Conjunctivitis causes can come from a variety of sources and the severity of the condition is often dependent on how it is caused. The most common cause of conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction. This happens when the eye comes into contact with an allergen. The mast cells produce histamine, which causes the symptoms common to conjunctivitis. Bacterial and viral infections can also be the causes of conjunctivitis. The viral version is usually related to another bodily infection, such as the common cold or an upper respiratory tract infection. This cause of conjunctivitis is responsible for the common condition known as pink eye. Bacterial causes of conjunctivitis can come from a variety of different strains of bacteria and can result in scarring if not treated properly. What causes conjunctivitis is not limited to the previously mentioned concerns. External factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals. Chemical conjunctivitis is often characterized by its absence of a discharge and the presence of very severe pain.
The different versions of conjunctivitis can usually be avoided if the proper precautions are exercised. With any type, care should be taken to avoid contact with a person who has conjunctivitis. The condition is highly contagious in most cases and will spread with little contact. When dealing with dangerous chemicals, a person should wear safety glasses at all times to prevent accidental conjunctivitis. In allergic cases, a person can have tests done to identify the allergens that cause the specific problems and then avoid those specific allergens. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis may be slightly more difficult to avoid as these infections can stay dormant for 2-3 days before the appearance of conjunctivitis symptoms.
Treatment of what causes conjunctivitis will also depend on what type of conjunctivitis has been encountered. In chemical cases, the offending chemical will need to be thoroughly washed from the eyes. Symptoms of conjunctivitis may remain after the chemical has been removed. In bacterial conjunctivitis, an antibiotic will need to be administered to treat the condition if it does not go away within a few days. The specific strain of bacteria that caused the infection will determine which antibiotic needs to be used. The viral variety of conjunctivitis has no specific treatment for the condition, but relief from the symptoms can be accomplished with the use of cold compresses and artificial tears. The allergic type of conjunctivitis will usually resolve itself within a few days, but antihistamines may be needed if the condition persists beyond this time frame. For all conjunctivitis causes, it is advised to avoid excessive contact with the affected eye as contact can spread the condition to the other eye as well as to other people.