How long does pink eye last?

Key takeaways

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the tissue covering your eyes and eyelids. Viral conjunctivitis typically clears in 7 to 14 days, bacterial conjunctivitis improves in 2 to 5 days, and allergic conjunctivitis resolves once you remove the allergen.
• Symptoms include watery discharge, redness, itching, and light sensitivity. Bacterial pink eye may also cause yellow-white pus discharge and crusty eyes in the morning.
• Most cases resolve without treatment, but over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may ease symptoms. A healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections.

Overview

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the layer of tissue that covers the eyes and the inside of the eyelids. There are several types of pink eye, including:

• viral
• bacterial
• allergic

While viral and bacterial pink eye are transmissible, you can’t pass allergic conjunctivitis on to other people. Conjunctivitis doesn’t always require treatment and can go away on its own. But treating it can help improve your symptoms and speed up recovery.

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How long does pink eye last?

The course of pink eye can vary depending on the cause of conjunctivitis and how you treat it. Viral conjunctivitis is typically mild, and the infection generally clears within 7 to 14 days without any treatment. However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis may last up to 3 weeks.

Mild bacterial conjunctivitis typically improves within 2 to 5 days, but it may take up to 2 weeks to go away entirely without treatment. However, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat more severe bacterial infection cases.

Allergic conjunctivitis generally improves as soon as you remove the allergen causing your pink eye from your environment.

Can pink eye go away on its own?

Many cases of pink eye do go away on their own, either without treatment or using home remedies like cool compresses. This is especially true for viral conjunctivitis. However, in some cases, treatment may be necessary.

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

The symptoms of pink eye may vary depending on the cause. With viral or allergic conjunctivitis, you may experience symptoms such as:

• watery discharge from the eyes
• redness of the eyes
• burning eyes
• feeling as though there is something in your eye
• itching eyes
• light sensitivity

If the infection is due to bacteria, you may experience more symptoms, including:

• white-yellow pus discharge
• crusty eyes in the morning
• small bumps, called papillae, in the lining of the eyelids

Causes of pink eye

Several factors can lead to pink eye. The most common causes include:

• bacterial infections
• allergic reactions
• viral infections

Other causes of pink eye may include:

• getting an eye infection from contact lenses
• a foreign body entering the eye, like an eyelash
• air pollution, such as smoke, dust, fumes, or chemical vapors
• fungi and parasites

Doctors can identify the type of conjunctivitis you have and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment for pink eye

Several treatment options are available for treating pink eye, depending on its cause. These can include eye drops and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Generally, conjunctivitis goes away on its own within a couple of weeks and does not require treatment. However, some OTC medications, such as antihistamines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may relieve your symptoms.

Antihistamines may be particularly effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis. Antihistamines come in the form of oral tablets and eye drops.

Topical antihistamines for pink eye may include:

• epinastine (Elestat)
• bepotastine (Bepreve)

Oral antihistamines for conjunctivitis may include:

• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• desloratadine (Clarinex)
• levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)

OTC medications may also relieve inflammation and itchiness that you may experience with viral conjunctivitis.

If you have a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to treat your conjunctivitis. These may include:

• ofloxacin (Ocuflox)
• azithromycin (AzaSite)
• ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
• moxifloxacin (Moxeza, Vigamox)
• gatifloxacin (Zymaxid)

Applying cold compresses and keeping your eyes clean using a warm, damp cloth can help speed up the healing process of pink eye and reduce itching and discomfort.

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Preventing conjunctivitis

You can reduce the risk of pink eye and help prevent a repeat infection by:

• avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes
• washing your hands regularly, before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, or when you sneeze or cough
• avoiding eye makeup
• replacing eye makeup with new products if you have had conjunctivitis, and not sharing it with others
• using clean towels or cloths every time you wipe your eyes and face
• avoiding wearing contact lenses and cleaning or replacing them after an eye infection
• storing and cleaning contact lenses as recommended

Summary

Pink eye typically goes away within a couple of weeks, but this may vary depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis and how you treat it. Allergens, viruses, and bacteria can cause pink eye.

In most cases, pink eye goes away without treatment. However, in more severe cases of infection, you may need medical treatment.

OTC medications, such as antihistamines and NSAIDs, may help reduce itching and discomfort that pink eye may cause. Not sharing eye makeup, using clean towels, and practicing regular handwashing can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting pink eye.

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