Pinkeye or conjunctivitis as it is commonly known is quite common with school going children.
The eye gets swollen, itchy and becomes red in colour.
Sometimes, there may also be a white, yellow or a green discharge which is a gooey liquid.
Conjunctivitis is called pinkeye as the white part of the eye becomes red or pink in colour.
When a child feels itchy or weird in the eye, parents have to be informed immediately as conjunctivitis is infectious and also spreads very easily.
Many a time you find that only one of your eyes gets infected.
This is very much possible.
Most if the times however, both the eyes do get infected.
With this problem your eyes do not hurt at all but you feel itchy.
It is the kind of feeling you get when you have a hair in your eye.
The infection does not stay longer than a week.
Medicine can be used if the itchiness is too much.
Sometimes children get problems with the ear along with conjunctivitis as the same bacteria are responsible for both.
Virus or bacteria are the main causes for conjunctivitis.
The same viruses are also responsible for the cold we catch.
It goes on also with the ear problem.
The problem with conjunctivitis is that it spreads when you touch.
People who are in contact with a person with conjunctivitis may also be affected by it as it is transferable through touch.
Hence it spreads on further and is very fast.
The only sort of preventive measure you can take is to keep washing your hand with a disinfecting soap whenever possible.
Conjunctivitis is also referred to as infectious conjunctivitis when it is caused due to virus or bacteria.
When it is caused because of some sort of an allergy then it is said not to be contagious.
If there is continuous itching and if it is irritating you then you should consult a doctor.
He will then check on your eyes for the red colour and the discharge.
The doctor will also check if you have got this problem from some other person or if it is some sort of an allergy.
He might also check on your ears to see if the infection is spreading there.
Older people are given ointments whereas smaller children are given eye drops by the doctor.
The eye drops need to be used fro about a week and need to be put into your eyes about four to five times per day.
Both timings and dosage need to be followed to get rid of the infection.
If it is virus infected conjunctivitis, antibiotics can not do anything to help.
If this problem of pinkeye is due to some sort of an allergy then the doctor may suggest eye drops.
Itching can also be reduced by throwing warm water on your face.
Use a clean cloth to clear away the discharge.
Parents have to take care in cleaning and helping the child get better faster.
Do make sure the cloth you are using is taken and put for wash as soon as you are done with it so that others do not get affected by it.