Pink Eye is an uncomfortable infection that can cause irritation around the eye and other uncomfortable side effects. Learn about pink eye, what causes it and how to avoid it in this article. Visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for Pink Eye diagnosis & treatment by walking in today.
What is Pink Eye?
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, can be a viral or bacterial infection which affects the eye. It is often referred to as pink eye due to the swelling and redness that occurs as a result of the infection around the clear outer membrane of the eye and inner eyelid called the conjunctiva. In most cases, pink eye is caused by a viral infection, although a bacterial infection can also cause these symptoms.
Common symptoms of pink eye:
- Redness around whites of eyes
- Swelling and irritation in eyes
- Itchiness in or around the eye
- Discharge
- Sensitivity to light
Although conjunctivitis can be uncomfortable, it rarely causes any permanent damage to your vision. If you are experiencing symptoms of pink eye, it is best to seek urgent care to ensure that the discomfort is not caused by a foreign object or more serious condition.
How to Prevent Pink Eye
Viruses are notoriously contagious. Because most pink eye cases are viral, steps you can take to prevent pink eye can also help prevent you from contracting other common fall illnesses such as a cold or even the flu.
These prevention steps include:
- Regular hand washing
- Avoiding sick people
- Disinfecting touch points regularly
- Avoiding irritants near the eyes such as allergens and chemicals
- Avoid touching your eyes
- Don’t share washcloths
Keeping healthy this fall season doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these simple steps, it is easy to reduce your risk of contracting pink eye. It is also important to isolate yourself when sick so that you do not spread your illness to others.
Pink Eye Diagnosis & Treatment at Urgent Care
Treatment for pink eye will depend on what kind of infection you have. Your healthcare provider will need to test you to determine whether your infection is caused by a virus or a bacteria by swabbing your eye and sending it to a lab for testing.
For viral infections, there is no real medical treatment that exists for viral pink eye. Your doctor may suggest some over the counter eye drops to alleviate the discomfort you’re experiencing from the infection, however, in most cases the infection will resolve itself in a week.
For bacterial pink eye infections your healthcare provider will likely prescribe you a round of antibiotics to help fight off the infection. Your healthcare provider may also suggest some over the counter options to help with the symptoms as you wait for the antibiotics to kick in.
Get Pink Eye Diagnosis & Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Stoneham Today
Pink eye is never fun. Not only does it cause pain and discomfort around your eye, but it also can be embarrassing to be seen with red or pink eyes in public. Fortunately, AFC Urgent Care Stoneham is here to help diagnose your pink eye and get you on the road to recovery quickly. Walk-in today for fast treatment, or schedule your visit online here. If you have any additional questions about pink eye symptoms or treatment, please call us directly at 781-279-4000.
