What is Pinkeye?

Pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis occurs when the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye, known as the conjunctive, and the inner eyelids become inflamed. This is a common condition and it’s not something that is likely to affect your child’s vision if it’s cared for properly. Pinkeye can be caused by allergies, bacterial infection and irritants.

Infectious Pinkeye

Infectious pinkeye is caused by either bacteria or a virus. There are a wide range of bacteria that can cause pinkeye, including streptococcus and haemophilus. Organisms that cause STDs (sexually transmitted disease) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pinkeye in those who are sexually active and in infants who get the infection from their mothers during delivery.

Viral Pinkeye

Viral pinkeye often accompanies viral infections such as colds, the flu and some common childhood diseases. Herpes simplex, a less common cause of viral pinkeye is a more serious condition that should be cared for by an eye specialist.

Allergic Pinkeye

This type of pinkeye is very common in children who suffer from allergies, such as hay fever. It appears at certain times of the year when allergens such as grass, ragweed and pollen are heavy in the air. Pet dander, dust and dust mites can also cause allergic pinkeye to flare up. Allergic pinkeye starts in both eyes concurrently, while other types of pinkeye begin in one eye only.

Irritant Pinkeye

Irritant pinkeye can be caused by air pollutants, chemicals, chlorine, soap, smoke and anything else that irritates the eyes.

Pinkeye in Infants

When infants younger than a month old get pinkeye, it is known as neonatal conjunctivitis. It may be caused by a tear duct that is blocked. Treatment for this condition consists of gently massaging between the baby’s eye and the nasal area. The eye drops given to infants immediately after delivery can cause a mild form of irritant pinkeye, which will disappear without treatment within two or three days.

Infants are susceptible to infectious pinkeye, which is a more serious condition, after delivery. This is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that pass to the baby’s eyes from the birth canal during delivery. The baby will get the symptoms within two weeks of birth and this type of pinkeye can cause serious damage. Other viruses that damage the eyes of newborns include those caused by genital or oral herpes. These are also passed to the baby at birth.

Signs and Symptoms of Pinkeye

The many different types of pinkeye can have different symptoms that may vary from one child to another. Common symptoms that appear in most cases of pinkeye are discomfort, and/or pain in the eye or the feeling that there is sand in the eye. Most children also have redness of the eye white and the inner eyelid. This is how the infection became known as pinkeye.

Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, staring and itching. Discharge may accompany other symptoms. If the sufferer has bacterial pinkeye, the discharge will be white, green or yellow and very thick. This may cause the eyelids to stick together during sleep. If this happens, the child’s eyes should be bathed with warm water and never be forced open. If the infection is viral or allergy pinkeye, the discharge is not usually so thick and may be clear.

Ear Infections and Pinkeye

Children who are diagnosed with bacterial pinkeye may also suffer from an ear infection, as similar bacteria cause the ear canals to become inflamed. Sore throat, runny nose and other viral infections can accompany pinkeye.

Contagious?

All types of pinkeye are highly contagious and can be easily spread if a child touches his eye and then touches someone’s hand. Your child can become infected from being in contact with a child who has pinkeye, or by touching something the infected child has touched. The disease can also be spread from airborne spores that are sent into the air when an infected child coughs or sneezes. Both viral and bacterial types of pinkeye can be spread in swimming pools or when your child uses a contaminated towel or washcloth.

Incubation

The incubation period for pinkeye is only two or three days. Viral pinkeye shows up within a week. Allergic and irritant pinkeye can’t be spread from one person to another.

Prevention

• Teach your child to wash his hands frequently with soap and warm water.

• Explain the dangers of sharing towels, washcloths, pillows, tissues, eye makeup and eye drops with other children.

• If your child has pinkeye, be sure he washes his hands after touching his eyes. New towels should be used each time your child washes his hands or face.

• Explain to your child the dangers of touching the infected eye and then touching the other eye.

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water after touching your child’s eye or administering eye drops.

• Always throw cotton balls or gauze away immediately after using them to treat your child’s eye. Washcloths and towels should be immediately put in the laundry and should never be used a second time.

• Wash towels, washcloths, and bed linens in hot water and detergent after each use.

• If your child is susceptible to allergic pinkeye, keep doors and windows closed when pollens are in the air.

• Dust and vacuum daily during allergy season.

• Irritant pinkeye can be prevented by keeping your child away from the things that he is sensitive to. This may not always be possible, but try your best.

• Neonatal pinkeye can be prevented if doctors screen pregnant women and treat any sexually transmitted disease. If you are pregnant and have an STD, be sure to inform your doctor in order to protect your baby’s eyes.

• All newborn infants should be given eye drops immediately after birth that will prevent pinkeye.

• If a pregnant woman suffers from herpes and they are active when she goes into labor, a C-section should be performed to protect the baby’s eyes.

Duration of Pinkeye

The symptoms and inflammation of viral pinkeye will last one to two weeks, depending on how severe the case is. Bacterial pinkeye usually disappears in about one week. Irritant pinkeye is, at times, very long lasting if the source of irritant isn’t removed.

Treatment

Bacterial pinkeye has to be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Ointments are quite thick and when first applied to the eye will cause vision to be blurred. The medication has to be used for a period of one week.

Viral pinkeye infections don’t have to be treated with antibiotics, but often a child’s doctor will prescribe them to ward off bacterial infection or if he is unsure whether the pinkeye is caused by a virus or bacteria.

Children usually accept treatment of pinkeye well. They’ll do almost anything to get rid of the sandy, itchy feeling in their eye. Others will protest when it’s time for you to administer the eye drops or ointment.

Usually infectious pinkeye will disappear on its own. However, doctors often prescribe antibiotics in order to speed healing. Antibiotics also prevent the infection from spreading. Infectious pinkeye is not usually serious, but can cause eye damage if not treated with care. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders if you child has infectious pinkeye.

Allergic pinkeye doesn’t usually need antibiotics, but your family physician or the child’s pediatrician may prescribe oral medications to ease the symptoms and keep the child comfortable.

Neonatal pinkeye is a serious condition. Antibiotic drops and ointments should be prescribed by your child’s doctor. If the case is severe, antibiotics may be given by intravenous drip.

Make your child as comfortable as possible while he has pinkeye. Allow him to place cool, not cold, compresses on his eye. Be sure to get a clean cloth every time you cool it for him. This will eliminate the chance spreading.

Administer ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the discomfort of pinkeye. Never give aspirin to children, as it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, which can cause liver and brain damage.

Use pieces of gauze or cotton balls to bath your child’s eyes. When finished, destroy them immediately to prevent spreading of the infection to other family members.

Call the Doctor

If you suspect your child has pinkeye, it is important for him to be seen by your family doctor in order to determine the type of infection he has and proper treatment of the condition. It’s not uncommon for serious eye complications to be mistaken for pinkeye by parents and caregivers. Children should also be seen by your doctor if they complain of sensitivity to light, eye pain, or changes in their eyesight.

If your child contracts pinkeye and it has not improved in three days after treatment, have your doctor take another look, as underlying factors may be present.

Other symptoms that should be cared for by a doctor or other medical professional include soreness of the eyelid or the skin around the eye as well as excessive drainage, yellow or green discharge, swelling or fever. Fever in a child with pinkeye could mean that the infection is present in the eye tissue. If this occurs, your child will need a round of antibiotics to clear the infection.

If in doubt at any time during the duration of the pinkeye, contact your child’s pediatrician or your family doctor. Eyesight is a miraculous sense and something to be protected at all costs.