HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

How Is A Pink Eye In A Teenager Treated?

default
Posted on Thu, 22 Feb 2024
Question: Good morning. My 13 year old daughter has pink eye
.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Conjunctivitis/pink eye can be due to viral or bacterial infection or due to an allergy.

Allergic conjunctivitis tends to affect both eyes.

Viral infection is more common than bacterial and it is very contagious, spreading rapidly if proper eye hygiene is not employed. The discharge maybe watery

Bacterial infection tends to have a more purulent-thicker, may be white/yellow

The difference is important because the treatment differs.

For an allergy- allergy drops eg olopatadine , can be used

For an infection, there are general eye hygiene measures plus antibiotic drops for a bacterial infection.
For a viral infection- eye hygiene only

Eye hygiene consists of (1) washing hands often particularly after cleaning any discharge from the eye or applying drops
(2)The discharge should be cleaned off regularly with eye wipes, cotton balls that are discarded after, clean washcloth
(3)avoid touching the eyes as much as possible
(4)no contacts till the infection clears
(5)wash pillow cases, sheets, washclothes etc in hot water

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolves within a week but as mentioned if it is bacterial, she will need eyedrops

If it is not clear which is present and very often it isn't, she should be seen

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (9 minutes later)
Should I get her a prescription for that eye?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
would definitely need drops if due to a bacterial infection

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, you can definitely consider having her seen by her doctor to get a prescription for antibiotic drops, if it is due to a bacterial infection


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
How Is A Pink Eye In A Teenager Treated?

Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: Hi, Conjunctivitis/pink eye can be due to viral or bacterial infection or due to an allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis tends to affect both eyes. Viral infection is more common than bacterial and it is very contagious, spreading rapidly if proper eye hygiene is not employed. The discharge maybe watery Bacterial infection tends to have a more purulent-thicker, may be white/yellow The difference is important because the treatment differs. For an allergy- allergy drops eg olopatadine , can be used For an infection, there are general eye hygiene measures plus antibiotic drops for a bacterial infection. For a viral infection- eye hygiene only Eye hygiene consists of (1) washing hands often particularly after cleaning any discharge from the eye or applying drops (2)The discharge should be cleaned off regularly with eye wipes, cotton balls that are discarded after, clean washcloth (3)avoid touching the eyes as much as possible (4)no contacts till the infection clears (5)wash pillow cases, sheets, washclothes etc in hot water Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolves within a week but as mentioned if it is bacterial, she will need eyedrops If it is not clear which is present and very often it isn't, she should be seen I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions