Pinkeye Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Prevent spreading the infection to the other eye and to other people. Pinkeye can be very contagious, so limit your contacts until you are better.

• Carefully wash your hands every time you touch around your eye.
  
  
• Keep your own towels, washcloths, and pillows separate from those of family members or use paper towels.
  
  
• Wash or change your pillowcase every day until the infection goes away.
  
  
• Do not touch your infected eye with your fingers. Use tissues to wipe.
  
  
• Do not wear eye makeup. Do not share eye makeup.
  
  
• Do not wear your contact lenses until the infection is gone.
  
  
• Put a warm compress, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water, on your eye for a few minutes, three to four times a day. This eases the discomfort and helps break up some of the crust that may form on your eyelashes.
  
  
• Use over-the-counter artificial tears to help with itching and irritation. Do not share eyedrops. You can spread the infection to anyone else who uses them.
  
  
• Do not put a patch over your eye. It may cause the infection to become worse.
  
  
• Do not use over-the-counter eyedrops for more than a few days unless instructed to do so by your ophthalmologist. Worsening redness could result from repeated use of such products.