Pink eye, also called “conjunctivitis,” is the most common eye infection in the world, affecting both children and adults. Conjunctivitis occurs when harmful irritants or germs invade the conjunctiva, or the thin membrane that coats the eyeball and lines the inner eyelid, providing moisture to both. Though conjunctivitis can have singular causes, such as allergens or foreign objects in the eye, it is most often the result of a common virus or bacteria. Viral and bacterial pink eye are both highly contagious and easily transmitted through touch, sexual contact, and the sharing of eye makeup and tools.
Because the most common types of pink eye are highly contagious, it is important to understand what steps you can take to reduce its spread. This is particularly true if there is a pink eye outbreak in your community, or if you yourself develop symptoms.
How To Stop the Spread if You Have Conjunctivitis
If you have conjunctivitis, there are several steps you can and should take to avoid spreading it to others. The most effective means of reducing the risk of spread are as follows:
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If you wash your infected eyes, or if you apply ointment or eyedrops to them, be extra thorough in your handwashing. If, for whatever reason, you do not have soap and/or hot water available, cleanse your hands with a solution that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- With a fresh cotton ball and wet washcloth, wipe any discharge from your eyes several times a day. Once you are done with the cloth, clean it with hot water and detergent. If you use a cotton ball, throw it away immediately after using. Once you are done handling the infected material, wash your hands with soap and water right away.
- Wash washcloths, pillowcases, sheets and towels immediately after each use. Again, be sure to wash your hands with soap and hot water as soon after handling infected materials as possible.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to start doing so again.
- If you need eye drops, avoid using the same bottle or dispenser for your infected eye and non-infected eye.
- If you wear glasses, be careful to avoid cross-contamination with them and infected materials. Also, clean the lenses often.
- Avoid sharing personal items, such as pillows, eyeglass cleaners, towels, washcloths, face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lens storage containers, eye drops, eyeglasses and other items that have the potential to spread the condition.
- Do not go in any swimming pools or hot tubs.
By being extra vigilant, you can avoid spreading the pink eye-causing bacteria or virus to other people.
How To Avoid Contracting Pink Eye
If someone close to you or with whom you have close contact has conjunctivitis, you must be as equally vigilant to avoid contracting pink eye as you would be when avoiding spreading it. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing the condition are as follows:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Again, if you do not have access to soap and water, use a cleansing solution that contains 60% alcohol.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with either an infected person or items that an infected person may have touched, such as a pillowcase, writing utensil or doorknob.
- Do not share items with an infected person, especially items that come into contact or close contact with the eye, such as makeup, makeup brushes, eyedrops and eyeglass cleansing cloths.
- Avoid touching your eyes, especially with unwashed hands.
Avoid Reinfection
Pink eye, unlike many other conditions, will reinfect the same person again and again if given the opportunity. To prevent reinfection, there are several steps you can take:
- Thoroughly cleanse any eyeglass containers or cases you used while infected
- Throw away and replace any makeup brushes and eye makeup you used while infected
- Toss any contact lens solutions you used during the period of inflammation
- Throw away disposable contact lenses and cases that you use during your period of infection
- Cleanse extended wear lenses as directed
