Conjunctivitis is a term signifying the inflammation of the covering over the white section of your eye. This causes red and itchy symptoms around the eyelid and conjunctivitis itself is most common in children. Being highly contagious sufferers should ensure they limit their contact with other individuals as much as possible.

This highly infectious eye condition is ordinarily the cause of infection however it can be instigated from contact with chemicals or in some circumstances allergies. The primary way to identify the cause of conjunctivitis is by looking at the discharge arising from the wound. If the discharge is clear and watery the cause is more likely to be attributed to an allergy or a viral infection. If the discharge resembles a thicker yellowy substance it typically points to a bacterial infection which will require antibiotic ointment or eye drops which you can obtain from your physician.

It is important to note that bacterial conjunctivitis along with viral conjunctivitis are both equally as infectious, however it is not possible to contract the allergy based conjunctivitis from other people.

If you find yourself suffering from this irritating eye condition then you need to seek medical advice given bacterial conjunctivitis is extremely contagious.

It is also very easy to cross infect your other healthy eye simply by rubbing the affected eye and transporting the bacteria across to your healthy eye. Ensure that anybody suffering from conjunctivitis within your household utilises their own towels and flannels and obtains specific antibiotic ointment or eye drops with which to treat the condition from your pharmacist or doctor. Once treated symptoms ordinarily subside within a few days and will clear up completely within around 7 days.