Information On Conjunctivitis, Pinkeye

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis is either infectious (caused by bacteria or viruses), allergic (caused by an allergic reaction), irritant (caused by something in the eye), or chemical (caused by a chemical substance). Commonly known as pinkeye because of the inflamed tissues that are seen when the eyelid is pulled back, conjunctivitis is the most common infectious disease of the eye that affects children. Although most types of conjunctivitis are contagious, it usually causes no danger to the eye or to your child's vision.

Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by one of the adenoviruses, a family of viruses which typically produce upper respiratory illnesses ("colds"). In temperate climates, adenoviruses are most common during the spring, early summer, and mid-winter, and they may produce epidemics, especially among school children and hospitalized patients. Adenoviruses can be found in fluids from the eyes, mouth, and nose of infected patients, and they can spread from person to person on dirty hands and in the droplets of coughs and sneezes. In most cases, adenoviruses produce only a simple superficial conjunctivitis; however, they are also capable of producing keratoconjunctivitis, a more serious infection that can cloud the cornea and interfere with normal vision. Besides adenoviruses, other viral causes of conjunctivitis include enteroviruses, the measles virus (rubeola), and the herpes simplex virus.

Bacterial conjunctivitis may be caused by several different types of bacteria, including: Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococci, staphylococci ("staph"), and streptococci ("strep"). As with viral conjunctivitis, most of these bacterial infections are spread through contact with infected secretions via coughs, sneezes, and dirty hands. Children born to mothers with vaginal gonorrhea or chlamydia infections may also develop gonorrheal or chlamydial conjunctivitis if their eyes are infected by contaminated secretions in the birth canal during vaginal delivery.

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, your eyes may become red and swollen. They may itch or even hurt, and may "water,"or make tears. You may have a runny nose and you may sneeze a lot. These symptoms are started by an allergen, which is a foreign substance that irritates your body. Your body reacts to the allergen by releasing chemicals, such as histamine, which cause many of your allergic symptoms. Some common allergens and irritants include pollen from trees, grass and ragweed, animal skin and hair, skin medicines, air pollution and smoke.

Most patients with uncomplicated viral or bacterial conjunctivitis are treated with either prescription or non-prescription eye medication. For uncomplicated viral conjunctivitis, you doctor may suggest a specific type of non-prescription eyedrops. You can use these to relieve eye symptoms while your body fights off the viral infection. For bacterial conjunctivitis, prescription eyedrops containing antibiotics (sulfacetamide, erythromycin, or others) are necessary. You must use these for as many days as your doctor directs, even though symptoms may clear within a day or two.

For general symptom relief, you can also try applying warm compresses to your eyes for 20 to 30 minute periods, several times a day. Gently wipe away eye discharge and crusts with a clean, moist cotton ball or tissue. If your child has pink eye, do not send him back to school or daycare until the eye is no longer pink. Once pink eye has been diagnosed, change your child's towel, washcloth and pillowcase daily. For long-term prevention, teach children to wash their hands thoroughly. Ask them to keep their hands away from their eyes and to avoid sharing handkerchiefs, towels and cosmetics.

Here are some vitamins and herbs that can be used to treat conjunctivitis.

Vitamins :- A, B2, B6, C Complex
Minerals :- Iron
Herbs :- Eyebright, Golden Seal, Chamomile Tea (as eye wash)

The nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements that may help the condition. Please do remember however that nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in no way replaces medical treatment.

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