Pink Eye: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Treat It

If your eyes feel gritty, look red, or are leaking clear fluid, you might be dealing with pink eye. Also called conjunctivitis, it’s an inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Most cases aren’t serious, but they can spread quickly if you don’t take simple steps.

Pink eye shows up in three main flavors: viral, bacterial, and allergic. Viral pink eye usually comes with a cold or sore throat; it spreads through hand‑to‑eye contact. Bacterial pink eye produces thicker yellow or green discharge and often needs antibiotics. Allergic pink eye flares up when your eyes react to pollen, pet dander, or dust.

Common Signs of Pink Eye

The first clue is a red or pink tint on the white of the eye. Look for crusty eyelashes in the morning – that’s a sign of discharge drying overnight. Itching or burning sensations point to an allergic trigger, while a gritty feeling often means viral or bacterial irritation.

Watch how much your eyes water. Clear watery tears suggest a virus or allergy; thicker pus‑like fluid hints at bacteria. If both eyes are affected at the same time, it’s usually viral or allergic. One eye only? Bacterial infections sometimes start on one side before spreading.

Easy Ways to Relieve Pink Eye at Home

The fastest way to feel better is keeping your eyes clean. Use a soft cloth soaked in warm water, gently wipe away any crust from the corners of each eye. Switch to a fresh part of the cloth for each swipe and wash it after use.

Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can soothe irritation. Choose preservative‑free drops; they’re gentle and won’t worsen redness. Avoid red‑eye drops that mask symptoms—they don’t treat the cause and may prolong infection.

If you suspect a bacterial case, over‑the‑counter antibiotic ointments are available at many pharmacies, but it’s safer to get a prescription from a doctor. For viral pink eye, rest and good hygiene are your best tools; the virus will run its course in about a week.

Allergy‑related pink eye benefits from antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy meds. Reduce exposure by keeping windows closed on high pollen days, using air filters, and washing face after being outdoors.

Never share towels, pillowcases, or makeup while you have pink eye. Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses.

If you wear contacts, switch to glasses until the redness clears up. Discard any disposable lenses and clean reusable ones thoroughly using fresh solution.

Most adults see improvement within a few days with these steps. If symptoms worsen after 48 hours—more pain, swelling, light sensitivity, or vision changes—see a healthcare professional right away. Those signs could mean a more serious infection or an eye injury.

Bottom line: pink eye is common and usually easy to manage at home, but clean habits and timely treatment keep it from spreading and getting worse. Keep this guide handy the next time your eyes feel off, and you’ll know exactly what to do.