Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in Kids

KidsStreet Urgent Care is breaking down causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention tips for pink eye in kids. Read on for all the info you need to keep your little one’s eyes bright and healthy!

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is the most common eye condition we see in our clinics. This infection causes the conjunctiva (the clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye and inside of the eyelid) to inflame. Pink eye can affect one or both eyes.

Adults can get pink eye, but it is much more common in kids. While pink eye can happen at any time of the year, it is one of the illnesses that tend to increase in the fall when kids head back to school.

Pink Eye Causes

There are three leading causes of pink eye:

  • Viruses
  • Bacteria
  • Allergens or irritants

A fungus or parasite may cause pink eye, but it is rare. Let’s take a closer look at each leading cause of pink eye.

Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral pink eye is the most common type, accounting for about 75 percent of cases. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious even before symptoms develop and remains contagious while symptoms are present.

Several different viruses can cause pink eye, including:

  • Adenovirus is the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis and the virus that causes the common cold.
  • COVID-19 virus can cause pink eye.
  • Epstein-Barr virus, which also causes infectious mononucleosis.
  • Herpes simplex virus, which can also cause painful blisters or ulcers.
  • Varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox and shingles.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Pink eye caused by bacteria is less common than viral pink eye. Bacterial pink eye is very contagious from the time symptoms appear until they resolve or until 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

The most common bacteria that cause pink eye include:

  • Chlamydia trachomatis, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be passed from mom to baby through the birth canal during childbirth.
  • Haemophilus influenzae is most common in babies and toddlers.
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae is another STD that can be passed from mom to baby through the birth canal during childbirth.
  • Moraxella catarrhalis is a common cause of inner ear and sinus infections.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria commonly carried in the nose and on the skin of healthy people.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Pink eye from allergens and irritants is not contagious. The most common allergens and irritants that cause pink eye include:

  • Chlorine or other pool chemicals
  • Dander from pets
  • Dust mites
  • Molds
  • Pollen from grass, plants, trees, and weeds

Pink Eye Symptoms

Whether your kiddo’s pink eye is viral, bacterial, or from an allergen, there are some similar signs and symptoms:

  • Crusting of their eyelashes or eyelids, especially in the morning when they wake
  • Eye discharge, which may be green, white, or yellow
  • Irritation and itching of the eye
  • Pink or redness in the white of the eye
  • Swelling of the eyelids

Your little one may have more specific symptoms depending on the type of pink eye they have. For example:

Viral Pink Eye –

  • Has a watery eye discharge.
  • Generally starts with one eye and spreads to the other eye within a day or two.
  • May occur with other viral illnesses such as a cold, flu, or respiratory infection.

Bacterial Pink Eye –  

  • Has a thicker eye discharge.
  • May occur with an ear or sinus infection.

Allergic Pink Eye –

  • Affects both eyes.
  • Causes intense irritation and itching.
  • May occur with other allergy symptoms such as asthma, sneezing, or sore throat.

You should call your child’s healthcare provider or eye doctor if your child is a newborn or if your little one has:

  • A weakened immune system from an underlying health condition
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Fever
  • Intense eye redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Symptoms that worsen or do not start to improve after a week of home treatment or after two to three days of medical treatment

Pink Eye Treatment

The treatment for pink eye varies depending on the cause.

  • Viral pink eye usually resolves on its own within a week or two.
  • Bacterial pink eye also usually resolves within two weeks without treatment. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to improve the symptoms and speed up the healing process.
  • Allergic or irritant pink eye improves when the allergens and irritants are avoided. Your healthcare provider may prescribe anti-allergy medications to prevent future occurrences, especially during allergy season.

You can help your kiddo feel more comfortable with some at-home supportive care such as:

  • Administering over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tear eye drops to relieve irritation.
  • Administering OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Applying cool or warm compresses to their eye to clean away the drainage and provide comfort.
  • Keeping them from wearing contact lenses, which can further irritate their eyes and contaminate the contact lens.
  • Keeping them home from school to recover while they have symptoms.
  • Reminding them not to touch their infected eye so they don’t spread it.

Bonus pro tips:

If your healthcare provider prescribes antibiotic eye drops or recommends OTC eye drops, they may be challenging to administer in young children. To make it easier for your kiddo (and for you!), simply:

  • Have them lay flat with their eyes closed.
  • Administer the prescribed number of drops onto the inner corner of their eye.
  • Have them open their eyes, and then the drops will enter their eye.

If your healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic ointment, have your child close their eyes. Apply a thin layer of ointment where their upper and lower lids meet. Once they open their eyes, the ointment will enter their eye.

Pink Eye Prevention

Viral and bacterial pink eye are highly contagious. Even if your kiddo already has it, you’ll want to take note of these prevention tips to keep them from getting it again. You and your child should:

 

  • Wash your hands! Good hygiene can prevent the spread of most bacteria and viruses. You should wash your hands after applying compresses or eye drops, and your child should wash their hands multiple times a day. Wash your hands with warm water and soap, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, face, mouth, or nose.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home, like countertops, doorknobs, faucet handles, and toilets.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, as some viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing.
  • Do not share contact lenses, eye drops, eyeglasses, or eye makeup with others.
  • Encourage your child not to touch their friends’ faces.
  • Replace or thoroughly disinfect contact lenses that may have been worn as pink eye symptoms developed.
  • Stay home from school as long as symptoms are present.
  • Stay up to date with all recommended vaccines. Many vaccines can help prevent some of the viral and bacterial causes of pink eye, such as:
    • Chickenpox
    • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
    • Measles
    • Pneumococcal
    • Rubella
    • Shingles
  • Throw away any makeup that may have been worn as pink eye symptoms developed.
  • Throw away any tissues used to blow your nose, cough, sneeze, or wipe your eyes immediately.
  • Wash all linens such as pillowcases, sheets, towels, and washcloths used by someone with pink eye separately in hot water to prevent the spread.
Why Choose KidsStreet urgent Care?

Turn to KidsStreet Urgent Care

Does your little one have pink, irritated eyes? KidsStreet Urgent Care can help them heal and feel better fast!

Register online to visit the clinic nearest you. You and your kiddo can wait from the comfort of your home or vehicle until we’re ready to see you. We’ll text you when it’s time to head to the clinic.

KidsStreet loves walk-ins! However, we recommend registering online to reduce in-clinic wait times. Walk-ins join the same queue as those who register online.