Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, affects millions of people every year, many of them children. While pink eye can happen at any time of year, it tends to develop more frequently during the summer months, particularly among kids who spend a lot of time in swimming pools. The germs that cause pink eye can spread more easily in pool water.
At ABC Children's Eye Specialists, our team offers comprehensive treatment for conjunctivitis, as well as strategies for avoiding infections in the future. This month, learn seven simple steps you can take to help your child avoid getting, or spreading, pink eye while swimming this summer.
This one might seem obvious, but it bears reviewing: If your child has been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, they should stay out of the pool until they’ve been cleared by a doctor to avoid spreading the infection to others.
If your child has symptoms of pink eye — like redness, itching, or irritation — but they haven’t seen a doctor, it’s still a good idea to keep them out of the water until they visit our team, not only to protect others’ eyes, but to protect their own, as well.
Sharing items like towels, washcloths, goggles, or swim masks can transfer bacteria and viruses from infected eyes to uninfected eyes.
Make sure your child uses their own towels and swimming gear, and always wash towels, washcloths, and swimming gear after every use and let them dry thoroughly. Store swimming gear in a dry area with good air circulation.
Goggles protect your child’s eyes from chlorine and other irritating chemicals, and they also prevent contaminated water from making contact with your child’s eyes. When selecting swimming goggles or a swimming mask, be sure the goggles fit snugly and form a good seal around your child’s eyes.
Make sure your child washes their hands and face before and after swimming to avoid transferring germs from their hands or face to their eyes. It’s also a good idea to shower or at least rinse off before and after swimming to remove contaminants and bacteria that could cause infection.
Contact lenses can help your child feel more confident, but they can also trap germs and increase the risk of infections. Have your child remove their lenses prior to swimming, and opt for prescription goggles, instead.
When eyes are itchy or irritated, it can be really tempting to rub them. But doing so can transfer bacteria from your child’s hands to their eyes, leading to infection. Rubbing too hard can even damage your child’s sensitive corneas.
If your child is tempted to rub their eyes, have them rinse their eyes with clean water or saline. If itching or irritation persists, bring them in for an evaluation so we can check for infections or other possible causes.
You can also reduce the risk of conjunctivitis and other infections by avoiding swimming pools that look cloudy or “greenish” or have visible debris. While you might think over-chlorinating a pool helps kill germs, too much chlorine can irritate eyes and make them more susceptible to infections, so you should also avoid pools that smell strongly of chlorine.
Conjunctivitis isn’t just uncomfortable. Without prompt treatment, it can cause more serious problems that may affect your child’s eyesight. If your child has pink eye symptoms, call our offices to request an appointment with the team at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists in Phoenix, Avondale, Sun City, Gilbert, and Mesa, Arizona, today.
