How Do I Treat Pink Eye In Children? 8 Pediatrician-Recommended Steps

How Do I Treat Pink Eye In Children? 8 Pediatrician-Recommended Steps for 2026

The short answer: Treatment for pink eye in children depends on the cause. Bacterial pink eye typically requires prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Viral pink eye usually resolves on its own with supportive care. Allergic pink eye is managed by removing the allergen and using appropriate medications. In all cases, good hygiene, gentle eye cleaning, and warm compresses help relieve your child’s discomfort. When in doubt, always contact your pediatrician.

Pink eye is one of the most common childhood eye conditions parents deal with. You have probably noticed your child waking up with a crusty, red, goopy eye and wondered exactly what to do. You are not alone. Conjunctivitis, the medical term for pink eye, affects millions of children every year. It is uncomfortable, it looks alarming, and it spreads quickly in schools and daycares.

The good news is that most cases of pink eye in children are treatable and manageable. The key is knowing what type your child has and responding appropriately. At Idaho Falls Pediatrics, our board-certified pediatricians help families navigate exactly this kind of situation every day.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know, including 8 clear, pediatrician-recommended steps for treating pink eye in children.

What Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. When it becomes irritated or infected, the blood vessels in the eye swell and become more visible. That is what causes the signature red or pink color.

Pink eye in children can be caused by several different things. The treatment plan changes depending on the cause.

The 3 Types of Pink Eye in Children

Understanding the type of conjunctivitis your child has is the most important first step. Here is a clear breakdown:

1. Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial pink eye is caused by bacteria such as:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Moraxella catarrhalis

This type tends to produce thick yellow or green discharge. It often causes the eyelids to stick together in the morning. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious and usually requires antibiotic treatment.

2. Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral pink eye is the most common form. It is frequently caused by adenoviruses, though it can also be associated with other viral infections like the common cold or influenza. Viral pink eye usually produces a watery, clear, or slightly white discharge. It can affect one or both eyes. This form is also highly contagious but typically clears on its own without antibiotics.

3. Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic pink eye is not contagious. It results from exposure to allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold, or dust mites, typically affects both eyes simultaneously and causes significant itching. It may appear alongside other allergy symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing.

How to Tell the Difference

If you are unsure which type your child has, use our Symptom Checker or call our office for guidance.

8 Pediatrician-Recommended Steps to Treat Pink Eye in Children

Step 1: Identify the Type of Pink Eye

Before you treat anything, you need to determine whether your child’s pink eye is bacterial, viral, or allergic. This step shapes every decision that follows.

Look closely at the discharge, ask yourself if your child has recently had a cold, and consider whether allergy season is in full swing.

When you are not sure, contact your pediatric provider at Idaho Falls Pediatrics. Getting the correct diagnosis early prevents unnecessary antibiotic use and helps your child recover faster.

Step 2: Wash Hands Frequently and Thoroughly

This is the single most effective way to prevent pink eye from spreading. Conjunctivitis, particularly bacterial and viral forms, is extremely contagious. It spreads through direct contact with eye secretions or through touching contaminated surfaces.

Teach your child to:

• Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water
• Avoid rubbing or touching their eyes
• Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, or pillowcases
• Avoid sharing eye makeup, glasses, or contact lenses

Adults caring for a child with pink eye must also wash their hands before and after administering any eye drops or cleaning the eye.

Step 3: Gently Clean the Eye

Crusty discharge around the eye can be uncomfortable and irritating. You can safely clean it at home.

Here is how to do it properly:

• Use a clean, soft cloth or sterile gauze pad
• Dampen it with warm, clean water
• Gently wipe from the inner corner of the eye outward (from the nose side toward the ear)
• Use a fresh cloth or gauze for each wipe
• Never wipe back and forth, as this can reintroduce bacteria or debris
• Use a separate cloth for each eye if both are affected

Cleaning the eye regularly keeps your child more comfortable and reduces the risk of secondary skin irritation from the discharge.

Step 4: Apply a Warm Compress

A warm compress is one of the simplest and most effective comfort measures for pink eye in children. It helps loosen crusted discharge, soothes irritated tissue, and provides your child with real relief.

To apply a warm compress:

• Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water
• Wring it out so it is damp but not dripping
• Hold it gently against your child’s closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes
• Repeat several times per day as needed
• Always use a clean cloth to avoid reinfection

This step works well for all three types of conjunctivitis. It is safe, effective, and easy for children to tolerate.

Step 5: Use Prescription Antibiotic Eye Drops or Ointment (For Bacterial Pink Eye)

If your child has bacterial conjunctivitis, your pediatrician will likely prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Common options include:

• Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (often used for infants and young children)
• Polymyxin B/trimethoprim drops (Polytrim)
• Azithromycin ophthalmic solution
• Tobramycin drops

It is important to follow the full course of antibiotics, even if your child’s eyes look better after a day or two. Stopping early can allow bacteria to persist.

