Is pink eye contagious? Any parent who has had a child that experienced pink eye knows that it is. Pink eye is a very uncomfortable, irritating condition to develop. The best way to cure it is to avoid it completely, if possible. Being able to identify the symptoms can help you contain the problem or avoid someone that may have it.
How to Identify Pink Eye
Pink eye comes with a laundry list of irritating symptoms, including redness of the eye, a discharge, and itching. These are key indicators that the problem is present. They may be mild at first, but that doesn’t mean pink eye isn’t still contagious. The itching can encourage the patient to rub the eye, which can spread bacteria. A discharge can also create another way to spread the condition if not carefully cleaned.
Is Pink Eye Contagious All the Time?
Many people know the answer to the “is pink eye contagious?” question. It is generally a safe bet to assume that it is. That being said, the cause is really what will determine whether or not the condition can spread. Bacterial and viral eye infections are contagious. However these are not the only causes of pink eye. The condition can also appear when the eye comes in contact with chemical substances, which can be accidentally rubbed or splashed in the eye. Chemical pink eye generally includes different symptoms than bacterial or viral pink eye.
Allergies can also cause pink eye to appear. These are focused on the individual, who is affected by the outside environment. For many allergy sufferers, this becomes a much bigger problem during certain times of the year. This is commonly caused by allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever. Hay fever refers to the reaction that occurs in the immune system when pollen or airborne debris is inhaled.
Can I Stop the Spread of Pink Eye to Others?
When pink eye is caused by a bacteria or virus, it is impossible to remove the contagious element that comes with it. However, the patient can take action to prevent the spread physically. This is done by avoiding contact with others as much as possible. Proper hygiene is important to prevent germs from being transported to objects and others. The patient should wash their hands regularly and keep the eye clean.