{"id":14850,"date":"2020-08-10T16:02:09","date_gmt":"2020-08-10T20:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=14850"},"modified":"2024-05-28T11:53:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T15:53:16","slug":"pink-eye-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pink-eye-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"How to treat\u2014and avoid\u2014pink eye in children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Endless coughs and sneezes, runny noses, and unexplained itchy bumps\u2014kids seem to be a magnet for germs. In our parent’s guide to childhood illnesses, we talk about the symptoms and treatments for the most common conditions. Read the full series here<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is pink eye?<\/span><\/a> | Causes of pink eye in children<\/a> | Contagiousness<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | How to administer eye drops<\/a> | Prevention<\/a><\/p>\n

When I was a daycare provider, the sight of a goopy eye stopped me in my tracks. The sticky gunk in the corner of a child\u2019s eye was a good indication of the dreaded<\/span> pink eye<\/span><\/a>\u2014a common (and usually contagious) eye infection, especially in children. It meant phone calls to parents, letters home informing families to be on the lookout, and often the knowledge that I would be wrestling eye drops into a reluctant toddler within the week when they returned to class. As a parent, the crusty eyes of my own children meant time off work, and the same pint-sized wrestling match.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The good news is, while pink eye is an inconvenient annoyance, it is rarely serious and usually goes away quickly on its own or with treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is pink eye (conjunctivitis)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Conjunctivitis<\/span><\/a>, commonly known as \u201cpink eye,\u201d is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (tissue covering the inside of the eyelids and white part of the eye.) Pink eye is a very common condition in both children and adults. Some types of pink eye spread easily from person to person, especially in settings like daycare centers and<\/span> schools<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes pink eye in children?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are <\/span>three main types of childhood pink eye<\/span><\/a>. Each has different causes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Viral pink eye<\/b> is caused by common viruses such as adenoviruses and herpes virus.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Bacterial pink eye<\/b> is caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Moraxella. \u201cEighty percent of the time a child\u2019s pink eye is due to a bacterial cause,\u201d says <\/span>Ashanti Woods<\/span><\/a>, MD, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Allergic pink eye<\/b> (also called irritant conjunctivitis) is a symptom of seasonal allergies or an allergic reaction (such as to animal dander), or caused by an eye-irritant such as pool water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Conjunctivitis in newborns and infants can be very serious and your child should see their provider promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Is pink eye contagious?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Although allergic pink eye is not contagious, viral and bacterial pink eye are<\/span> highly contagious<\/span><\/a> and spread easily from one eye to the other, and between people.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Viral pink eye<\/b> is usually contagious before symptoms appear, and stays contagious for the duration of the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bacterial pink eye<\/b> begins being contagious when symptoms appear and stays contagious until eye discharge is no longer present, or until 24 hours after beginning antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Pink eye symptoms in children<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Symptoms of pink eye can occur in one or both eyes. The symptoms vary from child to child, but <\/span>include<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n