Don't Share Towels When You Have Pink Eye

Pink eye symptoms are easy to identify: the white of the eye turns pink.  When the mucous membrane that covers the eyeball gets infected, it will turn pink…like bloodshot eyes times a thousand.  It’s uncomfortable and usually contagious so the number one thing to remember if you suspect pink eye symptoms is to call in sick.  Don’t go to work, don’t go to school, and stay away from people in your house because they will get the infection too if you share a towel, hung, anything like that.

Sometimes the pink eye symptoms are caused by a virus rather than a bacteria.  In both cases, however, your eye is infected and you are contagious.

No matter what the cause, the symptoms of pink eye include the pink color of the whites of your eye or eyes.  There may also be a scratchy feeling to the infected eye, since the mucous membrane that lubricates your eye is not functioning properly.  This is irritating and it may also itch but of course try not to rub your eyes when there are pink eye symptoms.  Tears may come down in your body’s attempt to cleanse out the infection and keep the eye moist.

Finally, since we are dealing with an infection, pink eye symptoms include a crust forming on the eyelid at night, when the infected discharge settles there while you sleep.

Pink Eye is an infection of the eye and can be caused by a lot of things.  It can also be viral or bacterial.  It’s a pretty general term covering a lot of symptoms and there are several forms as well.  In general, Pink Eye (pinkeye) is swelling of the eyelid and also of the surface of the eye.  Someone who has pink eye will have a swollen, red eyelid.

Pink Eye is also called conjunctivitis.  That’s from the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane lining of the eye and eyelid.  When the eye gets infected, the conjunctiva goes from clear to red or pink and swells up.  It’s uncomfortable and pretty dramatic looking and whoever gets pink eye does not want to be in public where people can see the condition.

There’s another reason someone with pink eye doesn’t want to be in public: it can be contagious.  Most cases of pink eye are viral…meaning they can be contagious.  Infectious pink eye has no treatment so staying at home is recommended for anyone with symptoms of pink eye.