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What Are The Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)?

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, typically causes the white of the eye to become pink or red. You may also have additional symptoms, including itching, burning, or watering eyes, among others.

Conjunctivitis occurs when an infection or an irritant causes inflammation in the conjunctiva. As its common name suggests, conjunctivitis can cause the eyes to appear pink or red. This happens because the blood vessels in the conjunctiva dilate or swell.

Symptoms of pink eye can vary from person to person and may look different in adults than in children and infants. They may also be different depending on the cause of conjunctivitis.

Keep reading to learn about the common and less common symptoms of conjunctivitis, other potential causes for those symptoms, and when to get medical attention.

OTC eye drops called artificial tears

using a cold compress over the eyes

cleaning your eyelids

Viral conjunctivitis can take 1 to 3 weeks to clear, though symptoms may start to improve after 4 to 5 days. Because it's very contagious, it's best to stay home from work and school until it clears up.

Bacterial conjunctivitis usually gets better in 2 to 5 days but can take up to 2 weeks to go away. Doctors treat this type of conjunctivitis with antibiotics.

If you have conjunctivitis due to allergies, eye drops specifically formulated for allergies may help it go away.

While conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own, you may need medical treatment depending on your symptoms and the cause of your conjunctivitis.

For instance, if your conjunctivitis results from a bacterial infection and it doesn't go away on its own, you may need a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.

Conjunctivitis can have symptoms that are similar to other health conditions affecting the eye that may need treatment.

You may need medical attention if:

your symptoms do not improve or worsen after a few days

you have a lot of eye discharge or pain

you have blurry vision or light sensitivity that doesn't improve after removing eye discharge

you scratched your eye recently or regularly wear contacts

you have a compromised immune system or take immune-suppressing medication for a health condition, including those for autoimmune disease or cancer

Conjunctivitis usually causes pink or red eyes. People also tend to experience itching, burning, or eye discharge, though pink eye can cause various symptoms.

If your symptoms are concerning, do not seem to improve, or get worse, it's best to seek medical attention.

Can You Get Conjunctivitis From A Pool?

Chlorine in swimming pools can irritate your eyes and may lead to conjunctivitis. Microbes can also get into your eyes from the swimming pool water. It's important to know how to protect your eyes and prevent any irritation or infection.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, can spread in a swimming pool. Chlorine from the water can cause eye irritation, which may make it easier for bacteria or viruses to grow as the eye's defenses are weakened. The chlorine itself can also cause a reaction.

Conjunctivitis happens when the conjunctiva of the eye becomes inflamed. This inflammation can make the eye's blood vessels more noticeable and give your eyes a red appearance.

Conjunctivitis that is due to a bacteria or virus can be very contagious.

Read on to learn about the different types of conjunctivitis and how to protect your eyes when you go swimming.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis can vary depending on the cause.

Common symptoms may include include:

pink or red-tinged eyes

feeling as though there is sand or grit in your eyes

crustiness that builds up in your eyes overnight

itchy eyes

watery eyes or excess tears

Some other complications include pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, or intense redness of the eye.

Acute conjunctivitis lasts from 1 to 2 weeks, whereas chronic conjunctivitis lasts 4 weeks or more.

Conjunctivitis can have different symptoms depending on what's causing it.

Viral: Discharge is typically watery. You may also have a cold or flu. This type often starts in one eye and moves to the other in a few days.

Bacterial: Discharge typically occurs as thick pus that makes your eyelid stick together. You may also have an ear infection.

Allergic: This type typically affects both eyes, and you may have watery, swollen eyes. Intense itching, itchy nose and throat, sneezing, and asthma can occur.

Irritant: You may experience mucus discharge and eye watering.

The most common type of conjunctivitis is viral conjunctivitis.

Viral

Many types of viruses, including the ones that cause colds, can cause conjunctivitis. So, if you have a cold, it's possible you may also develop pink eye.

Viruses that can lead to pink eye include:

adenoviruses (this is one of the main causes)

Rubella virus

Rubeola virus, which causes measles

herpesviruses, such as herpes simplex virus, VSV, Epstein-Barr

picornaviruses, such as the coxsackievirus A24 and enterovirus 70

Bacterial

Various types of bacteria can cause pink eye. Some common types of bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis include:

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus pneumonia

Haemophilus influenzae

This type of conjunctivitis is typically treated with antibiotics.

Allergic

This type of conjunctivitis can result from an allergic reaction. It's not contagious but can cause your eyes to become itchy, red, and watery. You may also experience swelling of your eyelids.

Chlorine in pool water can cause this type.

Irritant

This can be due to things like a loose eyelash or shampoo. Chlorine in swimming pool water can also irritate the eye.

This type of conjunctivitis usually goes away once the cause of irritation is removed.

Microbes may survive in pool water even though it has had chlorine added to it. The chlorine itself can also irritate your eyes and cause conjunctivitis. This is known as the "swimmer's eye."

If you wear contact lenses, you may be more likely to get an eye infection from the swimming pool.

This is because contact lenses can hold water directly against your eye. This means that any microbes will have prolonged contact with your eye.

It is best to avoid swimming in contacts. You can use goggles with correction instead. Or, if you do wear them, make sure to replace them after swimming.

You should avoid swimming if you have conjunctivitis as it may worsen your symptoms and risk transmitting the condition to others if it is due to an infection.

