A lot of us remember our parents fretting about pink eye, warning us to stay away from afflicted kids, and making sure we were washing our hands. But is pink eye really that contagious? Short answer: yes, absolutely. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is about as contagious as the common cold, which means it can easily be spread from person to person. If you or someone you know has pink eye, you can do a few things to make sure it doesn’t spread.

What to Do with Pink Eye

If you have pink eye, the best thing you can do is maintain a rigorous personal hygiene standard. Make sure to wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds at a time, and use soap and water. Hand sanitizer can also be effective in keeping pink eye from spreading. You should also be careful not to touch or rub your eyes, especially the one afflicted with the infection. Not only can this spread pink eye, but it can also make the condition worse. You should also avoid wearing contacts if possible and make sure your eyeglasses are regularly cleaned. If you’re using eye drops, use a different bottle for your infected eye than your other eye. Using the same bottle of drops can spread the infection from one eye to the other.

Call Us to Find Out More

If someone you know has pink eye, the rules are pretty much the same. Wash your hands frequently, making sure to use soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. Avoid touching your eyes whenever possible, as the bacteria may be on your hands. Try to avoid touching things the infected person has touched, to make sure nothing spreads from their hands to yours. You should also avoid sharing items like pillowcases, eyeglasses, makeup brushes, or washcloths with the infected person until the pink eye has run its course. For additional information, reach out to us today!