This prevents the symptoms of the allergic reaction occurring. Antazoline with xylometazoline Otrivine-Antistin is also available over the counter from pharmacies without prescription. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, some antihistamine eye drops may not be suitable. Speak to your GP for advice. If possible, oral antihistamines shouldn't be taken if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Although new antihistamines shouldn't make you drowsy, they may still have a sedating effect.
This is more likely if you take high doses or drink alcohol while you're taking antihistamines. Mast cell stabilisers are an alternative type of medicine. Unlike antihistamines, they won't provide rapid symptom relief, but they are better at controlling your symptoms over a longer period of time. It may take several weeks to feel the effects of a mast cell stabiliser, so you may also be prescribed an antihistamine to take at the same time.
If your symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are particularly severe, you may be prescribed a short course of topical corticosteroids a cream, gel or ointment. However, these aren't usually prescribed unless absolutely necessary. As giant papillary conjunctivitis is usually caused by contact lenses, the symptoms often clear up after you stop wearing them.
The spots that form on the inside of your upper eyelid may last slightly longer. If you develop giant papillary conjunctivitis as a result of recent eye surgery, you'll be immediately referred to an ophthalmologist. This is so that your eyes can be carefully monitored and the most effective treatment given.
Most cases of irritant conjunctivitis don't need any treatment, as the condition should clear up once the irritant is removed from the eye. An exception to this is if your eyes were exposed to harmful substances such as bleach or acid.
This is usually regarded as a medical emergency and you'll need to be admitted to hospital so your eyes can be washed out with saline solution. Complications of conjunctivitis depend on whether the condition is an infection infective conjunctivitis or an allergic reaction allergic conjunctivitis.
If conjunctivitis has been caused by a sexually transmitted infection STI , particularly chlamydia, the infection may last several months, rather than weeks. Infective conjunctivitis caused by any type of bacteria can result in a number of complications, particularly in babies born prematurely before week 37 of pregnancy.
In newborn babies neonates up to 28 days old, infective conjunctivitis can lead to a severe and rapidly progressive eye infection. If your newborn baby is found to have infective conjunctivitis, they'll immediately be referred for specialist assessment and treatment. Their condition will be closely monitored. Complications of infective conjunctivitis are rare and most babies make a full recovery.
After having infective conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia, around one in five babies may develop pneumonia. This is a potentially life-threatening condition in young babies and may need treatment in hospital. If your conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, dust mites or similar seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis , it's very rare to experience any serious complications.
However, you may find your reoccurring symptoms frustrating. For example, if your conjunctivitis is caused by pollen, you may find it difficult to go outside during the spring and summer months without triggering your symptoms. This type of allergic conjunctivitis can affect your daily life and could make it difficult for you to concentrate at work or school, particularly if your eyes are severely irritated.
Although this can affect your quality of life, it shouldn't cause any long-term health problems. Some types of conjunctivitis can cause a condition called keratitis. Keratitis is where your cornea the front of your eye becomes swollen. This can be painful and make your eyes sensitive to light photophobia. Ulcers sometimes form on the cornea. If the ulcers scar your cornea, your vision may be permanently damaged.
Home Illnesses and conditions Eyes Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About conjunctivitis 2. Symptoms of conjunctivitis 3. Causes of conjunctivitis 4. Diagnosing conjunctivitis 5. Treating conjunctivitis 6. Complications of conjunctivitis. About conjunctivitis Community optometry practices opticians have resumed providing routine eyecare services in all settings. People often refer to conjunctivitis as red eye. Read more about the symptoms of conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis can affect one eye at first, but usually affects both eyes after a few hours.
What causes conjunctivitis? The conjunctiva can become inflamed as a result of: a bacterial or viral infection — this is known as infective conjunctivitis an allergic reaction to a substance such as pollen or dust mites — this is known as allergic conjunctivitis the eye coming into contact with things that can irritate the conjunctiva, such as shampoo or chlorinated water, or a loose eyelash rubbing against the eye — this is known as irritant conjunctivitis Read more about the causes of conjunctivitis Treating conjunctivitis Treatment isn't usually needed for conjunctivitis, because the symptoms often clear up within a couple of weeks.
Irritant conjunctivitis will clear up as soon as whatever is causing it is removed. Washing your hands regularly and not sharing pillows or towels will help prevent it spreading. Read more about treating conjunctivitis See your GP immediately if you have: eye pain sensitivity to light photophobia disturbed vision intense redness in one eye or both eyes a newborn baby with conjunctivitis. Eye problems self-help guide Find out more about your symptoms, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help.
