When you think of summer, your first thoughts are probably crashing waves, refreshing beverages, and spending time soaking up the sun! But while we’re relaxing and having fun, bacteria thrive in the heat, planning ways to ruin your summer.
One of the most common summertime bacterial plagues is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is a prevalent infection caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants that make their way into the inner surface of the eye. Although this infection is common, that doesn’t make it any less annoying. That’s why your McAllen pharmacy would like to share tips to keep you and your loved ones safe from pink eye this summer.
Tips to Prevent Catching and Spreading Pink Eye
Pink eye is notorious for spreading like wildfire: one minute, you’re okay, and the next, your eyes are burning, producing disgusting discharge, and forming a crust around your eyelids. Here are a few ways to prevent pink eye and discomfort in your eyes this summer:
- Wash your hands. This one’s important: regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes. You wouldn’t believe the number of bacteria on your hands.
- Wash your pillowcases often. You use them for about 8 hours out of your day. You wouldn’t reuse underwear without washing them first.
- Hot water and detergent. Whether it’s bed linens, towels, or PILLOWCASES, warm water is the best way to clean them.
- They’re called PERSONAL eye care items for a reason. Avoid sharing eye care items and eye cosmetics.
- A clear eyeglass is a clean eyeglass. Clean your glasses so good you forget you have them on.
- Never reuse daily contact lenses. Daily disposable contact lenses; it’s kind of in the name.
- Keep your contact lenses well maintained. Since we’re on the subject, there are instructions on cleaning, storing, and replacing contacts on the box.
- Avoid swimming pools. It’s a shared pool, so avoid sharing the infection by not taking part in splashing around.
- Visit your doctor. Your physician can determine what’s irritating and if it’s contagious.
Tips to Avoid Being Reinfected
Do you know what’s worse than catching pink eye once? Spreading pink eye to both eyes. Follow the tips below to avoid spreading your pink eye or contracting it more than once:
- Bye-bye, eye shadow. Get rid of any makeup you used while you were infected.
- Dump out the old solution. Do you know what’s floating around in that solution? Whatever it is, it’s not clean anymore, so get rid of it.
- Disposable contacts. While you’re at it, get rid of the disposable contact you used, too, just to be on the safe side.
- Extended eye-wear contacts and glasses. Properly clean extended eye-wear contacts and glasses as instructed by your doctor.
Protect Yourself and Others From Pink Eye This Summer By Visiting a Drugstore Near You
As we mentioned earlier, conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Blink, and you just might catch it. This summer vacation, follow these tips provided by your McAllen Pharmacists to avoid catching pink eye and enjoy fun in the sun instead.
While pink eye is typically just irritating and easy to treat in two weeks, it can lead to permanent vision damage on rare occasions. Visit Saenz pharmacy for over-the-counter medication to effectively treat conjunctivitis and avoid long-term effects.