Pink Eye Relief

There are several different causes of a red or pink eye. The most common is a medical condition known as conjunctivitis, which is why it is often just called "pink eye." Treatments for pink eye will depend on what is actually causing the symptoms. Three common conditions are viral, bacterial, and allergic conjunctivitis.

There is no cure for pink eye caused by a virus (known medically as viral conjunctivitis) or allergic reaction (called allergic conjunctivitis). Therefore, healthcare providers can only offer suggestions for pink eye relief while your body takes care of the infection on its own. These remedies may include cool or warm compresses, antihistamine/decongestant eyedrops, and artificial tears.

For relieving pink eye caused by bacteria, various antibiotic products are available. Unlike allergic or viral conjunctivitis, if you are diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis, early treatment appears to speed up healing, improve symptoms, and decrease the chances of recurrence. For this type of pink eye, treatment involves antibiotic drops or an antibiotic ointment.

(Click Pink Eye Treatment or Home Treatment for Pink Eye for more suggestions on pink eye relief, how to use antibiotics to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, and general warnings for people who wear contacts.)