Pink Eye, Explained: A Parent's Guide to Conjunctivitis
Oct 5, 2026
Your child wakes up with one eye red, watery, and crusted at the lashes. It is 6:45 a.m., school starts in an hour, and you are wondering whether this is pink eye.
It probably is, and it is rarely serious. Here is what to know, what to watch for, and when your child can go back to class.
What is it?
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. That is the thin, clear tissue covering the white of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelid.
When it is irritated, its tiny blood vessels swell and become visible, which turns the eye pink or red. Children may also have tearing, discharge, crusted lashes, itching, or a gritty feeling, as if something is in the eye.
How is it spread, and how can you limit it?
Infectious pink eye travels mostly on hands. A child rubs an infected eye, touches a toy, a doorknob, or a sibling, and the germs reach the next pair of eyes. It can also spread through coughs and sneezes, since the same viruses often cause colds.
To keep it from moving through the household:
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching the eyes or applying drops.
• Give your child their own towel, washcloth, and pillowcase, and launder them in hot water.
• Wipe down high-touch surfaces such as faucet handles, tablets, remotes, and shared toys.
• Clean discharge with a fresh cotton pad or tissue each time, then throw it away.
• Discourage eye rubbing, and do not share eye drops, eye makeup, or goggles.
• Pause contact lens wear in older children and teens until the eye has cleared.
How contagious is it?
Viral and bacterial pink eye are very contagious. Allergic and irritant pink eye are not contagious at all.
A child with viral pink eye can pass it on for as long as the eye is red and tearing. That is often one to two weeks, and some viruses, such as adenovirus, can linger longer. Bacterial pink eye generally stops being contagious once antibiotic drops are started or the symptoms have cleared.
It helps to think of pink eye the way pediatricians think of the common cold. It spreads easily among children, and it usually resolves on its own.
What can cause it?
Pink eye has four main causes, and only the first two are infections.
• Viruses. Usually the same ones behind colds and sore throats, most often adenovirus.
• Bacteria. More common in children than adults, most frequent from December through April, and sometimes paired with an ear infection.
• Allergens. Pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander, especially in children with hay fever, asthma, or eczema.
• Irritants. Pool chlorine, smoke, a stray eyelash, or contact lenses worn too long.
In newborns, a red or watery eye can also come from a blocked tear duct or an infection picked up at birth.
Bacterial, viral, or allergic: how to tell the difference
The discharge and the itch are the two best clues. Thick yellow-green discharge points to bacteria, watery eyes with a cold point to a virus, and intense itching in both eyes points to allergies.
| Viral | Bacterial | Allergic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge | Watery and clear | Thick, yellow or green; lids may be stuck shut on waking | Watery or stringy, clear |
| Which eye | Often starts in one, may spread to the other | One or both | Almost always both |
| How it feels | Gritty, burning, sometimes light-sensitive | Sore, irritated | Very itchy |
| Often comes with | A cold, sore throat, or fever | An ear infection | Sneezing, runny nose, seasonal flare |
| Contagious | Yes | Yes | No |
| Typical care | Cool compresses, lubricating drops, and time; usually clears in 7 to 14 days | Antibiotic drops or ointment when needed; mild cases often clear in 2 to 5 days | Allergy eye drops or antihistamines, and avoiding the trigger |
These signs overlap, and even experienced clinicians cannot always tell by a glance. Antibiotics do nothing for viral or allergic pink eye, so a proper exam saves your child from drops they do not need.
When to see a doctor
Many mild cases can be managed at home with cool compresses and gentle cleaning. Have your child seen if you notice any of the following:
• Eye pain, rather than simple irritation
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision that does not clear when discharge is wiped away
• Intense redness, or swelling and redness of the eyelid or skin around the eye
• Thick discharge that keeps returning through the day
• Symptoms that are worsening, or not improving after a few days
• No improvement after 24 hours of antibiotic drops
• A weakened immune system, or contact lens wear
• A possible injury or chemical splash to the eye
Newborns are the exception to watchful waiting. Any baby under one month with a red eye or eye discharge should be seen right away.
An exam is also worthwhile when you simply need an answer: which type it is, whether drops will help, and whether school is an option tomorrow.
When can my child return to school?
Most children can go back once they have no fever, feel well enough to take part in the day, and meet their school's own policy. The details depend on the type.
• Bacterial. Many schools and childcare centers ask for 24 hours of antibiotic drops before a child returns.
• Viral. No medication shortens it. Children can return when they feel well and the tearing and discharge have settled. Younger children in close-contact settings may need a few extra days at home.
• Allergic or irritant. Not contagious, so your child can return as soon as they are comfortable.
Policies vary widely among schools and childcare centers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and some require a clinician's note. Check your school's handbook, and ask us for a return-to-school note at your visit.
Mama Medics comes to you
A child with pink eye does not belong in a waiting room, and neither do you. Mama Medics brings pediatric urgent care to your home anywhere in the DMV. We examine your child where they are most comfortable, start treatment on the spot when it is needed, and leave you with a clear plan for school.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an exam by your child's clinician. If your child has severe eye pain, a change in vision, or an eye injury, seek care immediately.
Sources
• About Pink Eye, CDC
• Pink Eye: Causes and How It Spreads, CDC
• How to Treat Pink Eye, CDC
• Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis), American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
