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 Conjunctivitis that produces sticky pus is contagious. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/711964/view If eyes are red and feel gritty, the conjunctivitis is also usually contagious. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/694220/view Credit: kumaragurubaran kg / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/mediacomp/imagedetails.aspx?ref=2D12E7H Conjunctivitis caused by allergies, like hay fever, makes eyes red and watery but is not contagious. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/633822/view

There are things you can do to help ease the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Wash your eyelids with clean water. Boil the water and let it cool down, then gently wipe your eyelashes with a clean cotton wool pad to clean off crusts (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. 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. If you need treatment for a child under 2 years old, you'll need a prescription from a GP. Find a pharmacy

There are things you can do to stop conjunctivitis spreading to other people. 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.

Treatment will depend on the cause of your conjunctivitis. If it's a bacterial infection, you might be prescribed antibiotics . But these will not work if it's caused by a virus (viral conjunctivitis) or an allergy. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to get better.