Did you know that there is more than one type of pink eye? Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, can come from a variety of different factors, but each case can be frustrating to deal with until it is resolved.

When you have pink eye, the sensitive white membranes of your eyes become irritated due to some sort of external hazard. When they are irritated, it affects the blood vessels within your eyes and gives your eye that trademark “pink” hue. Read on to learn about the different kinds of pink eye from our AFC Urgent Care Easley team!

What Is Viral Pink Eye?

Viral pink eye most commonly comes from adenoviruses. This is the same classification of viruses that cause the common cold, so that is why pink eye often accompanies colds.

Viral pink eye is contagious and can easily be spread from person to person until it clears up. Viral cases typically cause watery eyes rather than discharge and don’t make your eye as red as bacterial cases. It can take a couple of days up to a full week for your case to fully resolve.

Pink Eye Symptoms (Bacterial or Viral)

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Eye itchiness
• A gritty feeling in your eye
• Waking up with a crusty film over your eye

What Is Bacterial Pink Eye?

Bacterial pink eye comes from exposure to a bacteria like streptococcus pneumonia. Bacterial cases will also start to resolve within a week or so, but can also be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are NOT effective against viral cases.

If you have a bacterial case, chances are that you are experiencing yellow or green discharge from your eyes, and they are pretty red. You are also at a higher risk of having the infection in both eyes, rather than just one. In the meantime, you can apply a cold compress to your eye, drink water and take some much-needed rest while you wait for it to resolve. Most cases will go away at this point and you can go back to your life!

Avoid the Spread of Pink Eye

• Wash your hands often.
• Don’t touch your eyes.
• Avoid sharing towels or washcloths.
• Get new eye makeup and mascara after a case.

If you are concerned that your recent eye irritation may be related to conjunctivitis, we can help! Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Easley.