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Pink Eye / Conjunctivitis
What is it and more explanations

Did the pink eye, also called Conjunctivitis, of your baby keep you awake last night? Or did you wake up this morning to see that your eye had turned perfectly pink during the night? You almost couldn't open your eye because it was crusted. And now it's itching and feels like there's something stuck in there...Yes that certainly sounds like a case of conjunctivitis alright

Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye because of the sometimes obvious pinkish color. It is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane. This thin, clear membrane lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball (the white part of your eyes)

That means staying in today (because it's highly contagious) and pampering yourself and making sure you take care of the infected eye(s)

Or being the perfect mom and nurse to your child who has no idea what is happening except that it is not allowed to scratch or rub this annoying itch

Don’t let it get to you, do something about it now!

If you think you or your child may have pink eye, you can do something to ease the pain and discomfort. But remember that It Can be Contagious, so an early diagnosis and treatment keeps it from spreading

Read on and learn about conjunctivitis in general and how with the help of some powerful home remedies you can do something about the pain and discomfort



				What is conjunctivitis?
				Which types are there?
				Infant conjunctivitis
				Symptoms
				Causes
				Powerful Home Remedies
				Prevention and how to handle contagiousness

What is pink eye?

Conjunctivitis is commonly known as pink eye because of the sometimes obvious pinkish color in the eye. It is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva). This thin and clear membrane lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball (the white part of your eyes)

Pink eye seen from 2 angles. There are however a few types of pink eye each with their own symptoms

An inflammation or infection in your eye makes the small blood vessels in that thin membrane more visible and causes the pink or red color in your eye. This can be accompanied by a discharge from the eye which varies from transparent to yellow or green ooze. Most of the time together with an unstoppable itch

Types of Pink Eye

There are a few different types of conjunctivitis and we made the distinction between infectious and non infectious

We start with the infectious varieties,
they are considered contagious to very contagious

Viral pink eye.

The leader in conjunctivitis land. Can be caused by several viruses

Bacterial pink eye

This time the infections are caused by bacteria. More common in children than adults

Chlamydia conjunctivitis (or other STD)

Infections are caused by bacteria which also cause a sexually transmitted disease or STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea

The following are non infectious

Allergic conjunctivitis

This is usually a seasonal ailment and frequently caused by seasonal pollen, dead skin from pets or other animals and dust

Chemical conjunctivitis

This can be caused when irritating chemical substances get into your eye

Giant papillary pink eye

Infections can occur through irritation of the eye by a foreign object. Is a common complication with people who wear contact lenses

Underlying diseases

Sometimes an underlying disease can cause returning bouts of conjunctivitis

Subconjuctival hemorrhage

It might sound like an extremely painful and deadly ailment but is quiet the opposite. Tiny blood vessels in the white of your eye burst from changes in pressure or forceful movements

Follow these links if you want to know more about the symptoms and causes of each of these

Conjunctivitis in infants and babies

Newborns are particularly susceptible to conjunctivitis. If left untreated, especially in babies, this can lead to more serious health complications

Babies are often born with blocked or not totally opened tear ducts, this condition normally clears up by its own, but it can also lead to conjunctivitis

Babies are often born with blocked or not totally opened tear ducts. Normally this clears up in time, but can also lead to pink eye

Conjunctivitis in babies through Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A baby can also attract a bacterial infection during birth. This happens specifically when the child is born to a mother who has a sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia or gonorrhea. During birth the bacteria or virus can pass from the birth canal into the baby's eyes, causing conjunctivitis

To prevent this, doctors give an antibiotic ointment or eye drops to all babies immediately after birth. Sometimes this treatment to prevent developing serious conjunctivitis causes the mild chemical conjunctivitis variation, which typically goes away by itself

Doctors can also screen women who are pregnant for sexual transmitted diseases or STDs. If the doctor finds something he or she can treat the pregnant woman during pregnancy to prevent the baby getting it during delivery

If you want to know more about symptoms, causes, home remedies and prevention, check our other conjunctivitis pages