Pink eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is a highly contagious eye infection that can quickly spread, especially among children in daycare or school. It’s not usually serious, but it’s important to make sure your child doesn’t give it to others.

At Banner Children’s, we’re here to help. If you suspect your child has pink eye, don’t wait - schedule an appointment with our pediatric specialists today. We provide expert care and will guide you on how to handle pink eye and prevent its spread.

What is pink eye?

Pink eye (also called conjunctivitis) is an eye condition that commonly affects children but can also affect people of all ages.

Pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer covering the whites of the eyes, becomes inflamed or infected. This can cause the white part of the eye and inside of the eyelids to become red or pink.

How do you get pink eye?

People can get pink eye for different reasons, and it can affect one or both eyes. Contact us now if your child shows symptoms to determine the cause and get started on treatment.

The three main types of pink eye are:

• Viral conjunctivitis: Viral pink eye is the most common kind of pink eye in kids. It often comes from a cold or adenovirus. Viral pink eye is very contagious and can quickly spread from one person to another. It usually starts in one eye and can move to the other.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis: Bacterial pink eye, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, can happen on its own or after an upper respiratory infection. It is also very contagious. 
• Allergic conjunctivitis: Allergic pink eye is triggered by allergies to things like pollen, dust, mites and pets. It’s not contagious.

It’s important to know that other things can make the eyes look like they have pink eye, such as irritating smoke, chemicals (such as swimming in a chlorine pool) or things that fall into the eye. Newborns can also have discharge and/or watery eyes, usually from a blocked tear duct.

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

Pink eye can have different symptoms, so it can be difficult to know whether a virus, bacteria, or allergen is causing it. If your child has any of the following symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice:

• Redness: The white part of the eye might look red or pink because the thin layer covering it is inflamed.
• Watery eyes: The eyes might produce more tears than usual.
• Itching: Your child’s eyes could feel itchy or like something is in them, making them want to rub or scratch their eyes.
• Discharge: There might be a liquid coming from the eyes. It could be clear and watery with viral pink eye or thicker and yellow or green if the cause is bacteria.
• Swollen eyelids: Eyelids might be puffy or swollen, making it hard to open the eyes.
• Eye pain: Sometimes, pink eye can hurt your child’s eyes, especially when they blink or move them.

Symptoms can appear within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and last from two days to a few weeks. If your child’s symptoms don’t improve, it’s time to reach out to our team for a consultation.

How does pink eye spread?

Pink eye can quickly spread from person to person through:

• Direct contact: When a child with pink eye touches the discharge from their eye and then touches another child.
• Contaminated objects: Using things like towels or toys that have touched infected eyes or hands that have touched the eyes.
• Respiratory droplets: Tiny droplets can spread the infection when someone with pink eye coughs or sneezes.

Protect your child and others by scheduling a visit with us if you notice symptoms.

How is pink eye diagnosed and treated?

A health care provider (or eye doctor) will easily diagnose pink eye by looking at the eyes and checking for redness or discharge. At Banner Children’s, we offer fast, effective treatment options based on the type of pink eye your child has:

• Viral pink eye: This usually goes away on its own. Occasionally, antibiotic eye drops may be used to stop a secondary infection.
• Bacterial pink eye: This may be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment to clear the infection.
• Allergic pink eye: Avoiding allergens and using antihistamine eye drops or allergy medicines can help.

What things can I do to treat pink eye at home? (Conjunctivitis treatment)

To help your child feel better while they have pink eye, you can:

• Place a warm, damp washcloth on their closed eyelids to soothe them and to gently wipe away crustiness from their eyelids. Don’t rub their eyes. Put the cloth in the laundry and wash it in hot water when you’re done with it.
• Wash your hands immediately after touching infected eyes.
• Replace your child’s pillowcase every night until the infection is gone, and don’t let them share towels, beds or clothes with other siblings. Launder all clothes and linens in hot water to disinfect them.
• Your child should stay home from daycare or school until symptoms improve.
• Use artificial tears.

For more tips on managing pink eye and preventing spread, contact our team for personalized advice.

When should I call my child’s provider?

Always call your provider if your child’s pink eye isn’t getting better after a few days or if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Serious eye pain
• Eyesight or vision changes
• Sensitivity to light
• Increased swelling and redness
• Seems unwell and has a fever
• White, goopy drainage from the eye (pus)

Schedule an appointment immediately if your baby is younger than 2 months and shows any symptoms of illness.

Are there ways to prevent the spread of pink eye?

You can stop viral and bacterial pink eye from spreading by: 

• Washing your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes.
• Using a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
• Throwing away used eye makeup.

If your child wears contact lenses

Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of bacterial infection. If your child has pink eye, they should stop wearing contact lenses until the infection clears. Proper contact lens hygiene is important to prevent complications. Our specialists can provide advice on how to safely manage contact lenses during recovery.

Our expert specialists

At Banner Children’s, our caring pediatric specialists are here to help diagnose, treat and guide you through every phase of your child’s recovery.

If you notice your child has developed symptoms of pink eye, don’t wait - schedule an appointment today. We offer convenient in-person or telehealth options.