The main danger with sharing makeup is passing on an infection like viral conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Exposure to even a small amount of virus can lead to a very uncomfortable infection.
Throw away and replace any eye or face makeup you used while infected. Replace contact lens solutions that you used while your eyes were infected. Throw away disposable contact lenses and cases that were used while your eyes were infected.
Pink eye is common, and some types of pink eye spread very easily. You can keep from spreading it to other people by washing your hands often and not sharing items like pillowcases, towels, or makeup.
Symptoms include red and inflamed eyes, swollen eyelids, sensitivity to bright light, and pus inside the eye. In most cases, eye infections can be quickly and effectively treated by your doctor. In very rare cases, eye infections from eye makeup can be severe and even lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
It happens mostly to people who wear contact lenses but can also happen if you have an artificial eye or stitches in your eye.
Pink eye has several causes. Bacteria: Bacteria can be transferred to one or both eyes through physical contact, poor hygiene (touching eyes with unclean hands), or use of contaminated makeup or face lotions.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, usually given topically as eye drops or ointment, for bacterial pink eye. Antibiotics may help shorten the length of infection, reduce complications, and prevent the spread to others. Antibiotics may be necessary in the following cases: With discharge (pus)
The side effects that come with sleeping in makeup can include itchy, bloodshot eyes, an allergic reaction or even a full-blown infection if you are not careful. Sleeping in eye makeup has also been connected to the development of pink eye in many women.
There are eye conditions with similar symptoms to pink eye. It's common to mistake allergies, styes, iritis, keratitis, and blepharitis for it. They can have different causes and require different treatments. Protect your eye health by setting up an exam with our team.
Viral conjunctivitis
People may use OTC artificial tears 4 times per day . People can look for preservative-free artificial tears, which they may be able to use up to 10 times per day. If the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is causing conjunctivitis, people may use eye drops containing trifluridine (Viroptic).
A subconjunctival hemorrhage often occurs without any obvious harm to your eye. Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye. You don't need to treat it. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it's usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so.
Viral pink eye is most often caused by a common virus called adenovirus, but other viruses can also cause pink eye. If you have viral pink eye, you may also have a cold or sore throat. Bacterial pink eye can be caused by many different types of bacteria.
Use erythromycin eye ointment as directed by your provider. Don't stop using it before you complete treatment, even if you feel better. If you stop using erythromycin eye ointment too soon, your infection might come back or become harder to treat.
Viral pinkeye is like a common cold in the eye. There is no treatment for the virus and usually you just have to let it heal on its own. Viral pink eye should go away within a week or two without treatment.
It is recommended to use spray bottles to apply the disinfectant (1 part bleach to 9 parts cool water; prepared daily) to contaminated surfaces such as door handles or any object the sick individual has touched.
Possible signs of pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Pink eye is the inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball. Typical symptoms include redness and a gritty sensation in your eye, along with itching. Often a discharge forms a crust on your eyelashes during the night.
However, there are several other conditions that may seem like pink eye but are separate issues, such as allergies, dry eye syndrome, COVID-19-related pink eye, iritis, keratitis, a stye, or blepharitis. Getting emergency eye care may be necessary depending on the cause of your reddened eyes.
Similar to pink eye, dacryocystitis can affect babies, children and adults. Like pink eye, symptoms include swollen, red eyes, tearing and discharge from the eye, and even pain in and around the eye. A fever may also develop.
Pinkeye that's caused by bacteria can spread to others as soon as symptoms appear and for as long as there's discharge from the eye — or until 24 hours after antibiotics are started. Conjunctivitis that's caused by a virus is generally contagious before symptoms appear and can remain so as long as the symptoms last.
Artificial tears are often the first OTC treatments recommended by doctors. Preservative-free tears can help reduce eye inflammation and dryness that accompanies pink eye. OTC antihistamine, decongestant and vasoconstrictor eye drops can reduce the redness and irritation of viral pink eye.
I would wait at least two weeks for makeup application but would wait longer if the eye remained red and uncomfortable or if the virus caused inflammation in the cornea. Your eye doctor can tell you what type you had and whether the infection involved your cornea.