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Conjunctivitis commonly known as Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. This disease is common in children and is rarely serious. However, it is highly contagious, and if treated at the right time and prevented before spreading it has no long-term problems.
Conjunctivitis sometimes results from a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea can bring on a rare but dangerous form of bacterial conjunctivitis. It can lead to vision loss if you don’t treat it. Chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis in adults.
At Family Urgent Care we provide professional services to both children and adults for Pink eye. Our highly skilled staff and professional doctors make sure you are treated for pink eye in no time. We take all the tests to reach the root cause before diagnosis and treatment.
What causes Pink eye?
Pink eye can be caused due to viruses or bacteria usually the ones that cause the common cold. Irritants that get into the eye like shampoos, dirt, or smoke can also cause pink eye. A reaction to eye drops, an allergic reaction to things like pollen, dust, or smoke. Or it could be due to a special type of allergy that affects some people who wear contact lenses are some of the causes for Pink eye.
What are the types of Pink eyes?
There are three types of the pink eye; allergic, bacterial, or viral.
In the allergic reaction that causes pink eye mass cells in your eye recognize allergens as foreign invaders and release a chemical called histamine as a defense mechanism. In turn, the histamine causes inflammation and swelling that leave eyes red, teary, and itchy.
Some of the bacteria cause Pink eye too, though it is very rare.
Lastly, Viral infections cause most conjunctivitis cases. Many different viruses, such as adenovirus, which typically leads to the common cold, can be the source of infection. it is very common in children.
How to prevent Pink eye?
Although it is harmless, pink eye can get very irritating which is why you must prevent it from spreading to happening to you by some of these tips:
Wash your hands often with soap and water, and help young children do the same.
Clean, store, and replace your contact lenses as instructed by your eye doctor.
Avoid sharing personal items, such as makeup, eye drops, towels, bedding, contact lenses, etc
Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes excessively.
How to treat Pink eye?
Doctors prescribe different medications for different types of conjunctivitis.
Mild Bacterial conjunctivitis may not need antibiotics to get better. It heals on its own in 2-4 days. If it does not then the doctor may prescribe antibiotics in form of ointment or eye drops.
Like bacterial conjunctivitis, mild viral conjunctivitis may last for 7-14 days before clearing up completely without any treatment and complications. Doctors may prescribe antiviral medication if the case looks serious.
Allergic conjunctivitis goes away with medications and certain eye drops (topical antihistamines and vasoconstrictors), including some prescription eye drops, can also provide relief from allergic conjunctivitis.
As we previously mentioned, pink eye is harmless and goes on its own. However, If your pink eye lasts anything more than 5 days, you need to visit the nearest emergency room for urgent medical care.
Ignoring the viral pink eye puts your eyes in jeopardy and can potentially affect your vision.
In such cases, Family urgent care clinics provides ER services and has professionals who can provide immediate and definite care for Pink eye. We entertain walk-in consultations, checkups and ER services. Contact us today for your family, and yourself. We have three locations, namely, Schererville Urgent Care Clinic, Lincoln Park Urgent care Clinic and Morse Urgent Care Clinic. Visit us today!
