Conjunctivitis is an infection in the conjunctiva of the eyes that causes intense inflammation, resulting in very uncomfortable symptoms such as redness in the eyes, production of redness, itching and burning.
This type of infection can appear in just one eye, but it can also affect both eyes, especially if there are patches that can be carried from one eye to the other.
Since the infection can have different causes, conjunctivitis is divided into three large groups, in order to facilitate diagnosis and better guide treatment.
The main types of conjunctivitis include:
1. Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is one that is caused by a virus infection and usually causes milder symptoms, which only include redness, hypersensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and itching.
In addition, as there are rare cases in which there is production of blemishes, viral conjunctivitis tends to affect only one of the eyes. See more details about this type of conjunctivitis and how it is treated.
2. Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, usually causes more intense symptoms and signs, with excessive production of eyelid flutters and slight swelling, in addition to redness of the eyes, hypersensitivity to light, pain and itching.
Due to the production of blemishes, bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to affect both eyes, as it is easier to transport secretions to the other eye. Better understand how to identify bacterial conjunctivitis and how to treat it.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common type and usually affects both eyes and is caused by substances that cause allergies, such as pollen, pet dander or house dust. It usually affects people susceptible to allergies such as asthma, rhinitis or bronchitis.
This type of conjunctivitis is non-transmissible and occurs more often in spring and autumn, when there is a lot of pollen spread in the air, so it can be treated with anti-allergic eye drops. Learn more about this type of conjunctivitis and how to treat it.
Other types of conjunctivitis
In addition to the three main types of conjunctivitis, it is also possible to develop toxic conjunctivitis, which occurs when irritation is caused by chemicals, such as hair dye, cleaning products, exposure to cigarette smoke or the use of some types of medications.
In these cases, the signs and symptoms such as watery eyes or redness, usually disappear overnight, just washing with saline solution, without the need for specific treatment.
How do I know what kind of conjunctivitis I have?
The best way to identify the type of conjunctivitis is to consult an ophthalmologist to assess the symptoms, their intensity and identify the causative agent. Until you know the diagnosis, it is important to prevent contagion by washing your hands frequently and avoiding sharing objects that are in direct contact with your face, such as towels or pillows.
How to treat conjunctivitis
The treatment of conjunctivitis depends on its cause, and lubricating drops such as artificial tears, eye drops or ointments with antibiotics and antihistamines may be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms. However, during treatment, other measures can still be taken to alleviate the symptoms, such as:
- Avoid exposure to sunlight or intense light, using sunglasses whenever possible;
- Regularly wash eyes with saline solution, in order to eliminate secretions;
- Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes or applying eye drops and ointments;
- Put cold compresses on closed eyes;
- Avoid wearing contact lenses;
- Change bath and face towels for each use;
- Avoid exposure to irritating agents such as smoke or dust;
- Avoid going to swimming pools.
In case the conjunctivitis is infectious, one should avoid sharing makeup, face towels, pillows, soap or any other object that is in contact with the face. See what remedies can be used to treat each type of conjunctivitis.
