Can I Touch My Pink Eye?
No, you should not touch your pink eye.
Touching your eyes, especially with unclean hands, is a primary way pink eye (conjunctivitis) spreads. Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the inside of your eyelids and covering the white part of your eye. This means that touching your eye with contaminated hands can easily transfer bacteria or viruses, worsening the infection or causing re-infection. Several sources confirm this:
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that viruses causing pink eye can live on surfaces like doorknobs and towels, and touching these surfaces then touching your eye can spread the infection.[1]
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that pink eye spreads easily when you rub your eyes and don't wash your hands afterward.[2]
- Multiple sources including the National Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic all strongly advise against touching your eyes, especially when dealing with pink eye. They emphasize the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection.[3,4,5]
Preventing the Spread of Pink Eye
Instead of touching your eyes, follow these guidelines:
- Wash your hands frequently: Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face: This includes your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean any discharge: Gently wash any eye discharge with a clean, wet washcloth or cotton ball several times a day. Discard used cotton balls immediately.[6]
- Don't share personal items: This includes towels, eye makeup, and other items that might come into contact with your eyes.[7]
By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the spread of pink eye and promote faster healing.
References:
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pink Eye Myths and Facts. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/pink-eye-myths-facts-conjunctivitis
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pink Eye: Causes and How It Spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/causes/index.html
[3] National Eye Institute. Pink Eye. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/pink-eye
[4] Cleveland Clinic. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
[5] Mayo Clinic. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) - Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355
[6] Reference from original prompt: Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with your fingers. With clean hands, wash any discharge from around your eyes several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or fresh cotton ball. Throw away cotton balls after use.
[7] Multiple references including Cleveland Clinic and others.
