

What's Going Around: Pinkeye

Diseases and IllnessesU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Pinkeye or conjunctivitis is going around this week.

It's a very contagious illness that can easily be spread eye to eye and person to person.

Doctors say pinkeye is inflammation of the lining inside the lid.

That inflammation gives your eyes the pink or reddish look.

If your eyes are itchy, pink and crusty when you wake up those are all signs that you have pinkeye.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, pinkeye is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in both children and adults.

It can be caused by allergens, a virus or bacteria.

The virus is what can easily spread from one eye to another and person to person.

That's why it's important to wash your hands after you touch your eyes or your face.

Most pinkeye cases are mild and don't need to be treated, but sometimes they are severe.

Call the doctor if you have severe eye pain, blurred vision or your symptoms don't get better over time.

If you do get pinkeye, here are a few more tips to stop the spread.

Don't rub your eyes if they are infected.

Don't share common things such as unwashed towels.

Don't share eye makeup.

If you wear contacts and have pink eye, wear glasses instead.

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