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Let's figure out what will help take care of this pink eye.

Pharmacist

First, know that infectious pink eye is contagious. You should follow preventive measures to prevent spreading it or reinfection.

Second, nothing over the counter for bacteria related pink eye. Don't waste your time or money.

Viral pink eye may require no treatment except you have a weak immune system.

Allergy related pink eye will require eye drops. Over-the-counter ones are very effective.

With this in mind, continue to see what is recommended.


Lady with pinkeye

Let's use this information to figure out how to take care of this pinkeye.

 


Which of the symptoms listed below are you experiencing right now?
Pharmacist

Lady rubbing her eyes

Choose your symptoms from the list below and see what is recommended.

 

 

Selection require an allergy pinkeye management approach.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a viral pinkeye management approach.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require you to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an allergy and viral pinkeye management approach.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an allergy pinkeye management approach and for you to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a viral pinkeye management approach and for you to seek urgent care.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require allergy, viral pinkeye management approach and for you to definitely seek urgent care.
Pharmacist

 

Something to prevent?

 

Preventive measures


Frequent hand washing.

Do not share eye stuff.

 

All of these?
You must have this pinkeye really bad.
Pharmacist

You must have this very bad. Please seek urgent care.

 

None of these?
We must have left something out.

Choose what you feel closely resembles what you are feeling and see what is recommended.

Contact Lens?
You should seek urgent or emergency care for this.
Pharmacist

Seek urgent care treatment or emergency room for this. It will get worse fast and may require antibiotic eye drops which are not available over-the-counter.

 

Chemical?
Go to the nearest emergency room.
Pharmacist

The effect of the chemical is still going on. You have to idea when it will end and you risk damaging your eyes.

You should go to the emergency room.

 

Allergy Management Approach

Ketotifen fumarate eye drops

You will use this as the first choice for fast acting and long acting (12 hr) relief from allergy-related pinkeye.

Man with itchy eyes

This is the most effective over-the-counter. The only limitation is cost.
Good examples are Zaditor, Alaway or store brands.

Second choice:
Eye drops that end with a capital "A". Naphcon-A, Visine-A, Opcon-A, Store brand-A.

They last for 4 to 6 hours but some contain vasoconstrictors which can cause a rebound red eye effect.
Choose this if Ketotifen is too expensive for you.

Oral Antihistamines:
Loratadine, cetirizine or fexofenadine are good examples that will help with allergy related pinkeye.

Cool Compress:
This can be used to ease eye pain.

Man applying cold compress

 

 

Viral Management Approach

Warm Compress

Use 3 to 4 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Be sure to wash hands after using.

Lady applying warm compress

Clean the eye by wiping from the inside to the outside.

Artificial Tears Eye Drops

If the eye feels gritty and dry, use artificial tears to easy eye pain especially pain on eyeball movements.

 

 

Seek Urgent Care

You will have to see a healthcare professional for this.

Most likely bacterial related pinkeye is involved and this require an antibiotic eye drop which is not available over-the-counter.

 

 

Combination Products

 

 

Worth doing

 

 

Last updated by pharmacist on 08/28/2018 at 05:30:pm

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Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
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Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

What if you are currently experiencing the conditions listed below?

Or if you have a question for the pharmacist?
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