If you have conjunctivitis that is due to an allergy or an irritant, the pool water may irritate your eyes further. Though, this type of conjunctivitis is not infectious.

If your pink eye is due to an infection — that is, a microbe such as a bacteria or virus — as well as irritating your eyes further, the condition can spread to others via the water if you go swimming.

To protect your eyes from irritation from pool water, you may want to wear goggles. It's also a good idea to take out your contact lenses before you go swimming.

After swimming, make sure to wash your eyes with clean water.

To help stop the spread of infectious pink eye in swimming pools, you should avoid swimming if you have this condition.

If you wear contact lenses, it's a good idea to take them out when you go swimming. You should also stop using them whilst you have an eye infection to prevent reinfection. Clean any contact lenses that you had been wearing and throw away any disposable lenses that you used.

If you touch your eye, for example, when applying treatment, make sure to wash your hands before and straight after to stop germs from getting into your eye.

Also, wash any bedding and towels regularly in hot water and avoid sharing personal items such as washcloths and makeup brushes to prevent reinfection or transmitting the condition to others.

If you have symptoms of conjunctivitis, speak with your pharmacist or doctor, who can advise you on specific treatments to help reduce symptoms and treat any infection you may have.

Common treatments include:

Antibiotic eye drops or ointments if bacteria is the cause, for example:

moxifloxacin

ciprofloxacin

trimethoprim/polymyxin

You typically take these for 7 to 10 days, and they can treat a wide range of bacteria types.

If your conjunctivitis is due to irritation from the swimming pool, washing your eyes with plain water should help. Nonprescription eye drops can also help relieve symptoms.

If symptoms persist, it's a good idea to seek medical help.

It is possible to get conjunctivitis from a swimming pool, either due to microbes or the chlorine in the water. But there are ways you can protect your eyes and reduce the risk.

Rinsing your eyes with water can help to get rid of any irritants after swimming. You can also use eye drops to reduce inflammation.

If your symptoms are due to a bacterial infection, you'll need to get antibiotic treatments from your pharmacy or doctor.

If you have persistent irritation in your eyes and symptoms of conjunctivitis, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional who can advise you on the best course of treatment.

They can also properly diagnose your condition and help you avoid getting it again.

Remedies For Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin tissue that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the white part of the eyes. The conjunctiva keeps your eyeballs moist. When it's infected, the blood vessels swell and turn the white part of your eye bright red. 

Pink eye symptoms will vary based on the type of inflammation, but can include: 

Redness in the inner eyelid or on the whites of the eyes

An itching or burning sensation

Thick discharge that forms a crust over the eyelids

A "gritty" feeling in the eyes

Swollen eyelids

Blurry vision

Sensitivity to light

Pink eye can appear in just one eye or it may affect both. The condition usually isn't painful, but it can definitely be uncomfortable. Different types of inflammation lead to pink eye. The three main types are:

Viral

Viral inflammation can occur when you get a cold, the flu, or a respiratory infection. It begins in one eye and spreads to the other within a few days. Eye discharge has a watery consistency. 

Bacterial 

Bacterial pink eye creates the crusty discharge that makes your eyelashes stick together. Your eye will be red and might feel itchy. This type is highly contagious and can spread for up to 48 hours after starting antibiotics to treat the infection. 

Allergic

If both of your eyes are red, swollen, tearing up, and itchy, the culprit is most likely seasonal allergies. 

Not all forms of pink eye are contagious or require medical care. These prescription and at-home remedies can help alleviate symptoms for the various types of conjunctivitis: 

Eye Drops

Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops can alleviate dryness and itchiness. You can buy artificial tears formulated to lubricate your eyes. Avoid brands that reduce redness, as this can lead to more irritation. 

Cold or Warm Compress

Place a clean washcloth in cool or lukewarm water and let it soak for a minute. Wring out the cloth, and press it gently onto one or both eyes. If just one eye is infected, keep the compress away from the healthy eye. Apply the compress several times a day.

Prescription Treatments for Pink Eye

Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops or an ointment. This medication helps clear the infection, reduce eye complications, and prevent you from spreading pink eye to other people. A typical course of treatment lasts from five to seven days. Other therapies include:

Artificial tears to keep eyes moist

Antihistamines to stop itchiness and discomfort from common allergens

Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and redness 

Topical corticosteroids in cases of severe conjunctivitis 

Mild forms of bacterial pink eye often improve within two to five days without antibiotics. However, the infection can last for up to two weeks, so it's important to talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment. 

To prevent future infections, throw away contaminated soft contact lenses and eye makeup. Rigid contact lenses should be disinfected or replaced. 

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: 

Increasing pain or blurred vision

Extreme sensitivity to light

Symptoms that continue to get worse, or have lasted a week or more

Excessive pus or mucus in the eye

Fever or body aches, as this could be a sign of another infection

You have a weakened immune system, have HIV, or are undergoing cancer treatment

Pink Eye in Children

Pink eye occurs in both adults and children and is a common reason why kids miss school. Here are some ways to help  prevent infection: 

Use clean tissues or towels after wiping your eyes or face;  don't wipe one eye and then use the same tissue to wipe the other eye.

Wash your hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing

Don't touch your eyes! Wash your hands if you do.

Call your doctor if you suspect that your child has pink eye. Newborns with symptoms of pink eye need immediate medical care.

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