A combination of prescription and over-the-counter medications are often the course of treatment for pink eye or conjunctivitis and consist essentially of eye cleansing and averting any aggravation.
Treatment Pink Eye – Viral Conjunctivitis
- Since viral conjunctivitis is not caused due to bacteria hence it fails in responding to antibiotics course and could be vastly communicable. Artificial tears without any preservatives would assist in relieving niggling symptoms.
- Over-the-counter drugs are basically what are necessary in majority of the viral pink eye or conjunctivitis cases since the viral form would simply need to complete its course (around 1-2 weeks) and medicines prescribed are merely to soothe symptoms. Generally, this form of pink eye would not need medicines except in case of small kids. Kids must be taken to an eye specialist for treating their pink eye.
- Specially made eye drops could assist in allaying inflammation. Similasan is a brand of eye drops that provide respite from viral pink eye.
Treatment Pink Eye – Bacterial Conjunctivitis
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Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis would be antibiotics (ointments/eye drops) which would combat the bacteria and usually allay the symptoms within a couple of days. However, one must ensure that the entire antibiotic treatment course is completed. Antibiotic salve options are available and tepid wash cloths could be employed for dissolving the eye discharge. Orally taken antibiotics prescription is the course of treatment for obstinate cases of pink eye.
Treatment Pink Eye- Allergic Conjunctivitis
- In case of allergic pink eye, placing cool compresses on shut eye and employing non-prescription eye drops would help in providing respite from itchiness and burning sensation. In case the situation is not improving within 3 days then it is imperative to promptly seek medical advice.
- Allergic conjunctivitis often responds to topically applied vasoconstrictor, antihistamine or steroid eye drop medications. However, steroid eye drops for any type of eye problems must be used solely after seeking medical opinion.
- Allergy resolving eye drops such as Patanol have been proven effectual in treating allergic pink eye with simply the use of two drops per day dosage. It is also deemed free of risk for use among children above 3 years of age. Similasan Allergy Eye Relief eye drops are another remedy for allergic pink eye.
Treatment Pink Eye- Herpes Virus Induced
- Treatment for conjunctivitis due to herpes virus is with the use of anti-viral eye drop, ointments and optionally anti-viral pill medications.
- Orally taken antibiotics course is routine prescription in case of pink eye that occurs due to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like Chlamydia, gonorrhoea. In this scenario, even sexual mates would need to undergo treatment. Chlamydia trachoma treatment comprises of application of antibiotic ointment types that contain erythromycin, doxycycline or tetracycline for four to six weeks. Optionally, oral antibiotics could be prescribed.
In case symptoms of pink eye do not seem to be linked to allergies or cold then one must visit an eye doctor to get evaluated in detail.
