Pink eye usually lasts anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more, depending on what caused it. A mild bacterial infection can clear within days, while a viral case often lingers for a week or two. Allergic pink eye fades once you’re away from whatever’s bothering your eyes.
If you woke up with one eye crusted shut, you’re probably wondering when you or your child can return to the office or the classroom. A provider at Emerald Coast Urgent Care can look at your eye and pin down the type that you have.
What is pink eye?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, inflames the white of your eye and the lining of your eyelids, according to the National Eye Institute. When something irritates or infects these areas, the tiny blood vessels inside them swell and give the eye its “pink” hue.
You’ll usually notice some mix of these symptoms:
- A pink or red tint to the white of the eye
- Watery or thick discharge
- Crusty buildup on the lashes that’s most noticeable in the morning
- Feeling itchy or gritty, as though something is lodged in your eye
- Puffy eyelids
And it can start in either one eye or both.
Pink eye timelines by type
Viral pink eye: Usually lasts one to two weeks
Most pink eye comes from viruses, often the same kind behind colds. That’s why it may show up with a runny nose or sore throat. The discharge stays mostly watery — more tears than outright gunk. The CDC says a viral case usually gets better on its own within a week or two, though a stubborn one can last three weeks or longer.
This is the type of pink eye that frustrates people most. Antibiotic drops can’t touch a virus, so a viral case will run its course no matter what you use on it.
Bacterial pink eye: Often lasts one to five days
With bacterial pink eye, the discharge turns thick and yellow or green, drying overnight into a crust along your lashes. Left untreated, a mild case can clear in two to five days, but the eye might not fully heal for up to two weeks. Antibiotic drops or ointment can shorten that time while helping to keep the infection from spreading.
Allergic pink eye: Can last until you avoid the allergen
Allergic pink eye happens when your eyes react to something like pollen or pet dander. Both eyes usually itch and water at the same time, often with a round of sneezing. Symptoms last as long as you’re around the trigger, which is why they may flare with the seasons.
Irritant pink eye: Quick to clear up most of the time
A morning in the water or an afternoon in the hotel pool can leave your eyes red and stinging. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that this type is usually brief and doesn’t call for medicine. Rinsing your eyes with clean water helps the irritation go away.
Irritant pink eye isn’t contagious, so there’s no reason to cancel the rest of your beach week. If the redness won’t fade or your eye hurts, have it checked at one of our clinics.
How long is pink eye contagious?
If you’ve ever watched pink eye move through a classroom, you know how fast it can spread. An eye infected by a virus or bacteria can pass pink eye along for as long as it’s red or weeping. With a viral case, you may be contagious a little before the pinkness even shows up.
Every school and daycare handles pink eye differently. Call ahead and ask about yours. Many want a child to be on antibiotic drops for a full day before they return, but not every case of pink eye needs antibiotics. At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, a provider can check your child’s eye and let you know when it’s safe for them to go back. If your job keeps you close to other people, check with us before returning to work.
If someone in your home has pink eye, these steps can help to keep the rest of the family from catching it:
- Wash your hands before and after you clean the infected eye or put in drops
- Give each person their own towel and washcloth
- Wash pillowcases and towels on a hot cycle
- Throw away any eye makeup you used while you had pink eye
Pink eye treatment at home and in the clinic
Because the right treatment depends on what’s causing your pink eye, it’s worth having your eye checked first. If a provider finds a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment. Use them as directed, even after your eye looks better.
For allergic pink eye, the best thing you can do is avoid the allergen as much as possible. Allergy medicine or antihistamine eye drops can also help to ease the itching.
With any type, home care can make you more comfortable while your eye heals. A warm, damp washcloth softens morning crust so it wipes away easily, while a cool one eases itching. Use a clean cloth for each eye so you don’t spread the infection.
When to get pink eye checked
Pain and vision changes aren’t part of a typical case. See a provider if you have:
- Strong eye pain or deep redness
- A heavy flow of thick discharge
- Blurry vision or light sensitivity that lingers after you wipe the eye clean
- Symptoms that stall after a few days or start getting worse
- An immune system weakened by illness or its treatment
- A recent scratch on the eye
Newborns are different. If a baby only a few weeks old shows any redness or discharge, call a doctor without waiting.
If you wear contacts, a red, painful eye can mean an infection of the cornea, the clear front of the eye. Take your lenses out and get checked today.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear contacts with pink eye?
No. Wear glasses instead until your symptoms clear up, then toss any disposable lenses and the case you used while infected.
Should I stay home from work with pink eye?
If it’s viral or bacterial, yes. These are contagious forms of pink eye and can spread to others in your workplace if you go.
Can pink eye spread from one eye to the other?
Yes, viral and bacterial pink eye often reach the second eye within a few days, especially if you rub the first one.
Is pink eye always contagious?
No, allergic and irritant pink eye can’t spread to anyone, but the viral and bacterial kinds are easy to catch from someone else.
Walk-in pink eye care at Emerald Coast Urgent Care
A pink, crusty eye can throw off a workday or a vacation. Emerald Coast Urgent Care treats babies through grandparents, locals and visitors alike, with no appointment needed. We’ll examine your eye and tell you when it’s safe to be around others again.
All three locations are open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
- Destin: 12598 Emerald Coast Parkway, 850-654-8878
- Panama City Beach: 2704 Navy Blvd., 850-236-8655
- Inlet Beach: 13625 U.S. Highway 98, 850-588-1843
Visit your nearest location today, or contact us with questions before you come in.
