Herpes Conjunctivitis Treatments

Conjunctivitis, or "pink eye", is defined as the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and a large portion of the eyeball. This inflammation causes the very small blood vessels inside the conjunctiva to become much more prominent, which leads to pink or red coloring within the whites of the eyes. The inflammation rarely has a negative impact on sight; however, the eyes are usually very irritated. Conjunctivitis is contagious, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential to help reduce the amount of people impacted by the disease.

Medical Treatments

• If the conjunctivitis infection is bacterial, antibiotic eye drops are commonly used for treating pink eye. Unfortunately, most of these treatments are not useful if the herpes virus is causing the conjunctivitis because antibiotic ointments and eye drops do not heal conjunctivitis that has been caused by a virus. Over-the-counter medicines and creams can be used to help relieve some of the inflammation or irritation, but the virus simply has to run its course and leave the body in time. The symptoms can worsen extensively over the first 3-5 days, but they will slowly clear on their own in time. Recovery time for viral pink eye can take up to 2-3 weeks for the virus to completely go away.

  Several different kinds of eye drops can be prescribed for treatment to minimize discomfort during the period when the virus is active. These types of eye drops include antihistamines, steroids, anti-inflammatory medicines and decongestants.

  Contact lenses can also have an impact on the treatment. Disposable contact lenses may need to be thrown away and replaced. Non-disposable contact lenses can usually be disinfected for continued use. The contact solution and contact case should be thrown away and replaced. It is important to wait until all symptoms of pink eye have gone away before wearing contact lenses again. It is also important to use the proper medication in the appropriate doses and for the entire time that your doctor prescribes it, to help reduce the chance of conjunctivitis returning.

Home Treatments

• The discomfort and irritation from conjunctivitis can be soothed by applying a warm compress to the affected eye(s). Simply take a clean cloth that is lint-free and soak it in warm water. Wring out the cloth and apply it to the closed eyelids letting it rest for several minutes. This can help eliminate most of the itching and irritation temporarily, but it will not help relieve the pink eye completely.

  Due to the chemical release of IgE from allergens, it is important to avoid rubbing the eyes to avoid further release of IgE and histamines within the body that cause the eyes to become inflamed and irritated. Cool compresses or over-the-counter eye drops can help soothe the eyes and reduce some of the symptoms. Practicing proper hygiene while infected can also reduce the symptoms. You should wash your hands frequently and often. Wash all cloths and towels after using them and take care not to share cosmetics with friends or family during the time period of which you are infected.

Prevention

• Once an infection has been diagnosed, it is important to reduce the amount of contact that the person has with other individuals. All parties involved must practice proper hygiene and completely wash their hands and face as often as possible. Pillowcases and bedding should be washed regularly. All cosmetics should not be shared by other people, and if an individual with pink eye becomes diagnosed, all cosmetics and contact lens accessories should be thrown away and replaced as quickly as possible.