pink eye?
Conditions like uveitis, dry eye syndrome and corneal abrasions present symptoms similar to pink eye. Professional medical advice can help prevent eye conditions from getting worse.
WellNow’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Biernbaum, advises, “Some serious conditions can look like pink eye. We don’t want those conditions progressing and causing complications like vision changes. If your symptoms are bothersome and are not going away, it’s best to get it checked out by a medical provider.”
Pink Eye Treatment
Pink eye often resolves in 2-3 weeks with rest and at-home care. If you have pink eye, stop wearing contact lenses immediately until your symptoms have resolved. To relieve your symptoms, you can try artificial tears, cold or warm compresses and cleaning your eyelids with a wet cloth. However, if your symptoms don’t seem to be getting better, it’s best to consult a doctor.
Pink Eye FAQs
How long is pink eye contagious for?
Viral pink eye is contagious as long as your symptoms are present. If your pink eye is bacterial, your contagious period will end about 24 hours after you start taking antibiotics. Pink eye is not contagious when it is caused by other irritants, like allergies or foreign bodies.
What gets rid of pink eye quickly?
If home remedies aren’t helping your pink eye, a medical provider may be able to prescribe helpful medications. For bacterial pink eye, swift relief can come with antibiotic treatment as directed by a healthcare professional. For pink eye caused by the herpes simplex virus, antiviral medication can help. Finally, allergy medications can help clear up pink eye cases caused by allergies.
What happens if you don't treat pink eye?
Most pink eye cases heal without medical intervention. However, pink eye and similar conditions can lead to severe eye infections or other complications. If your symptoms are concerning or getting worse, please see a medical provider.
How can I protect myself and others from pink eye?
Early diagnosis and treatment help to limit the spread of pink eye and protects people around you from also getting it. You can also help prevent pink eye by following these precautions:
Wash your hands frequently
Avoid touching your eyes
Only use clean towels and washcloths
Wash your pillowcases and bed sheets often
Don’t share eye makeup or eye care items
Where can I learn more about pink eye?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has up-to-date information about a wide range of illnesses affecting the U.S. population. See their information on conjunctivitis (pink eye) to learn more.
When should you visit urgent care for pink eye treatment?
When it comes to your eyes, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. While pink eye complications are uncommon, vision damage can occur. It’s particularly important to visit your doctor or WellNow Urgent Care for the following symptoms:
Eye pain
Changes in your vision
Light sensitivity
Intense eye redness
Symptoms that are getting worse or aren’t improving
Additionally, newborns and people with weakened immune systems should get medical care at the first sign of pink eye.
For pink eye and other medical conditions, the best results come with a professional diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. Check in online or walk in to a WellNow location nearest you.
This medical information has been reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Robert Biernbaum, Chief Medical Officer for WellNow Urgent Care.
Illnesses and Symptoms We Treat
WellNow Urgent Care treats a variety of illnesses, infections and diseases along with their
associated symptoms. If you are feeling uncomfortable or unwell, our dedicated medical
team is prepared to deliver a personalized and tailored treatment plan to help you get
better, faster.
This list contains our most commonly treated illnesses and symptoms. If you are
experiencing an illness not listed or are unsure of the source of your discomfort, visit a
WellNow location near you or start a virtual care session.