Conjunctivitis is an infection of the conjunctiva of the eyes that causes intense inflammation, resulting in very uncomfortable symptoms, such as redness of the eyes, production of rashes, itching and burns.
This type of infection can appear in one eye, but it can also affect both eyes, especially if there are drops that can be transported from one eye to the other.
- Because the infection can have several causes.
- Conjunctivitis is divided into three main groups to facilitate diagnosis and better guide treatment.
The main types of conjunctivitis include
Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection and usually causes milder symptoms, including only redness, hypersensitivity to light, excessive tear production and itching.
In addition, because there are very few cases of remel production, viral conjunctivitis tends to affect only one eye. See more details about this type of conjunctivitis and how treatment is performed.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, on the other hand, often causes symptoms and more intense signs, with excessive tampon production and mild swelling of the eyelids, as well as redness of the eyes, hypersensitivity to light, pain and itching.
Due to granule production, bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to affect both eyes because it is easier to transport secretions to the other eye. To better understand how to identify bacterial conjunctivitis and how to treat it.
Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common type and usually affects both eyes, being caused by allergy-causing substances such as pollen, animal hair or household dust. It usually affects allergic people such as asthma, rhinitis or bronchitis.
Este tipo de conjuntivite não é transmissível e ocorre mais frequentemente na primavera e no outono, quando há muito pólen espalhado pelo ar, podendo, por isso, ser tratada com um colírio anti-alérgico. Saiba mais sobre este tipo de conjuntivite e como tratar.
In addition to the three main types of conjunctivitis, it is also possible to develop toxic conjunctivitis, which occurs when irritation is caused by chemicals, such as hair dyes, cleaning products, exposure to cigarette smoke or the use of certain types of medications.
In these cases, signs and symptoms, such as tearing or redness, usually go away overnight, only with a saline wash, without the need for specific treatment.
The best way to identify the type of conjunctivitis is to consult an ophthalmologist to evaluate symptoms, their intensity and identify the causal agent. Until you know the diagnosis, it’s important to prevent contagion by washing your hands frequently and avoiding sharing objects that are in direct contact with your face, such as towels or pillows.
Watch the video below and better understand the differences between different types of conjunctivitis:
Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on its cause, and lubricating eye drops such as artificial tears, eye drops or ointments with antibiotics and antihistamines may be prescribed to relieve symptoms. However, during treatment, other steps may also be taken to relieve symptoms, such as:
If conjunctivitis is contagious, avoid sharing makeup, facial towels, pillows, soaps or any other object in contact with your face. Find out what remedies can be used to treat each type of conjunctivitis.