Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIdentifying ItCausesWhen to Seek CareTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Identifying It
Causes
When to Seek Care
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the whites of the eyes and the inner eyelids. Pink eye is very contagious.
It’s estimated that about 6 million people in the United States experience pink eye every year.Children in group settings such as school or day care are especially at risk.
This article describes how to recognize pink eye in children and treatment options.
Identifying Pink Eye in Kids
The first sign ofpink eyein children is usually eye redness. The white portion of their eye may appear pink or red. Other symptoms include:
Pink Eye Causes
There are several possible causes of pink eye in children, and treatment may vary based on the underlying cause.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Abacterial infectionof the conjunctiva causes bacterial pink eye. Bacteria that may cause bacterial pink eye includeStaphylococcus aureusandStreptococcus pneumonia,among others.
Bacterial pink eye spreads quickly and affects more children than adults. In the United States, it is most common from December through April. Bacterial pink eye sometimes occurs with anear infectionin young children.
Viral Pink Eye
A viral infection of the conjunctiva causes viral pink eye. The group ofadenovirusesis often the cause of viral pink eye.
Viral pink eye is very contagious. In addition to the usual pink eye symptoms, children may also exhibit signs of thecommon coldor theflu. It’s common to experience watery discharge from the eye as well. Viral pink eye often begins in one eye but quickly spreads to the other.
Allergic Pink Eye
Allergic pink eye usually occurs in both eyes. Common symptoms include swelling, tearing, and intense itching. Children may also develop an itchy nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. Allergic pink eye may occur during pollen season or may be present year-round, depending on the allergen involved.
Is It Pink Eye or Allergies?
Irritant Pink Eye
Irritant pink eye occurs when a foreign body or other irritant comes in contact with the conjunctiva. Common irritants may include dust, smoke, fumes, or chemicals. It can also occur when someone wears their contact lenses longer than recommended.
Irritant pink eye is not contagious and is not as common in children as adults. Symptoms may include watery eyes and thick mucus discharge.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Many cases of pink eye resolve on their own. However, it’s important to see a healthcare provider if your child develops any of these symptoms:
Newborns with pink eye symptoms should see a healthcare provider right away.
Pink Eye Treatment
Pink eye usually is a mild condition that often resolves on its own. Try offering your child a cold compress over their eye at home. This can feel soothing and help to reduce inflammation and itching.
Bacterial pink eye can take anywhere from two days to two weeks to resolve without treatment.Your primary care provider or pediatrician may recommend an antibiotic ointment or drops to shorten the duration of symptoms.
Most cases of viral pink eye are mild and do not require treatment. Antibiotics are not an effective remedy for viral infections. Symptoms of viral pink eye usually last about 7 to 14 days.
Eye ItchingThe itchy eye associated with pink eye can be very irritating, especially for young children. Try cleaning your child’s eyelids with a warm cloth. This can help to remove any discharge or crusting.
Eye Itching
The itchy eye associated with pink eye can be very irritating, especially for young children. Try cleaning your child’s eyelids with a warm cloth. This can help to remove any discharge or crusting.
Pink Eye Prevention
When a child has pink eye, it’s important to wash all their linens like towels and pillowcases in hot water. Children with pink eye should not wear contact lenses or play in swimming pools.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Every parent dreads the phone call from day care letting them know that their child has been exposed to pink eye. While the condition is often uncomfortable, most cases of pink eye in children are mild. Call your healthcare provider if your child’s symptoms worsen or they develop new symptoms such as pain or blurred vision.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA child with pink eye is usually contagious as long as they have symptoms. Once the eye redness and discharge resolve, they can safely return to school or day care.Learn MoreLearn MoreMost schools and day care centers have policies that prevent a child with pink eye from attending. Most children can return to school or day care once they have been on antibiotic eye drops or ointment for 24 hours and are free of fever.Most cases of pink eye usually resolve within a week. Viral pink eye cannot be shortened and needs to run its course. Bacterial pink eye can be treated with antibiotic ointment or drops to speed healing.
A child with pink eye is usually contagious as long as they have symptoms. Once the eye redness and discharge resolve, they can safely return to school or day care.Learn MoreLearn More
A child with pink eye is usually contagious as long as they have symptoms. Once the eye redness and discharge resolve, they can safely return to school or day care.
Learn MoreLearn More
Most schools and day care centers have policies that prevent a child with pink eye from attending. Most children can return to school or day care once they have been on antibiotic eye drops or ointment for 24 hours and are free of fever.
Most cases of pink eye usually resolve within a week. Viral pink eye cannot be shortened and needs to run its course. Bacterial pink eye can be treated with antibiotic ointment or drops to speed healing.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment [published correction appears in JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1):95. Dosage error in article text].JAMA. 2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating pink eye (conjunctivitis).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Why are my eyes itchy? Answers from an expert.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Pediatrics.Do I need to keep my son home if he has pinkeye?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye home remedies.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment [published correction appears in JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1):95. Dosage error in article text].JAMA. 2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating pink eye (conjunctivitis).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Why are my eyes itchy? Answers from an expert.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Pediatrics.Do I need to keep my son home if he has pinkeye?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye home remedies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment [published correction appears in JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1):95. Dosage error in article text].JAMA. 2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating pink eye (conjunctivitis).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Why are my eyes itchy? Answers from an expert.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Pediatrics.Do I need to keep my son home if he has pinkeye?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye home remedies.
Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment [published correction appears in JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1):95. Dosage error in article text].JAMA. 2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Why are my eyes itchy? Answers from an expert.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing pink eye (conjunctivitis).
American Academy of Pediatrics.Do I need to keep my son home if he has pinkeye?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye home remedies.
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