Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva that causes dilation of the conjunctival blood vessel and makes the eyes red is called conjunctivitis. When the inflammation is limited to the conjunctiva, it is called primary conjunctivitis. There are different types of conjunctivitis like viral, allergic and bacterial. In this article, we shall concentrate more on bacterial conjunctivitis and understand more about this kind of infection.

What is Bacterial Conjunctivitis?

Bacterial conjunctivitis is an infection of the outer mucous membrane of the eye by a strain of contagious streptococcus, staphylococcus or hemophylus influenza. Many people wonder if bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. This disease is contagious and if one person in the family is infected, others may become infected too. It is also called pink eye or Madras eye. The infectious bacteria may come from the patient's own skin, upper respiratory tract and may be contracted from another contagious person. Conjunctivitis may also be caused by a viral infection. The following information on viral vs bacterial conjunctivitis will help you differentiate between the two infections.

Viral vs Bacterial Conjunctivitis

There are 5 different causes of conjunctivitis. These include viral, chlamydial, allergic reaction, reactive conjunctivitis due to chemical or irritant substance and finally bacterial conjunctivitis. However, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are more commonly spread among people.

Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is mostly associated with a common cold infection. This infection is caused by a virus called adenovirus. The viral conjunctivitis can spread very fast and may even lead to a conjunctivitis epidemic among people. The eyes of the infected person become red and this causes a watery discharge. The eyes become irritated and the person may also develop some symptoms of a common cold. The lymph nodes around the ears and neck become tender. The infection from the conjunctiva may spread to the cornea. Initially one eye may be infected and soon the other eye too may get infected. The infection is most severe on the third day up to fifth day after infection.

Viral conjunctivitis is a self-limiting condition. Viral conjunctivitis may persist for several weeks before becoming fully cured. Antibiotics and ointments do not work on viral conjunctivitis. Treatment usually involves use of eye drops like vasoconstrictors, decongestants to reduce surface swelling and itching may be reduced by the use of antihistamines.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis
This infection is caused by contagious bacteria. As mentioned above, these bacteria are present on the patients own skin or maybe contracted from an infected person. They may even spread from pre-existing sinus infections or ear infections. Bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms include a thick discharge or pus from the infected eye. One or both eyes maybe infected. The eyes become red and itchy, tender and may produce excessive tears. The pus discharge from underneath the eye dries out and causes crusting. The treatment involves use of antibiotics to kill the bacteria. One maybe advised the use of antibiotic eye drops and eye ointments. The infection usually subsides in a few days.

Home Remedies for Bacterial Conjunctivitis

There are many effective home remedies for bacterial conjunctivitis. You should wash your eyes several times a day with cold water. This will help in reducing the inflammation and washing off the infectious agents. You can even try using honey to get rid of the infection. Drop one or two drops honey directly into the eye. Or else add 3 tablespoons honey into 2 cups of boiling water. Stir and allow it cool. Then use this mixture as an eyewash several times a day. Honey is known for its antibacterial properties and will help reduce the infection. But keep in mind, honey may cause a bit of burning sensation in the eye.

Next, you can try cutting a slice of potato and placing it on the eye. Potato works as an astringent and helps in reduction of the inflammation. Do not throw away used teabags. Instead, place them over the eyes for 15 minutes. The bioflavonoids in the tea helps fight bacterial as well as viral infection. You can repeat this remedy several times a day. Swollen eyes can be treated using a moisten teabag with cold water.

You can even put 2 to 3 drops of Castor oil in your eyes two times every day. This will help cure bacterial conjunctivitis and continue using it till the infection clears off. Another home remedy is dissolving sea salt in water. Dip a cotton ball in the saline solution and place it over the eye. Allow the saline water to drip into your eyes. This is a very effective way to get rid of a conjunctivitis infections.

This was all about bacterial conjunctivitis. Most of the time, the conjunctivitis clears off by use of antibiotics. Do not cover your eyes as it helps in growth of the bacteria. Hope the above information on bacterial conjunctivitis helps you understand this infection better.