Pink eye is a very common cause of irritated eyes. If you wake up one morning with a crusty, red or inflamed eye, you will probably start to think that you came down with pink eye somehow.

Thankfully, conjunctivitis, which is the medical diagnosis of pink eye, is easily treatable and will eventually resolve. It comes from an infection or irritation of the sensitive white membranes around your cornea.

When they become irritated, the blood vessels within them turn red. That’s where the term “pink eye” comes from! Get the facts about pink eye from our team at AFC Urgent Care Greenwood below.

Where Does Pink Eye Come From?

Pink eye is a reaction to some type of hazard within your eye. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, foreign object or chemical exposure that can set in and irritate your eye.

Most cases are mild and will either slowly go away on their own or with some simple treatments. However, it is still important to get checked out by a medical provider to make sure it is not a more serious condition. Watch out for the symptoms listed below as well.

Pink Eye Symptoms

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Eye itchiness
• A gritty feeling in your eye
• Waking up with a crusty film over your eye

How Can I Avoid Spreading Pink Eye?

It depends on what kind of case you have! If your conjunctivitis is viral or bacterial, you are contagious to others. Avoid contact with others until your symptoms resolve or 24 hours after you begin a round of antibiotics (for bacterial cases only). If it came from an allergen or another external irritant, you are not contagious and won’t spread it to another person unless an infection sets in.

In the meantime, you can apply a cold compress to your eye, drink water and take some much-needed rest while you wait for it to resolve. Most cases will go away at this point and you can go back to your life!

Avoid Spreading Pink Eye

• Wash your hands often.
• Don’t touch your eyes.
• Avoid sharing towels or washcloths.
• Get new eye makeup and mascara after a case.

If you are concerned that your recent eye irritation may be related to conjunctivitis, we can help! Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Greenwood.