What is conjunctivitis? What causes it and what are some of the steps that one can take to prevent or control it?

Conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva in your eye becomes infected. The conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the eyelid and shields the eyeball. The reason our eyes get pink or reddish during conjunctivitis is because the conjunctiva’s blood vessels become inflamed. Either bacteria or viruses mainly cause conjunctivitis.

​In some cases, conjunctivitis is caused by reactions to chemicals, exposure of the sun or wind and allergies.

Conjunctivitis can be uncomfortable to endure but it is not a permanent experience and has no effect on vision. There are several treatments available to help lower the irritation caused by conjunctivitis.

​This infection is particularly contagious and careful consideration during the infection is best.

Diagnosis and treatment are necessary once symptoms of conjunctivitis occur.   If no medical treatment is given, conjunctivitis often eases up in 7-10 days. ​

The main reason that conjunctivitis spreads so easily is that people do not practice proper hand washing techniques. It is important to wash hands regularly with antibacterial soap and to avoid touching the eyes with dirty hands. Items such as towels or clothing can also be contaminated and should not be shared if one has conjunctivitis. 
 
Adenovirus is the particular respiratory virus that is the cause of conjunctivitis. Other causes for conjunctivitis include the herpes virus. If a virus is the reason for conjunctivitis, it is recommended for the patient to allow the virus to treat itself and to watch the changes of symptoms improve in due time. There are no medicinal options for treating the virus but there are options for helping with discomfort and also preventing the virus from spreading.
 
Conjunctivitis is only severe on the body is one already has a weak immune system and cannot properly fight the infection. Contact lens wearers and vision with only one of the eyes is also a slightly more serious matter to deal with. 
 
Contact lens wearers must remove contact lenses immediately after symptoms of conjunctivitis occur and use glasses until the symptoms are gone completely. 

It is important to clean and store the contacts to stop spreading. Those with conjunctivitis can choose between a warm or cold compress, depending on comfort level, to ease the irritation. 

​If you feel the need to wipe your eyes during conjunctivitis, make sure to always use a clean tissue for each wipe and to start near the nose and move out.

​Get rid of the tissue immediately and safely.

also check out:

• What one can do as first-aid in case of accidental spraying of liquids such as household cleaners, perfumes, etc. in the eyes​
• Caring for your eyes – how to relieve eye-tiredness and ways to relax eyes and de-stress
• What is glaucoma? What causes it and what are some of the steps that one can take to prevent/control it?
• ​What is Macular Degeneration? What Causes It? What are some of the Steps that one can take to Prevent/Control it?

​Categories: 
Wellness

Keywords and Tags:
#caringforyoureyes #eyehealth   #improvevision   #eyecare   #visionhealth #conjunctivitis​   #pinkeye