Children's Health Q&A by Dr. Phillips While there are a variety
of causes of "pink eyes" (allergy, viruses, and irritation from
smoke, smog, dust, etc., just to name a few), most doctors,
parents, and daycare/school teachers use the term "pink eye" to
refer to infectious (contagious) bacterial infection of the
conjunctivae (the membranes lining the inside of the eyelids and
eyeball). It is one of the leading causes of "being sent home
from daycare/school" and for good reason. The bacteria are right
there on the outside of the body and are readily spread to toys
and others by the rubbing hands of the child and the cleaning
hands of the caretaker. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with
a prescription topical antibiotic (in drop or ointment form),
and the child generally can return to school the day after
beginning the therapy, once improvement is seen. But just a word
of caution: If other symptoms like fever, "runny nose", cough,
and rash also exist, your child may need an oral antibiotic, as
well. Since "pin