Conjunctivitis: Red Eyes? A Guide to Act Fast and Prevent Contagion 👁️🚫

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1. How to Know if It's Conjunctivitis? (Key Symptoms)

• Redness in the white part of the eye.
• Yellow or greenish discharge (typical of bacterial conjunctivitis).
• Constant itching or burning.
• Excessive tearing and light sensitivity.

2. What to Do if You Think You Have It?

• Gentle cleaning: Use sterile gauze pads and saline solution. Always clean from the inside (tear duct) outward, and never use the same gauze for both eyes.
• Don't rub your eyes: This only worsens inflammation and helps spread the virus or bacteria from one eye to the other or onto surfaces.
• Consult your pharmacist or doctor: We can help you determine whether it's allergic (very itchy), viral (lots of tearing) or bacterial (lots of discharge) to apply the correct treatment.

3. Anti-Contagion Protocol: Protect Your Loved Ones 🛡️

Conjunctivitis "flies". To avoid spreading it to family or coworkers, follow these 4 golden rules:

• Constant handwashing: This is measure number one. Before and after touching your eyes or using drops.
• Individual towels: Use an exclusive towel for your face and change it daily. Even better: use disposable paper tissues.
• Change your pillowcase: Do this daily for the duration of the infection.
• Don't share anything: No makeup, no drops, no contact lenses, no glasses.

💧 Farmacia 73 Recommendations

• Comfort drops: Preservative-free artificial tears to relieve dryness and irritation.
• Periocular Hygiene: Sterile cleansing wipes infused with soothing substances (such as chamomile or eyebright).
• Internal support (Nutritional Therapy): Ergybiol (Nutergia): To strengthen the immune system and help the body fight the infection more quickly.

📸 Infographic Title: "Stop the Spread: The 4 DON'Ts of Conjunctivitis"

1. 🚫 DON'T Rub Your Eyes

• Icon: A hand approaching an eye with a red prohibition sign.
• Short text: Rubbing spreads bacteria from one eye to the other and to your hands. If it itches, apply a cold compress or saline solution.

2. 🚫 DON'T Share Towels

• Short text: The virus "lives" on fabric. Use individual towels or, even better, single-use paper tissues to dry your face.

3. 🚫 DON'T Use the Same Gauze

• Short text: Always clean from the tear duct outward. Use a new sterile gauze for each eye to avoid "cross-contamination".

4. 🚫 DON'T Wear Contact Lenses

• Short text: Until your eye is white and discharge-free, switch to glasses. Lenses can retain the infection and make it chronic.

⭐ Farmacia 73 Tip

"Wash your hands before and after applying eye drops!" 🧼🧴

🧐 Quiz: What Type of Conjunctivitis Could You Have?

Question 1: How did you wake up this morning?

• A) With my eyes "glued" shut by thick, yellowish discharge.
• B) With very watery eyes and a little white or clear discharge.
• C) With very red eyes and unbearable itching, but no discharge.

Question 2: Do you have any other symptoms besides redness?

• A) No, just discomfort and discharge in the eye.
• B) Yes, I have a slight cold, sore throat, or a mild fever.
• C) Yes, I have sneezing, a stuffy nose, or watery discharge (like water).

Question 3: Is it in one eye or both?

• A) It started in one and seems to be spreading to the other.
• B) It usually starts in one and quickly moves to the other.
• C) It affects both at the same time from the very beginning.

📊 Results Based on Answers

• Mostly A: Probable Bacterial Conjunctivitis. Advice: You need strict hygiene and, most likely, an antibiotic eye drop prescribed by your doctor. Come to the pharmacy and we'll help with the cleaning.
• Mostly B: Probable Viral Conjunctivitis. Advice: This is the most contagious type! The best approach is cleaning with saline and using artificial tears for comfort. Be patient — it usually lasts one to two weeks.
• Mostly C: Probable Allergic Conjunctivitis. Advice: It's not contagious. You need an antihistamine (in drops or tablets) and should avoid the allergen (dust, pollen, animal hair).