Bacterial conjunctivitis (pinkeye) makes the eye itch, irritated, red, and causes a thick, gooey liquid (discharge). It usually gets better quickly when treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. You can keep your child comfortable and help prevent spreading it to other people.

• Use the antibiotic eye drops or ointment prescribed by the health care provider as directed.
• Clean the eyelashes and eyelids gently with warm water and clean cotton balls or gauze when needed.
• If it is soothing to your child, place a cool or warm compress (a clean washcloth soaked in water) on the eye area. Use a fresh washcloth each time and for each eye.
• If your child is uncomfortable, your health care provider may recommend acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR, for children over 6 months, ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin® or a store brand).    
• To help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis to others:
  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water. This is especially important after cleaning or soaking the area around your child's eyes. If soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  • Help your child avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
  • Don't let your child share towels, pillows, eyeglasses or cosmetics.
  • Wash sheets in hot water and detergent. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the dirty laundry.
  • Don't let your child go in swimming pools until symptoms are gone.
• To prevent conjunctivitis from coming back:
  • Your child should not wear contact lenses until all symptoms are gone and the health care provider says it's OK.
  • Throw away any contact lens solution, disposable contact lenses and cases your child used while the eyes were infected. Clean extended-wear contact lenses as directed.
  • Clean all eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases. 
  • Change pillowcases and towels often until symptoms are gone.
  • Throw away all makeup your child used while the eyes were infected.
• After 24 hours of antibiotics, it is usually OK for kids to return to child care, school and other activities. But remember that while there is eye discharge, conjunctivitis can still spread to others.

Your child:

• isn't getting better after 1–2 days of antibiotic treatment
• has more discharge from the eye or the eye gets very red
• has a fever
• has trouble seeing
• is sensitive to light
• has eye pain

• Your child has redness and swelling around the eye.

What is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the conjunctiva, a thin clear layer that covers the white part of the eye and inner eyelids. Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria (a type of germ). When inflamed, the conjunctiva becomes red or pink, which is why the condition is often called "pinkeye."

Kids with bacterial conjunctivitis often have a thick, gooey liquid coming from the eye (discharge). The discharge may be white, yellow, or green. A child may wake up and find the upper and lower eyelid stuck together. The eyes may burn or feel as if there's sand in them. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually happens in one eye only, but can happen in both.

Is bacterial conjunctivitis contagious? Bacterial conjunctivitis is very contagious. It can easily spread from one person to another. This usually happens after someone touches the eye discharge or mucus of an infected person and then touches their own eyes.

How is bacterial conjunctivitis treated? Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. This medicine will help your child feel better faster and help prevent the infection from spreading to others. After antibiotics are started, your child should feel better within a day or two.