Pink Eye Treatment Doctor in Lutz and New Port Richey, FL

There are several types of pink eye, bacterial and viral, that vary in duration for being contagious. Another type of pink eye that is caused by allergies is not contagious at all. Bacterial pink eye will be contagious until 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, but it is very important that patients take care to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent spreading the infection. Viral pink eye can be contagious for up to two weeks. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, particularly any other household members, it is very important to practice good hygiene, including regularly washing your hands, avoiding touching your eyes, and avoid sharing personal items with others such as pillowcases or towels.

Much like the duration of being contagious, the duration of the infection will vary depend on the cause. Viral pink eye will typically last for 1 to 2 weeks, whereas bacterial pink eye will often last for a few days to 1 week so long as appropriate treatment has been sought early in the infection. Pink eye that is the result of an allergen can persist so long as the individual is still being exposed to the allergen. To ensure that you can properly treat pink eye, it is important to consult with a medical professional to determine which type of pink eye you have contracted as well as to commence the appropriate method of treatment as quickly as possible to prevent any unnecessary discomfort and to prevent further spread.

Generally, viral pink eye will go away on its own without any medical interventions, with any recommended treatments focussing on managing common symptoms, such as using lubricating eyedrops to relieve dryness and discomfort or applying a warm compress to the affected eye to soothe the symptoms.

Bacterial pink eye typically requires a course of antibiotics as treatment as it is less likely to go away on its own but remains still easy to treat.

Pink eye that is the result of an allergy is unlikely to subside until the allergen that is causing symptoms has been removed or exposure to the allergen has been eliminated.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with pink eye or suspect that you may have pink eye, it is always recommended that you see a doctor. Depending on the cause of the pink eye, you may need the expertise and guidance provided from a doctor to determine what type of pink eye you have, as well as the best course of treatment to minimize symptoms and reduce the opportunities for which the infection can be spread to others. Medical attention is also recommended if the symptoms do not improve after a few days, if the symptoms are becoming severe, or if you are having difficulty seeing out of the affected eye. Although pink eye is not typically seen as a serious condition, it is always better to seek professional medical attention sooner than later to ensure that you have an accurate diagnosis and are not suffering through the symptoms any more than necessary.

It is common to feel as though your symptoms of pink eye have developed overnight because the symptoms do often appear quite suddenly due to the rapid spread of the infection as it is highly contagious. Even if the pink eye is caused by allergies, exposure to the allergen can cause the allergy symptoms to come about very quickly. Although symptoms develop very quickly, pink eye does not typically last very long, and can be treated or managed even more effectively through the recommendations provided by a healthcare provider. For more information about our services, contact us or schedule an appointment online, or visit our clinic for a walk-in appointment. We serve patients from Lutz FL, New Port Richey FL, Land O’ Lakes FL, Cheval FL, Greater Northdale FL, Greater Carrollwood FL, River Ridge FL, Seven Springs FL, Port Richey FL, Bayonet Point FL, Hudson FL, and Elfers FL.