Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment.

Check if you have conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye.

It usually affects both eyes and makes them:

  • red
  • burn or feel gritty
  • produce pus that sticks to lashes
  • itch
  • water

If you’re not sure it’s conjunctivitis

Find out about other conditions that can cause red eyes

How to treat conjunctivitis yourself

There are things you can do to help ease your symptoms.

  • Boil water and let it cool down before you gently wipe your eyelashes to clean off crusts with a clean cotton wool pad (1 piece for each eye).
  • Hold a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes to cool them down.

Do not wear contact lenses until your eyes are better.

Stop infectious conjunctivitis from spreading

Do

  • wash your hands regularly with warm soapy water
  • wash your pillow cases and face cloths in hot water and detergent
  • cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and put used tissues in the bin

Don’t

  • do not share towels and pillows
  • do not rub your eyes

Staying away from work or school

You do not need to stay away from work or school unless you or your child are feeling very unwell.

A pharmacist can help with conjunctivitis

Speak to a pharmacist about conjunctivitis. They can give you advice and suggest eyedrops or antihistamines to help with your symptoms.

See a GP if:

  • your baby has red eyes – get an urgent appointment if your baby is less than 28 days old
  • you wear contact lenses and have conjunctivitis symptoms as well as spots on your eyelids – you might be allergic to the lenses
  • your symptoms have not cleared up after 2 weeks

This information is from the NHS Website

Self Care for Conjunctivitis

Link to the selfcareforum.org website information on Conjunctivitis (printable) https://www.selfcareforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/21-conjunctivitis.pdf

Please click on the three lines on the left hand side of ‘Appleby Medical Practice’ for further practice related information.