Conjunctivitis

Pink eye often gets better on its own in 7 to 14 days. Treatment at home includes:

• Washing your hands often. Always wash them before and after you touch your eyes or face.
• Use a clean, moist cloth to remove the crust. Wipe from the inside corn of the eye to the outside.
• Put cold or warm wet clothes on your eye a few times a day if the eye hurts.
• Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the pinkeye is gone.
• If given an antibiotic ointment or eyedrops by your doctor, use them as directed.

Pink eye is caused by a bacteria that can be treated with antibiotic eye drops, gel, or ointment.

Pink eye caused by other problems can be treated with over-the-counter eye drops normally used to treat allergies. These drops will not cure pink eye, but they can help with itchiness and irritation.