Work and school Public Health Scotland PHS advises that you don't need to stay away from work or school if you or your child has conjunctivitis, unless you or they are feeling particularly unwell. Complications Conjunctivitis can be a frustrating condition — particularly allergic conjunctivitis — but in most cases it doesn't pose a serious threat to health.
Complications of conjunctivitis are rare, but when they do occur they can be serious and include: a severe case of allergic conjunctivitis can lead to scarring in the eye in cases of infective conjunctivitis, the infection can spread to other areas of the body, triggering more serious secondary infections, such as meningitis Read more about the complications of conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis The symptoms of conjunctivitis will depend on what's causing the condition. However, the two main symptoms are usually: eye redness — as a result of the inflammation and widening of the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva the thin layer of cells covering the front of the eyes a discharge — the conjunctiva contains thousands of cells that produce mucus and tiny glands that produce tears — inflammation causes the glands to become overactive, so that they produce more water and mucus Only one eye tends to be affected at first, but symptoms usually affect both eyes within a few hours.
Infective conjunctivitis If you have infective conjunctivitis, you may also have: a burning sensation in your eyes a feeling of grit in your eyes a sticky coating on the eyelashes — usually when you first wake up in the morning an enlarged lymph node gland in front of the ear Allergic conjunctivitis You may have itchy eyes if you have allergic conjunctivitis.
The pattern of symptoms for allergic conjunctivitis depends on the substance you're allergic to. You can have an allergy to: tree pollen, released during spring grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer weed pollen, released any time from early spring to late autumn It's highly likely that the pollen will also cause other symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny or blocked nose.
This type of conjunctivitis carries a high risk of complications, so you need to seek medical advice as soon as possible When to seek medical advice Most cases of conjunctivitis aren't a cause for concern, but you should contact your GP if you think you have it, particularly if you think it's related to wearing contact lenses.
Your GP can check whether there's a more serious underlying cause of your symptoms. When to seek immediate medical advice The following symptoms could be the sign of a more serious eye condition: pain in your eyes sensitivity to light photophobia disturbed vision intense redness in one eye or both eyes Contact your GP immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Causes of conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis is a condition that occurs when the conjunctiva a thin layer of cells covering the front of your eyes becomes inflamed. The three most common causes of this inflammation are: infection infective conjunctivitis an allergic reaction allergic conjunctivitis something irritating the conjunctiva, such as a loose eyelash irritant conjunctivitis These are discussed in more detail below.
Infective conjunctivitis Eye infections are most commonly caused by: bacteria — for example, the strains of bacteria that often cause lung and ear infections a virus — most commonly an adenovirus that may also cause a sore throat and high temperature fever sexually transmitted infections STIs — such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea Viral conjunctivitis causes a watery discharge, while the discharge from bacterial conjunctivitis contains pus.
Spreading the infection You're more likely to develop infective conjunctivitis if you've been in close contact with someone who's already infected with it. Risk groups You may be more at risk of getting infective conjunctivitis if: you're old or young — it's more common in children and the elderly, possibly because children come into contact with more infections at school, and elderly people may have a weaker immune system you've recently had an upper respiratory tract infection — such as a cold you have diabetes or another condition that weakens your immune system — as you may be more vulnerable to infections you're taking corticosteroids steroids — which can weaken your immune system you have blepharitis inflammation of the rims of the eyelids — which can be caused by a bacterial infection and may lead to conjunctivitis you've been in a crowded place — such as a busy train Allergic conjunctivitis Allergic conjunctivitis is caused when your eyes come into contact with an allergen a particular substance that causes your immune system to react abnormally.
If you need treatment for a child under 2, you'll need a prescription from a GP. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to If it's a bacterial infection, you might be prescribed antibiotics. But these will not work if it's caused by a virus viral conjunctivitis or an allergy. Some sexually transmitted infections STIs can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to get better. Share this post. Leaking and Seeping If the nose is running like a faucet and a cough is hacking up enough phlegm to clog a sink, call it in.
Toilet Time Overload When someone has spent more time with their toilet during the day than any other piece of furniture in their house, then work may not be the best option. Red and Crusty If eyes are highly irritated, red or crusty, avoid the embarrassment and call in sick. Achy Breaky Once a person gets the flu, white blood cells release proteins to fight the infection. Appetite Shortage If someone is going through extreme appetite loss, it is a sure sign that the body is fighting against sickness.
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