Conjunctivitis is a well-known health condition that is usually caused by an infection or an allergy. It can cause discomfort in the eyes which can be very unpleasant.
If you have recently developed conjunctivitis, then you may be wondering how this has happened and what you can do about it!
What Causes Conjunctivitis?
As mentioned above, conjunctivitis is normally caused by the presence of infection or by an allergic reaction. Either of these factors can lead to inflammation, which prompts the condition to develop.
Signs and Symptoms
When you have conjunctivitis, you might experience bloodshot eyes as well as a burning sensation in them.
It is also likely that you will develop a pus around the eyes that can stick to the lashes and affect the ease at which the eyelids move. This condition can be very itchy, and this could be quite distracting and frustrating during the day and may even keep you awake at night.
Treatment Options
The first step to dealing with conjunctivitis is to ease the symptoms. Doing so will help you to continue with your regular day-to-day activities, such as reading and watching television.
If you have pus in and around your eyes, then it is the most important issue to address. You can do this by boiling water (to sterilise it), allowing it to cool and then using clean cotton swabs or pads to clean your eyelashes and around the eyelids. Once you have removed all of the pus, you can submerge a small towel in cold water and then press this over your face.
Conjunctivitis may clear up without any additional intervention, but this is unfortunately not always the case.
In order to further treat conjunctivitis, you may need to use antibiotics, antihistamine medications or eye drops. You can get guidance on this from your local pharmacist and you will not necessarily need to see a doctor.
If your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, then it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor. This is because you may have a much more serious variation of the condition, which could then go on to cause much more challenging problems, such as loss of vision.
How to Prevent Conjunctivitis
If you currently have conjunctivitis, then it is a good idea to take precautionary steps to not spread it to anyone else.
You can do this by regularly washing your hands with soap and water, and also by making sure you wash your bedding and towels before sharing them with other people.
One isolated incidence of conjunctivitis is not going to be a big deal, but if this becomes a reoccurring problem then it could have bigger and more complicated consequences.
Although conjunctivitis is not always entirely preventable, you should be able to reduce the risk as much as possible. To prevent yourself from developing this ailment in the future, you will want to give your attention to good hygiene practices. It is also a good idea to try and keep any chemical and environmental irritants away from the face and eyes, and to try to avoid injury in this area of your body.