The symptoms of pink eye can be extremely irritating. Many patients find that pink eye can make it very difficult to function at normal levels. Depending on the severity of the condition, pink eye can result in constant discomfort. It is important that the patient be able to identify the problem quickly. The symptoms of pink eye will begin to show up early on and can help the patient prevent the spread of the condition. Children with pink eye should never be sent to school or other places where they may come in contact with other people and children.
Eye Itching
The symptoms of pink eye include an annoying itch that can be more or less persistent depending on the severity of the infection. The itching sensation feels as though it were right on or in the eye. This will entice the patient to rub or scratch at the eye, which can lead to other problems. Patients are advised to avoid placing anything in or around their eye, and to refrain from rubbing. Touching the eye will make the symptoms worse, and can also lead to the infection of the other eye.
Eye Redness
One of the trademark symptoms of pink eye is a red appearance. The whites will turn anywhere from light pink to red. This looks unpleasant, and mimics the discomfort of the condition. The amount of redness will vary from one case to the other, so it should not be written off as something else if pink eye is suspected.
Pus Discharge from the Eye
In most cases, the symptoms of pink eye will include a discharge of pus from the eye. This looks somewhat stringy and usually appears grayish or yellowish. The discharge can accumulate over night or anytime the eyes are closed for a period of time. This will in turn cause the eye lids to stick together unpleasantly. A warm, moist wash cloth placed over the infected eye can help loosen crusts that form from dried pus. The pus can also obscure vision so it should be removed as much as possible.
The symptoms of pink eye may vary depending on what is causing the problem. A chemical cause may not have the same discharge, but pain when looking in certain directions will be present. On the other hand, a bacterial infection will almost always include a discharge.