Conjunctivitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the layer of tissue that covers the eye, giving it a red and puffy appearance.
1. What causes it?
There are many reasons why you or your child may have caught infection, but there are three main causes:
- Infective conjunctivitis – caused by a bacterial or viral infection
- Allergic conjunctivitis – caused by a reaction to pollen or dust
- Irritant conjunctivitis – caused when the eye comes in contact with an irritating substance like shampoo
2. Symptoms to look out for:
The symptoms of conjunctivitis can vary depending on whether it is caused by an infection, allergy or irritant. However, the following are general symptoms that most people will experience:
- Burning sensation
- Feeling like there’s grit in the eye
- Sticky coating when you wake up
- Red eye
- Itchy feeling at the corner of the eye
3. When to contact your GP:
While conjunctivitis generally clears up after a few days, contact your GP if you or your little one experiences the following:
- Sensitivity to light
- Intense redness in one or both eyes
- Pain
If your newborn is showing signs of the infection, take them to the GP immediately as it can lead to permanent eye damage in young infants.
4. Complications and risks:
Conjunctivitis is not considered a dangerous infection, and your little one won’t have to stay off school unless they have been advised to. However, as with all illnesses, a number of complications can arise:
- Scarring of the eye
- Cellulitis
- Septicaemia
- Meningitis
- Ulcers
5. How to treat it:
For most of us, the infection won’t require medical treatment and will clear up on its own, but there are a number of things you can do at home:
- Rinse the eye with salt water
- Use eye drops to relieve any stickiness
- Wipe discharge with a clean tissue
If it doesn’t seem to be clearing up your doctor may prescribe something for you or your child.
