Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Eyes Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Conjunctivitis (or red eye) is a common eye condition. It usually gets better in a few weeks without treatment. Symptoms of conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis usually causes symptoms in both eyes like: inflammation redness itching a burning or gritty feeling watering pus that sticks to the eyelashes Causes of conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis happens when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed. This is a thin layer of cells covering the front of your eyes. The 3 most common causes of this inflammation are: infection (infective conjunctivitis) an allergic reaction (allergic conjunctivitis) something irritating the conjunctiva, like a loose eyelash (irritant conjunctivitis) Treating and preventing conjunctivitis Do 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 towel over your eyes for a few minutes wash your hands regularly  this is particularly important after touching your eyes use lubricant eye drops  these are available at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for you Dont do not rub your eyes do not wear contact lenses until the symptoms have cleared up dont re-use old lenses after the infection has gone  they could cause re-infection do not not share pillows or towels You dont need to take time off school or work if you have conjunctivitis unless youre feeling very unwell. Get advice from a pharmacist Speak to a pharmacist for advice about conjunctivitis. They can suggest eyedrops or antihistamines to help with your symptoms. Find your nearest pharmacy Phone an optometrist urgently if you have: pain in your eyes sensitivity to light changes in your vision, like wavy lines or flashing very red eyes (1 eye or both eyes) a baby less than 28 days old with red eyes These can be signs of a more serious eye problem. If your optometrist is closed phone 111. Speak to an optometrist 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 you have symptoms that havent cleared up after 2 weeks Treatments for conjunctivitis Treatment for conjunctivitis will depend on whats causing it. You may be prescribed antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. But these wont work if the symptoms are caused by a virus or an allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis can usually be treated with antihistamines. If possible, you should also try to avoid the substance that triggered the allergy. Irritant conjunctivitis will ease when whatever is causing the symptoms is removed. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to get better. Eye problems self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. Source: Scottish Government - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 27 February 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Self-help guide: Eye problems Other health sites Look after your eyes: conjunctivitis NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852