What is commonly misdiagnosed as pink eye?
Various conditions can be misinterpreted as pinkeye:
Answer:
Depending on whether the pink eye is allergic, bacterial, or viral, the following symptoms may appear:
- Allergies
- Keratitis
- Redness
- Iritis
- Grittiness, or feelings of something stuck in your eye
- Itchiness
- Burning
- Swollen eyelids
- Wateriness or discharge
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Mild pain
How to recognize pink eyes?
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a disorder that causes conjunctiva swelling or inflammation. The conjunctiva is a translucent tissue layer that protects the whites of your eyes.
Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and typically spreads by close contact, coughing, sneezing, or touching a shared object or surface. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes or face to help prevent transmission.
What is pink eye?
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, happens when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, which can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergies.
Redness, copious tears, and a gritty or itchy sensation often characterize pink eye inflammation. Conjunctivitis caused by viruses or bacteria is generally accompanied by discharge. The discharge in viral conjunctivitis is typically straightforward and tear-like, whereas the discharge in bacterial conjunctivitis is thicker and mucous-like. In some situations, it may induce discharge or a gritty sensation in the eye.
How long does pink eye last?
Pink eyes can remain for different periods depending on the type of conjunctivitis. Without therapy, viral conjunctivitis typically resolves between 7-14 days.
However, certain situations will take two to three weeks to resolve. On the other hand, bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolves in 2-5 days without treatment, but it can take up to two weeks.
FAQs
What is commonly misdiagnosed as pink eye in toddlers?
Some common misdiagnosed as pink eye are:
- Allergies
- Keratitis
- Redness
- Iritis
- Itchiness
- Burning
How do you tell if it’s pink eye or something else?
- Pink or red color in the whites of the eyes.
- Swelling of the conjunctiva and/or eyelids.
- Increased tear production.
- Feeling as if a foreign body is in one or both eyes, or a need to rub the eye.
Are there other eye infections besides pink eye?
There are many eye infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, and cellulitis.