Conjunctivitis
All That You Need to Know About Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an eye disease in which the conjunctiva,
which is the mucous membrane which covers the eyelid and the
white part of both eyes, becomes inflamed. There are basically
two main types of Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is more
commonly referred to. The first will result from a bacterial
or viral infection and the other results from an allergic
reaction.
The infective form of Conjunctivitis, if it's caused by bacteria,
is usually highly contagious with the hands being the major
tool for transmission. Conjunctivitis which results from an
allergic reaction is normally a seasonal condition as are
most allergies.
Conjunctivitis might also happen when a person is sensitive
to certain facial products and cosmetics. This latter form
is sometimes referred to as irritant Conjunctivitis. Allergic
and irritant Conjunctivitis are not infectious.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The symptoms of the infective form of Conjunctivitis include
discharge that is watery or sticky, eyes that water and feel
gritty, and eyes which will feel as if they have been glued
together upon waking. Mild soreness is sometimes a symptom.
The part of the eye which is normally white will also become
red or pink, this makes Conjunctivitis has earned the nickname
'pink eye'. Because Conjunctivitis sometimes develops along
with a common cold, a person may also have symptoms of a cold
including runny nose, mild fever and a sore throat.
With the allergic form of Conjunctivitis, eyes are itchy
and the eyelids may appear puffy. There may also be a discharge
from the eyes that appears white or watery or ropy.
Who is at risk?
Anyone of us is at risk of getting Conjunctivitis. Because
it can be contagious, a person with Conjunctivitis needs to
take measures not to spread it. It's hard because it is normal
to rub the infected eye as a way of giving temporary relief.
However, if hands are not washed later and the cause is bacterial,
the bacteria can be then transferred to another individual
by getting in touch with the infected hands.
People who have a history of allergies, particularly hay
fever, are at increased risk of developing the allergic form
of conjunctivitis.
Treatment
Infective Conjunctivitis with its obvious pink eye often
will accompany a common cold hence making this eye problem
rather easy to identify. Similarly a person with known allergies
knows whether or not he has allergic Conjunctivitis.
Treatment for infective Conjunctivitis which is caused by
bacteria includes the application of antibiotic ointment or
antibiotic drops. If it is caused by a virus, typically the
condition is left to heal on its own, much like a cold. However,
it is hard to tell whether infective Conjunctivitis has resulted
from bacteria or a virus so oftentimes, no treatment is prescribed.
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