So, you think your child has pink eye symptoms. Now what?

When a child wakes up with a crusty eye, many parents worry about pink eye symptoms and call their pediatrician immediately for pink eye drops. After all, pink eye (conjunctivitis) is extremely contagious—but there’s often more to the story.

From how to get rid of pink eye, to how long does pink eye last, you probably have a lot of questions. Here’s what you need to know if you’re worried your child is showing symptoms of pink eye.

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, more formally known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. Pink eye gets its name from the characteristic pink or red color that occurs when blood vessels in the conjunctiva become irritated or swollen.

Pink eye can be caused by several factors, with viral or bacterial infections and allergies being the most common causes. Pink eye is highly contagious when caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Although most common among children, teenagers and adults can get pink eye too.

Pink eye symptoms

Pink eye can be uncomfortable for kids and cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Eye crusting
• Thick green-yellow drainage from the eye when awake
• Light sensitivity
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Itchy eyes
• Dry eyes
• Eye redness
• Burning eyes
• Blurred vision
• Mild eye pain
• Feeling like there’s sand in the eye

Contrary to the name “pink eye,” conjunctivitis doesn’t always cause eye redness. Eye crusting and thick green-yellow colored discharge during the day are the most common symptoms.

What causes pink eye?

There are three main causes of conjunctivitis, or pink eye: bacterial, viral and allergic. Here’s what you need to know about each type.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. It’s characterized by redness, swelling and irritation in the affected eye, accompanied by a thick, sticky discharge that is typically yellow or green.

Unlike viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, and the discharge often crusts over the eyelids, particularly after sleep.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, typically one that causes upper respiratory infections (the common cold). Viral conjunctivitis is usually associated with nasal congestion, runny nose or cough. It causes eye crusting after sleeping but does not cause a colored discharge throughout the day like bacterial conjunctivitis.

These infections typically resolve on their own with time as your child’s immune system fights off the viral infection.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by seasonal or non-seasonal allergies. It’s typically associated with allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion and postnasal drip. The classic signs of allergic conjunctivitis are itchy, watery eyes. Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis causes a clear, watery eye drainage, not a thick, colored discharge.

Kids with allergic conjunctivitis tend to rub their eyes constantly throughout the day due to the itching. The frequent rubbing can cause the eye to become red, but this kind of pink eye isn’t contagious.

How to get rid of pink eye

If you think your child has bacterial or viral pink eye symptoms, you’ll want to call your pediatrician. Diagnosing infectious pink eye typically requires a physical exam in your pediatrician’s office.

Pediatricians should especially evaluate bacterial conjunctivitis in office because it is commonly associated with ear infections. This is important for your physician to differentiate as regular pink eye only needs antibiotic eye drops for treatment, whereas an associated ear infection needs oral antibiotics for treatment. Antibiotic eye drops will not treat an ear infection if there is one present.

If you’re worried about your child having pink eye, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. They can help decide what treatments are best for you or your child.

Pink eye drops

While viral conjunctivitis typically resolves on its own with time, bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by a doctor. These should help clear the infection in a few days.

If your child has trouble with eye drops, have them close their eye and then put the eye drops in the inner corner of the closed eye. When your child opens the eye, the medicine will flow in.

Over-the-counter medications for pink eye

For allergic conjunctivitis, you can talk to your pediatrician about ways to relieve your child’s allergy symptoms. Over-the-counter medications like antihistamines or decongestants may help with itchy, watery eyes.

Home treatment for pink eye

Antibiotics are often necessary to get rid of bacterial conjunctivitis. However, there are some things you can do at home to help ease your child’s discomfort and prevent further spread of the infection during their recovery.

• Use a cool or warm compress on the eye a few minutes at a time, several times a day.
• Clean the eye frequently with warm water and gauze or cotton balls.
• If your child uses contact lenses, take a break from wearing them. Be sure to disinfect their current lenses or replace them once the pink eye clears up.
• Use lubricating eye drops, or “artificial tears.”
• If your child wears makeup, they should avoid wearing makeup until their symptoms disappear.

How long does pink eye last?

Most cases of pink eye are mild and clear up in 7-10 days, although some infections can take longer to clear. Because pink eye is highly contagious, it's important for your child to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes. Make sure they wash their hands frequently to prevent spreading the infection to others.

Pink eye is typically contagious for as long as symptoms continue. For viral conjunctivitis, the contagious period usually lasts until the eye no longer shows signs of infection, which can range from a few days to two weeks, depending on the severity. Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is contagious until 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.

It's important to avoid close contact with others, practice good hygiene and refrain from sharing personal items to prevent spreading the infection during the contagious period. Your child’s school or daycare may have a policy on when children can return after beginning treatment for pink eye, so be sure and check your child’s school policies.

As always, talk to your child’s pediatrician or family medicine physician about any concerns or worries. Whether it’s pink eye or something else, we can help your child start feeling better. Find a doctor near you today.