Conjunctivitis causes the membrane around the eye to swell. Patients may experience a watery discharge, red eyes, blurred vision, pain in the eye area and sensitivity to light. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated by removing the allergen. Viral conjunctivitis must run its course, but bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibacterial eye drops. 

Pinkeye is spread to other people when they come in contact with the eye drainage. The drainage is infected with the virus or bacteria that caused the pinkeye. When the patient touches or rubs their eye, the virus or bacteria can be transferred. When the person touches another person or object, the infection is spread. 

Allergic conjunctivitis can be prevented by avoiding the allergen. This is not always possible, and you may not know what allergen you were exposed to. If it happens frequently, you may want to start keeping track of where you were and what you may have been exposed to and try to find a pattern.

Since conjunctivitis is highly contagious, you should always take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. The following suggestions will help you prevent pink eye, and should be practiced even if you haven't been exposed to someone with pink eye.

Never use anyone else's eye makeup, including eye shadow, eye liner and mascara. If you have a pink eye infection, do not use any eye makeup until the conjunctivitis has been treated and is no longer present. If you used any eye makeup as the infection was developing, throw away the makeup and thoroughly clean or throw away eye makeup brushes. The virus can live in the makeup or brushes and reinfect your eyes. 

Never share contact lens solution, containers or other accessories with anyone. Do not use another person's pillows, towels or tissues with anyone. Use clean towels and linens every day. Wear safety glasses when handling chemicals or when in the extreme heat, cold or wind. 

Wash your hands before touching your eye area, even if you have no reason to suspect a pink eye infection. Do not rub your eyes or touch your eyes after being around someone with conjunctivitis or touching objects in public. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before applying makeup, inserting contact lenses or using eye drops.

If someone in the household has been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, it is essential that everyone wash their hands regularly throughout the day. Wash with warm water and soap and towel dry hands to kill the bacteria or virus. Linens and towels should be washed after every use with hot water and bleach, if possible. Wash hands thoroughly after touching any infected towels or sheets. Avoid touching the eye area unless absolutely necessary.