Can conjunctivitis be treated with warm compresses?

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

Conjunctivitis can be treated with warm compresses. If the eye pain is due to an infection, warm compresses can soothe the eyes and reduce redness and discomfort. However, it is important to note that a wet, warm towel can cause the infection to spread from one eye to the other. Therefore, remember to use different towels for each eye, and ensure that the towel is clean before each application. When cleaning the eyes, remember to wipe from the inside out, starting from the side closest to the nose and moving outward. Always use a clean side of the towel for each wipe to ensure that any removed secretions do not get wiped back into the eye.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qing
Ophthalmology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Conjunctivitis symptoms

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation that occurs in the thin layer of structure on the surface of the white eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis can be caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, fungi, parasites, etc., and by environmental factors like sand, smoke, ultraviolet exposure, and chemical injuries from acids, alkalis, or toxic gases. It can also be an inflammatory response of the conjunctiva due to allergic or systemic diseases including tuberculosis, syphilis, thyroid disorders, or surrounding tissues of the eye such as the cornea, sclera, eyelids, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include red eyes, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, burning, itching, photophobia (sensitivity to light), tearing, and increased discharge. Sometimes it can also cause eye pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
32sec home-news-image

How long is the incubation period for conjunctivitis?

Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by gonococci or meningococci, is characterized by a short incubation period of 10 hours to two to three days, with rapid disease progression. Acute or subacute bacterial conjunctivitis, also known as acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, has a sudden onset with an incubation period of one to three days, affecting both eyes either simultaneously or one to two days apart.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
34sec home-news-image

How many days can conjunctivitis heal?

Conjunctivitis can be categorized by the speed of onset into hyperacute, subacute, acute, and chronic types. It can also be classified by severity into mild, moderate, and severe. Acute conjunctivitis usually is self-limiting, with the condition lasting about two weeks. Effective localized treatment and administration of sensitive antibiotics can lead to recovery within a few days. In contrast, chronic conjunctivitis is not self-limiting and is more challenging to treat.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
35sec home-news-image

Precautions for Conjunctivitis

For conjunctivitis, strict attention must be paid to personal and public hygiene. Second, patients in the acute phase need to be isolated to avoid contagion and prevent an epidemic. Third, strict disinfection is required for face-washing items, towels, and medical instruments that have been used by the patient. Fourth, medical staff must wash and disinfect their hands after contact with patients to prevent cross-infection. Fifth, newborns should routinely be given antibiotic eye drops immediately after birth.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
45sec home-news-image

Does conjunctivitis require infusion?

Generally, conjunctivitis does not require intravenous treatment. Treatment primarily focuses on targeting the cause and applying local medications, with systemic medication used when necessary. During the acute phase, it is crucial to avoid bandaging the affected eye. The most basic method of administering medication for conjunctivitis is through eye drops, along with the application of eye ointment before sleep. When there is substantial secretion in the conjunctival sac, it needs to be flushed. In severe cases of conjunctivitis, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis, systemic antibiotics are required in addition to local medications.