What Pink Eye Is and How to Recognize It

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelid. The condition makes your eye red or pink, itchy, and often watery or crusty. You may feel like something is stuck in your eye, and bright light might bother you.

Pink eye comes in three main types: viral (caused by a virus, often the same one that causes colds), bacterial (caused by bacteria, usually requiring treatment from a doctor), and allergic (caused by pollen, pet dander, or other irritants). Viral pink eye is the most common and spreads easily from person to person. Bacterial pink eye produces thicker, yellowish discharge and also spreads through contact. Allergic pink eye itches intensely but does not spread and usually affects both eyes.

The type matters because treatment differs. Viral pink eye typically clears on its own in one to two weeks. Bacterial pink eye usually needs antibiotic drops or ointment prescribed by a doctor. Allergic pink eye responds to antihistamine drops or avoiding the trigger.

Key Takeaways

  • Viral pink eye clears without treatment in one to two weeks, but bacterial pink eye requires antibiotic drops from a doctor.
  • Thick yellow discharge and crusting suggest bacterial pink eye; watery discharge and itching suggest viral or allergic pink eye.
  • Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes, use a clean washcloth each time, and do not share towels or eye makeup to prevent spreading.
  • See a doctor if discharge is thick and yellow, your vision changes, you have severe pain, or symptoms do not improve after one week.
  • Over-the-counter artificial tears and cold compresses can ease discomfort while your eye heals, but do not use old eye drops or contact lenses during infection.

Home Care Steps for Viral or Allergic Pink Eye

If you suspect viral or allergic pink eye, start with basic hygiene and comfort measures. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your eye or face. Use a clean tissue or washcloth each time you wipe away discharge, then throw the tissue away or wash the cloth when ready in hot water. Do not reuse the same cloth.

explore a cold or warm compress to your eye for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day, whichever feels better. Soak a clean washcloth in water (cold or warm, your choice) and hold it gently closed over your eye. This eases itching and reduces swelling. You can also use over-the-counter artificial tears to rinse away irritants and keep your eye moist. Look for drops labeled "rewetting drops" or "artificial tears" — avoid drops that claim to reduce redness, as those can irritate further.

Do not wear contact lenses while you have pink eye, even if only one eye is affected. Contacts trap bacteria or viruses against your eye and slow healing. If you wear glasses, clean them with soap and water or lens cleaner before putting them back on. Stop using any eye makeup until the infection clears, and throw away mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow you used while infected.

When to See a Doctor

Contact a doctor if your discharge is thick and yellow or greenish (a sign of bacterial infection), if your vision becomes blurry or changes, or if you have severe eye pain. Also see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after one week, if you have a weakened immune system, if you are a newborn or very young child, or if you wear contact lenses and suspect infection.

Call your doctor before visiting in person if you think you have pink eye, especially if it might be bacterial. Many offices will ask you to come at a specific time to avoid spreading it to other patients. If you go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room, mention pink eye when you check in so staff can take precautions.

A doctor will examine your eye under magnification and may take a sample of discharge to test if the cause is unclear. Bacterial pink eye is treated with antibiotic eye drops (usually applied four times daily for five to seven days) or antibiotic ointment (usually applied at bedtime). Your doctor will tell you exactly how often to use the drops and for how long.

Preventing Spread to Others

Viral and bacterial pink eye spread through direct contact with discharge or contaminated surfaces. Wash your hands before and after touching your eye, and do not touch the other person's eye or face. If you live with others, use separate towels, washcloths, and pillowcases. Wash these items in hot water and dry them on high heat.

Do not share eye drops, eye makeup, contact lenses, or contact lens cases. If someone else in your household has pink eye, disinfect shared surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom counters with a household disinfectant or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Wash your hands after disinfecting.

Stay home from work or school while you have symptoms, or at least until discharge stops (usually after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment for bacterial pink eye, or after a few days for viral pink eye). Check with your employer or school about their specific policy.

What to Avoid During Pink Eye

Do not use old eye drops from a previous infection or prescription. Once a bottle is opened, bacteria can grow inside, and using old drops can make your infection worse or introduce a new one. If you have leftover drops from a past infection, throw them away. Do not share eye drops with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms.

Avoid touching your eye with your fingers, and do not rub it even if it itches. Rubbing spreads infection and can scratch the cornea. If you must touch your eye, wash your hands first. Do not wear eye makeup, false eyelashes, or contact lenses until the infection is completely gone and your doctor says it is safe.

Do not assume all pink eye is the same. If you have had pink eye before and think you have it again, see a doctor anyway. What looks like pink eye might be a different condition, such as a scratched cornea, a stye, or a blocked tear duct, each of which needs different treatment.

Recovery Timeline and What to Expect

Viral pink eye usually improves within three to five days and clears completely in one to two weeks, even without treatment. Your eye may remain slightly pink or irritated for a few extra days after discharge stops. Bacterial pink eye starts improving within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotic drops, and the infection clears in five to seven days with treatment. Without antibiotics, bacterial pink eye can last two to three weeks.

Allergic pink eye improves as soon as you stop touching the allergen and may clear within hours if you rinse your eye well. If the allergen is something in your environment (like pollen or pet dander), symptoms may return when you are exposed again. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops can help if you cannot avoid the trigger.

After pink eye clears, your eye should return to normal. You may notice your eye is slightly drier than usual for a week or two — continue using artificial tears if this happens. If redness, discharge, or itching returns after you have recovered, see a doctor again, as a new infection may have started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I catch pink eye from a swimming pool?

Yes, viral and bacterial pink eye can spread through pool water, especially if the water is not properly chlorinated or if someone with active infection swims. Avoid swimming while you have pink eye, and do not let others swim in your pool until your infection clears. If you swim regularly and get pink eye, ask your doctor when it is safe to return to the pool.

Is pink eye contagious after I start antibiotic drops?

Bacterial pink eye becomes much less contagious after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, though you should still practice good hygiene. Viral pink eye remains contagious for as long as discharge is present, usually three to five days. Ask your doctor when it is safe to return to work or school.

What if only one eye has pink eye?

Treat both eyes the same way: wash your hands before and after touching either eye, and use a separate clean cloth for each eye. Even if only one eye is infected, the other can become infected if you transfer bacteria or virus between them. Keep your hands away from both eyes until the infection clears.

Can I use hydrocortisone cream around my eye?

No. Do not use hydrocortisone or other steroid creams on or near your eye without a doctor's prescription. Steroids can make some types of pink eye worse, especially viral pink eye caused by herpes simplex. If itching is severe, ask your doctor what is safe to use.

How do I know if pink eye is getting worse?

See a doctor when ready if your vision becomes blurry, you develop severe pain, your eye becomes very swollen, you have discharge that is thick and greenish, or you develop a fever. These signs suggest bacterial infection or a complication that needs treatment.