Page 60 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

58 COMMON CONDITIONS: EYE AND EAR PROBLEMS

Conjunctivitis

Red, itchy, gritty, and watery eyes are often due to conjunctivitis,
WARNING
inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye. You may
also have a discharge that sticks your eyelids together. Infectious Seek immediate medical help if:
conjunctivitis tends to start in one eye and spread to the other. ● A red eye is associated with
pain, blurred or reduced vision,
Allergic conjunctivitis may be seasonal, as with hay fever, or may
or sensitivity to light
be due to triggers such as dust mites and pet hair. It can also occur
as a reaction to eye makeup or chemicals in eyedrops.
See also Hay fever, p.80; Wheezing, p.103.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Arrange to see your doctor if you think you
have conjunctivitis to establish the cause. Cleaning sticky eyes Follow these
steps to clean your eyes if they become sticky and
crusted. (This usually happens overnight.) Treat one
eye at a time to avoid spreading the infection from
What you can do yourself one eye to the other.
Once you know the cause of your attack of ● Use a clean cotton ball dipped in warm water and,
conjunctivitis, use the appropriate measures with the eye closed, gently wipe along your eyelids
below to support any treatment from your doctor. to remove any crusts.
● Wipe from the nose outward or the other way
● Avoid wearing contact lenses if you have any
around, but keep wiping in the same direction.
form of conjunctivitis until you have been free ● Repeat using a fresh cotton ball for the other eye.
of symptoms for at least 2 days.
● To avoid spreading conjunctivitis due to an
infection, don’t share towels, and change your
towel and pillowcase every day. Try not to rub DRUG REMEDIES
your eyes; if you do, wash your hands. Throw away
eye makeup that you have been using recently. Antihistamine/decongestant
eyedrops (see p.178) contain the antihistamine
● If your eyes are sticky or crusty each morning, pheniramine and the decongestant naphazalone.
clean them gently (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). They act quickly to provide temporary relief of itchy,
red, and watery eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis.
● During the day, bathe your eyes with cool water
to soothe them. This will also help to flush out
pollen if you have allergic conjunctivitis. Tilt your
head back and pour water into the corner of the
Seek further medical advice
eye, allowing it to wash over the eye.
● If conjunctivitis is due to allergy, use a cold Arrange to see your doctor again if:
compress to soothe irritation. Soak a clean cloth ● Conjunctivitis is not responding to
or cotton pad in cold water, wring it out, and place treatment after a day or two
it over your eyes for a few minutes. Repeat as ● You are using eyedrops but your symptoms
necessary, using a clean pad each time. are getting worse
● For allergic conjunctivitis try antihistamine/
decongestant eyedrops (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).