Yesterday's Daily Tip discussed the symptoms of pink eye and who is most vulnerable. Today, we list simple ways to prevent this sometimes contagious infection of the eyelid and eyeball:

• Wash your hands well, often, and always before and after applying antibiotic drops.
• Don't touch your eyes with your hands.
• If being treated with antibiotic drops, never touch the antibiotic bottle directly on the affected eye, and be careful not to touch the inflamed eye and then the other eye.
• Use a new towel and washcloth every day.
• Change pillowcases often.
• Throw away any eye makeup used while infected, including mascara.
• Don't share cosmetics, washcloths and eye products with others.
• Keep infected children out of school or day care until a few days after treatment begins or the infection clears up.

While viral pink eye will resolve on its own in a few weeks without treatment, it can be difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. Consequently, many doctors prescribe antibiotic eye drops to anyone with pink eye - the antibiotics won't be effective against viral infections, but they may help prevent a secondary bacterial infection. With bacterial conjunctivitis, the antibiotic eye drops usually cause symptoms to clear up within a few days. Pink eye caused by allergies is usually treated with allergy medications and eye drops that relieve itchy eyes.

 

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