Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an eye infection that is usually found in children. It is a contagious disease and causes an outbreak in school if a child has it. Although it is frequently found in children, it can still occur in adults and teenagers.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the white area of the eye and the inner parts of the eye’s lids. This infection is a minor threat in most cases and not something critical. Regardless, if your child does have pinkeye, it is advisable to see a doctor for treatment.
Symptoms:
- Redness and itchiness in both eyes or just one infected eye
- Tearing of the eyes
- A powdery feeling in one or both eyes
The most critical symptom of all is the redness of the eyes. This is because it can cause eye pain, leading to blurred vision. If this symptom is dominant in your child, it is best to see a doctor soon not to worsen.
Causes:
The causes of the pinkeye can range from one to many, and these include:
- Viruses and bacterial infection: mainly, pinkeye is caused by adenovirus; however, it can also occur due to simple viruses like herpes simplex virus. Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can occur with symptoms such as a sore throat. Of contact lenses worn that are not clean, they can also result in a bacterium entering your eye, resulting in conjunctivitis.
- Allergies: allergic conjunctivitis can occur when the eyes come in contact with a trigger for allergies such as pollen. As a result, the child can experience symptoms including irritability, sneezing, itching, tearing, and inflammation of the eyes. These symptoms can be controlled by using specific allergy eye drops, as advised by your doctor.
Risk factors:
To understand what can potentially put your child at risk of this infection, it is essential to explore its risk factors which include:
- Exposing yourself to something that you may be allergic to
- Being exposed to someone who already has a bacterial or a viral form of conjunctivitis
- Using contact lenses that have not been cleaned and washed correctly and using them often as an alternative to glasses
Prevention
Here are some prevention techniques to help your child avoid getting pinkeye:
- Do not touch your eyes with your hands before cleaning them
- Keep your hands clean by washing them often, keeping a clean towel that is not shared with anyone else
- Keep your bed sheets and pillow cases clean and change them often
- Do not share your eye cosmetics such as mascara
Hence, if you feel your child might show symptoms that indicate pink eye or any other symptoms, you might want to get checked by a child specialist. We have the best ones available for you. You can find the Best Pediatrician in Karachi and the Best Child Specialist in Lahore, according to the city of your preference.
