Medically reviewed by Susan Kerrigan, MD and Marianne Madsen on February 6, 2023
Your eye is itchy and watering. It’s getting inflamed–sort of pinkish, bordering on red. It’s also starting to have a yellowish discharge. What is going on?
Eye infections are common, especially in kids. We touch our eyes a lot–more than we realize–and often, our hands are not that clean. Two of the most common types of eye infections are conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye) and styes. Here’s how to distinguish between the two and how to treat–and prevent–these infections.
Pink eye
Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the eye. The cause is usually bacterial or viral. If it’s bacterial, sufferers may get some gooey green or yellow discharge in addition to the redness and itching, and their eyes might be crusted shut in the morning. If it’s viral, the eye is usually watery, swollen, and sensitive to light. A viral infection can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and cough. Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious until the tearing or crusting clears up, which can take 3 to 7 days, which is why pink eye can be rampant at school or daycare. Depending on the cause, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics or eye drops. The infection normally clears up without intervention within 3-6 days.
Styes
A stye is also red and painful, but it is not contagious. Rather than inflaming the membrane, a stye is what happens when an oil or sweat gland on the eye gets clogged up by dead skin, oil, or bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, causing a pimple-like bump at the edge of the eyelid. A person with a stye might also feel like there’s grit in the eye and can be sensitive to light. A stye will usually go away on its own, rupturing and draining after 2 to 7 days. To soothe pain and discomfort, apply a warm, wet compress to the eye for 5 to 10 minutes a few times during the day.
Prevention
Taking good care of your eyes can help you prevent eye infections. Here are some tips to help you avoid both styes and pink eye:
- Wash your hands often, especially if you work with young children or take care of animals.
- Wash off eye makeup at the end of each day with an oil-free makeup remover or gentle soap.
- Wash your face with warm water at the end of each day.
- Wash your bedding frequently, especially your pillows.
- Don’t share items that touch your eyes, including towels, washcloths, and cosmetics.
Pink eye is generally a contagious infection of the eye; a stye is what happens when an oil or sweat gland gets clogged up and causes a bump on the edge of the eye. Both pink eye and styes are highly treatable. Pink eye sometimes requires antibiotic treatment for it to clear; a stye will normally disappear on its own. Following good eye hygiene can help to prevent both styes and pink eye.
Written by Joanne Myers