Pink Eye is the common name for conjunctivitis, and it is very common in children. What it is, is an inflammation of the clear mucous membrane that covers the surface of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. The inflammation is caused by viruses, bacteria or a foreign body (like a piece of dirt or pollen). It's generally not serious and goes away within 7-10 days without treatment. (It is serious if you have a weakened immune system or if you wear contact lenses. I remember my dad had pink eye when I was a little girl. He wore hard contacts and would rub his eyes with his contacts in, causing little cuts on the inside of his eyelids, which made his case of pink eye killer. He was in terrible pain and we ate dinner in the dark for a week.)
Symptoms of pink eye include:
- Redness of the eyes
- Swelling and redness of the eyelids
- Watery, teary eyes
- Itching or burning of the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Drainage
Pink eye is highly contagious. If you or your children have pink eye, you (they) should stay away from school, work, church and/or daycare. If it is caused by a virus you can return when symptoms improve (3-5 days). If it is caused by bacteria, you can return after using antibiotic drops for 24 hours. Most often it is caused by a virus, therefore there is generally no treatment. Seeing a doctor is your best bet, just to be safe.
Ways to Prevent Pink Eye:
- WASH YOUR HANDS and WASH YOUR CHILDREN'S HANDS!
- Never share wash cloths, towels or pillow cases.
- Stay away from bar soap.
- Dust and vacuum frequently.
- If you swim, wear goggles.
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