Information On Conjunctivitis, Pinkeye

Information On Conjunctivitis, Pinkeye
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Conjunctivitis is either infectious (caused by bacteria or viruses),
allergic (caused by an allergic reaction), irritant (caused by
something in the eye), or chemical (caused by a chemical substance).
Commonly known as pinkeye because of the inflamed tissues that are seen
when the eyelid is pulled back, conjunctivitis is the most common
infectious disease of the eye that affects children. Although most
types of conjunctivitis are contagious, it usually causes no danger to
the eye or to your child's vision.

Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by one of the adenoviruses, a
family of viruses which typically produce upper respiratory illnesses
("colds"). In temperate climates, adenoviruses are most common during
the spring, early summer, and mid-winter, and they may produce
epidemics, especially among school children and hospitalized patients.
Adenoviruses can be found in fluids from the eyes, mouth, and nose of
infected patients, and they can spread from person to person on dirty
hands and in the droplets of coughs and sneezes. In most cases,
adenoviruses produce only a simple superficial conjunctivitis; however,
they are also capable of producing keratoconjunctivitis, a more serious
infection that can cloud the cornea and interfere with normal vision.
Besides adenoviruses, other viral causes of conjunctivitis include
enteroviruses, the measles virus (rubeola), and the herpes simplex
virus.

Bacterial conjunctivitis may be caused by several different types of
bacteria, including: Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococci, staphylococci
("staph"), and streptococci ("strep"). As with viral conjunctivitis,
most of these bacterial infections are spread through contact with
infected secretions via coughs, sneezes, and dirty hands. Children born
to mothers with vaginal gonorrhea or chlamydia infections may also
develop gonorrheal or chlamydial conjunctivitis if their eyes are
infected by contaminated secretions in the birth canal during vaginal
delivery.

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, your eyes may become red and
swollen. They may itch or even hurt, and may "water,"or make tears. You
may have a runny nose and you may sneeze a lot. These symptoms are
started by an allergen, which is a foreign substance that irritates
your body. Your body reacts to the allergen by releasing chemicals,
such as histamine, which cause many of your allergic symptoms. Some
common allergens and irritants include pollen from trees, grass and
ragweed, animal skin and hair, skin medicines, air pollution and smoke.

Most patients with uncomplicated viral or bacterial conjunctivitis
are treated with either prescription or non-prescription eye
medication. For uncomplicated viral conjunctivitis, you doctor may
suggest a specific type of non-prescription eyedrops. You can use these
to relieve eye symptoms while your body fights off the viral infection.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, prescription eyedrops containing
antibiotics (sulfacetamide, erythromycin, or others) are necessary. You
must use these for as many days as your doctor directs, even though
symptoms may clear within a day or two.

For general symptom relief, you can also try applying warm
compresses to your eyes for 20 to 30 minute periods, several times a
day. Gently wipe away eye discharge and crusts with a clean, moist
cotton ball or tissue. If your child has pink eye, do not send him back
to school or daycare until the eye is no longer pink. Once pink eye has
been diagnosed, change your child's towel, washcloth and pillowcase
daily. For long-term prevention, teach children to wash their hands
thoroughly. Ask them to keep their hands away from their eyes and to
avoid sharing handkerchiefs, towels and cosmetics.

Here are some vitamins and herbs that can be used to treat conjunctivitis.

Vitamins :- A, B2, B6, C Complex

Minerals :- Iron

Herbs :- Eyebright, Golden Seal, Chamomile Tea (as eye wash)

The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.