How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye? Guide

Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the clear membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. It makes your eye look pink or red, and it can be itchy, watery, or have a sticky discharge. The way to get rid of pink eye depends entirely on what caused it — bacteria, a virus, or an allergy. Bacterial pink eye often needs antibiotic eye drops from a doctor. Viral pink eye usually clears up on its own in 7 to 14 days. Allergic pink eye gets better when you remove the allergen or use antihistamine drops. Most cases are not serious, but knowing the type is the first step to getting the right treatment.

How Can You Tell If Pink Eye Is Bacterial or Viral?

This is the most important question because treatment depends on the answer. Viral pink eye is the most common type. It often starts in one eye and spreads to the other within a day or two. The discharge is usually watery and clear. You might also have cold symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat.

Bacterial pink eye tends to produce a thicker, yellow-green discharge that can crust over your eyelashes, especially after sleep. It often starts in one eye but can stay there. The eye feels gritty and sticky. Children get bacterial pink eye more often than adults. The CDC reports that bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in kids than in adults.

Here is a simple comparison to help you tell them apart:

If you are unsure, see a doctor. They can take a sample of the discharge and test it. But in most cases, the type of discharge and your other symptoms are enough to make a good guess.

How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye at Home

For mild viral or bacterial pink eye, home care is often enough. The body can fight off most cases on its own. The goal is to keep the eye clean and comfortable while it heals.

Use a clean, warm compress. Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and place it gently over the closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps loosen crusts and soothe irritation. Use a different cloth for each eye to avoid spreading infection. Wash your hands before and after touching the area.

Artificial tears can help with dryness and discomfort. Use preservative-free drops if you need them more than four times a day. Throw away the bottle after the infection clears to avoid re-infection. Do not share eye drops with anyone.

Clean the eye gently. Use a clean, damp cotton ball or pad to wipe from the inner corner of the eye outward. Use a fresh cotton ball for each wipe. Discard after each use. Do this as often as needed to remove discharge.

Stop wearing contact lenses until the infection is completely gone. Throw away any lenses and the case you used while infected. Wear glasses until your eye returns to normal.

When Do You Need Antibiotic Eye Drops?

Antibiotics only work for bacterial pink eye. They do nothing for viral or allergic conjunctivitis. Research published in the Cochrane Library found that antibiotic eye drops can shorten the course of bacterial pink eye by about one day. But many cases of bacterial pink eye resolve on their own without antibiotics within 7 to 10 days.

Doctors typically prescribe antibiotic eye drops when the discharge is thick and yellow-green, or when the person has a weakened immune system. Common options include erythromycin ointment, polymyxin-trimethoprim drops, or fluoroquinolone drops like moxifloxacin. Ointments stay in the eye longer but blur vision temporarily. Drops are easier to use during the day.

You should see a doctor if you have severe eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, or if your symptoms get worse after 24 hours of home care. Also see a doctor if you have a weakened immune system from conditions like diabetes or HIV.

Do not ask a friend for leftover antibiotic drops. Using the wrong type can make things worse. Some bacterial strains are resistant to common antibiotics. A doctor needs to choose the right one for your specific infection.

What About Allergic Pink Eye?

Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. It happens when your eyes react to something in the environment like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold. Both eyes usually get red and itchy at the same time. The discharge is watery. You might also have sneezing or a stuffy nose.

The best treatment is to avoid the trigger. If you know what causes your allergies, stay away from it. During pollen season, keep windows closed and use air conditioning. Wash your face and change clothes after being outdoors.

Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen (Zaditor) can relieve itching and redness within minutes. They work by blocking histamine release in the eye. Some people also find relief with oral antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec). But oral antihistamines can dry out your eyes, which may make discomfort worse.

Cold compresses help reduce swelling and itching. Use a clean cloth soaked in cold water. Place it over closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed.

If over-the-counter options do not work, a doctor can prescribe stronger drops like olopatadine (Patanol) or a short course of steroid eye drops. Steroid drops should only be used under medical supervision because they can increase eye pressure and raise the risk of glaucoma with long-term use.

Common Mistakes That Make Pink Eye Worse

Many people make the same errors when trying to get rid of pink eye. These mistakes can prolong the infection or spread it to others.

• Using the same towel or washcloth. The bacteria or virus lives on fabric. Use a clean towel each day. Do not share towels with family members.
• Rubbing your eyes. This irritates the eye more and can spread infection to the other eye or to your hands. If you must touch your eye, wash your hands first.
• Returning to work or school too soon. Viral pink eye is contagious as long as symptoms are present. Bacterial pink eye is contagious until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Stay home until the eye is no longer red and watery.
• Using makeup. Eye makeup can trap bacteria and delay healing. Throw away any mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow you used during the infection. Do not wear makeup until the eye is completely clear.
• Using expired eye drops. Expired drops may not work and can introduce bacteria into your eye. Check the expiration date before using any drops.
• Wearing contact lenses. Lenses can trap discharge and bacteria against your eye. Switch to glasses until the infection is fully resolved.

One non-obvious point: do not use redness-relief drops like Visine. These contain vasoconstrictors that shrink blood vessels and make the eye look less red, but they do not treat the infection. They can also cause rebound redness when you stop using them.

Can Pink Eye Heal Without Any Treatment?

Yes, most cases of viral pink eye heal on their own. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that viral conjunctivitis typically resolves in 7 to 14 days without medical treatment. Bacterial pink eye also clears up without antibiotics in many cases, though it may take a few days longer.

The body’s immune system handles the infection. Your job is to keep the eye clean and comfortable while it works. That is why home care like warm compresses and artificial tears is the mainstay of treatment for most people.

But there are exceptions. Newborns with pink eye need immediate medical attention because the infection can be more serious. People with weakened immune systems should see a doctor promptly. If you have eye pain, sensitivity to light, or vision changes, do not wait. See a doctor the same day.

Some people report that breast milk or honey helps pink eye. There is no clinical evidence that these work for conjunctivitis. Breast milk contains antibodies, but not in high enough concentration to treat an active eye infection. Honey can contain bacteria and should never go in your eye. Stick to treatments with proven benefit.