Pink eye usually clears on its own, but what you do in the first few days matters

Pink eye—medically called conjunctivitis—is inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white of your eye and the inside of your eyelid. Most cases are caused by a virus and go away without treatment in one to two weeks. Bacterial pink eye responds to antibiotic drops, but a doctor has to confirm it is bacterial first. Allergic pink eye needs a different approach entirely. The key is knowing which type you have, because treating the wrong one the wrong way wastes time and can spread infection to others.

You do not need to see a doctor for every case of pink eye, but you do need to know when to call one. If your vision is blurry, your eye pain is severe, you have discharge that looks like pus, or you wear contact lenses, contact your doctor or urgent care clinic. If you woke up with a crusty, swollen eye and it happened after exposure to someone sick, it is almost certainly viral and will improve with home care while you stay home from work or school.

Key Takeaways

  • Viral pink eye spreads easily and requires no medicine—just rest, cool compresses, and keeping your hands away from your eyes for five to seven days.
  • Bacterial pink eye needs antibiotic drops prescribed by a doctor, and you should stay home for at least 24 hours after starting treatment.
  • Allergic pink eye itches intensely and responds to antihistamine drops or oral antihistamines, not antibiotics.
  • Sharing towels, pillows, eye makeup, or contact lens cases spreads viral and bacterial pink eye to others, so wash your hands constantly and do not touch your other eye.
  • If your eye pain is sharp, your vision changes, or you have a discharge that looks like pus, see a doctor the same day rather than waiting.

How to tell viral pink eye from bacterial pink eye at home

Viral pink eye usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other over a few days. The discharge is watery and clear, your eyelids may be swollen, and the eye feels gritty but not severely painful. You often have a cold or sore throat at the same time. Viral pink eye is extremely contagious—you can spread it for up to two weeks, even after the redness fades.

Bacterial pink eye often starts suddenly in one eye with thick, yellowish or greenish discharge that crusts over while you sleep. The eye may be swollen and red, and it can feel uncomfortable, but the pain is usually mild. Bacterial pink eye is also contagious but less so than viral, and antibiotics stop the spread within 24 hours of starting treatment.

Allergic pink eye itches intensely and affects both eyes at once. The discharge is clear and watery, and you may have itchy, watery eyes without any crusty discharge. Allergic pink eye is not contagious. If you have a history of allergies or you notice the pink eye happens at the same time every year, allergies are likely the cause.

What to do for viral pink eye at home

Viral pink eye does not respond to antibiotics, so treatment is about comfort and preventing spread. Use a clean, cool compress on your eye for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day—a clean washcloth soaked in cool water works well. Artificial tears can soothe the grittiness. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help if your eye aches.

The most important step is stopping spread. Wash your hands before and after touching your eye. Do not share towels, pillows, eye makeup, contact lens cases, or eyeglasses. Wash your hands after touching your face and before touching anyone else. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses until the infection clears, and throw away the contacts you wore when you got sick. Viral pink eye usually improves in five to seven days, though some redness may linger for a week or two.

When you need antibiotic drops for bacterial pink eye

If your discharge is thick and yellowish or greenish, or if your eye is very swollen and uncomfortable, see a doctor or urgent care clinic. They will look at your eye under magnification to confirm it is bacterial. If it is, they will prescribe antibiotic eye drops—usually fluoroquinolone drops like ofloxacin or moxifloxacin, or older options like gentamicin or tobramycin.

Antibiotic drops work quickly. You should see improvement within 24 to 48 hours, and the infection usually clears in five to seven days. Use the drops exactly as prescribed, even if your eye feels better—stopping early can allow the infection to return. Wash your hands before and after putting in drops. Do not share the bottle with anyone else. You can return to work or school 24 hours after starting antibiotics, as long as the discharge is improving.

Treating allergic pink eye

If you itch intensely and both eyes are affected, allergies are likely the cause. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen can reduce itching and redness within 15 to 30 minutes. Oral antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine also help, especially if you have itching in your nose or throat at the same time.

Cold compresses feel better than warm ones for allergic pink eye. Avoid rubbing your eyes, which releases more histamine and makes itching worse. If over-the-counter drops do not work after a few days, or if your eyes swell shut, see a doctor—they can prescribe stronger antihistamine drops or a short course of topical steroids.

When to see a doctor or go to urgent care

Contact a doctor the same day if your eye pain is sharp or throbbing, your vision is blurry or you see halos around lights, you have a discharge that looks like pus, your eyelid is swollen shut, or you wear contact lenses. These signs can point to a more serious infection or a condition that needs treatment beyond home care.

Also see a doctor if you have pink eye and a weakened immune system from HIV, chemotherapy, or an immunosuppressant medication. Infections can become serious faster in these cases. If you have had pink eye for more than two weeks with no improvement, or if it keeps coming back, see a doctor to rule out other causes.

Preventing pink eye spread and reinfection

Wash your hands constantly, especially before eating or touching your face. Do not share personal items—towels, pillows, eye makeup, contact lens cases, eyeglasses, or eye drops. If someone in your household has pink eye, give them their own towel and washcloth. Wash bedding and pillowcases in hot water. Do not go to work, school, or childcare until your symptoms improve or you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

If you wear contact lenses, throw away any lenses you wore during the infection and disinfect your case. Do not reuse old solution in your case—empty it, rinse it with fresh solution, and let it air dry. Some people get pink eye repeatedly because they reinfect themselves with contaminated lens cases or because they do not wash their hands before putting in lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same antibiotic drops in both eyes if only one is infected?

No. Use a separate applicator or drop for each eye to avoid spreading infection from one eye to the other. If you are using a bottle with a dropper, do not let the tip touch your eye. Wash your hands between eyes.

Is it safe to wear makeup while I have pink eye?

No. Throw away any eye makeup you used before the infection started, and do not wear new makeup until the infection clears. Makeup brushes and applicators can harbor bacteria or viruses. If you must wear makeup for work, use a fresh applicator each time and throw it away when ready after.

How long does pink eye last if I do not treat it?

Viral pink eye usually clears in one to two weeks on its own. Bacterial pink eye without antibiotics can last two to three weeks and is contagious the whole time. Allergic pink eye persists as long as you are exposed to the allergen. Antibiotic drops speed recovery for bacterial cases and stop spread within 24 hours.

Can I catch pink eye from a swimming pool?

Yes, especially if the pool is not chlorinated properly. Viral and bacterial pink eye spread through water. Do not swim if you have pink eye, and avoid swimming until your symptoms clear. If you swim regularly and get pink eye often, ask your doctor whether chlorine sensitivity might be a factor.

What if my pink eye does not improve after a week?

See a doctor. Viral pink eye should show improvement by day five or six. If it is not improving, you may have bacterial pink eye that needs antibiotics, or the cause may be something else entirely—like a blocked tear duct, dry eye, or an allergic reaction to eye drops themselves.