Tips for giving eye drops to children:

• Have your child lie down and tilt their head back
• Gently pull the lower eyelid down to create a small pocket
• Place the correct number of drops into that lower eyelid pocket
• Ask your child to close their eyes gently for one to two minutes
• Praise and encourage them to make it easier next time

For ointment, apply a small ribbon along the inside of the lower eyelid. Vision may temporarily blur after ointment application. This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Do not use leftover antibiotic eye drops from a previous prescription. Always get a fresh prescription for each new episode of pink eye.

Step 6: Manage Symptoms With Supportive Care (For Viral and Allergic Pink Eye)

Viral pink eye does not respond to antibiotics. The treatment focus is on keeping your child comfortable while the immune system does its work. Most viral cases resolve within 7 to 14 days.

Supportive care for viral conjunctivitis includes:

• Warm or cool compresses to soothe the eye
• Preservative-free artificial tear eye drops to reduce dryness and irritation
• Keeping the eye clean as described in Step 3
• Keeping your child well hydrated and rested

For allergic conjunctivitis, the approach shifts toward reducing allergen exposure and managing inflammation:

• Remove your child from the allergen source whenever possible
• Rinse your child’s face and eyes with clean water after outdoor exposure
• Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops such as ketotifen (Zaditor, Alaway) can help reduce itching for older children
• Oral antihistamines may also be recommended by your pediatrician for broader allergy relief
• In more persistent cases, your provider may prescribe prescription-strength antihistamine or mast cell stabilizer eye drops

Always confirm which OTC remedies are appropriate for your child’s age before using them. Our providers at Idaho Falls Pediatrics can help you choose the safest option for your child’s specific situation.

Step 7: Keep Your Child Home and Prevent Spread

Pink eye spreads quickly, especially in school and daycare settings. Most schools and daycares require children with conjunctivitis to stay home until they are no longer contagious.

General guidelines for return to school or daycare:

• Bacterial pink eye: Most children can return 24 hours after starting antibiotics, provided symptoms are improving.
• Viral pink eye: Children should typically stay home until significant discharge has resolved, which can take several days.
• Allergic pink eye: No exclusion is necessary since it is not contagious.

Additional steps to prevent spreading pink eye at home:

• Wash pillowcases, towels, and washcloths daily in hot water
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, and countertops
• Throw away and replace any eye cosmetics used around the time of infection
• If your child wears contact lenses, stop wearing them until the infection fully clears

Step 8: Know When to Call Your Pediatrician

Not all cases of pink eye are straightforward. There are situations where you should contact your child’s pediatrician right away rather than waiting it out at home.

Call your pediatrician promptly if your child experiences:

• Pink eye in an infant younger than one month old
• Severe eye pain or significant sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Swelling, redness, or warmth of the eyelid itself (this could indicate periorbital or orbital cellulitis, a more serious infection)
• Significant vision changes or blurred vision that does not clear
• Symptoms that worsen after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment
• No improvement after 7 days of any treatment
• Pink eye that keeps coming back

Some conditions that look like pink eye are actually something more serious. A pediatrician has the training to distinguish conjunctivitis from a corneal abrasion, foreign body in the eye, iritis, or other conditions that need specialized care. If you ever feel uncertain, err on the side of calling your provider.

You can reach our team at any of our Idaho Falls Pediatrics locations, including our Eagle Drive, Pancheri, and Rexburg offices.

When Is Pink Eye an Emergency?

Most cases of pink eye are not emergencies. However, take your child to an emergency room or call 911 if they experience:

• Sudden vision loss
• Severe eye pain that is not relieved by any measure
• A known chemical splash or injury to the eye
• A protruding or swollen eye that appears pushed forward

These signs suggest a more serious underlying condition that requires immediate evaluation.

Pink Eye and Newborns: A Special Note

Conjunctivitis in newborns (also called neonatal conjunctivitis or ophthalmia neonatorum) is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Newborns can develop eye infections from bacteria acquired during birth, including gonorrhea or chlamydia. If your newborn shows any signs of eye redness or discharge in the first four weeks of life, contact your pediatrician or seek emergency care right away.

Can You Prevent Pink Eye in Children?

You cannot prevent every case, but you can significantly reduce your child’s risk. Teach these habits early:

• Regular handwashing, especially before touching the face or eyes
• Not sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, and pillowcases
• Staying current on vaccinations, as some illnesses associated with viral conjunctivitis are vaccine-preventable

If your child has seasonal allergies, working with your pediatrician to develop a long-term allergy management plan can help reduce episodes of allergic conjunctivitis. Learn more about the value of having a trusted partner in your child’s care by visiting our Why a Pediatrician page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pink Eye in Children

How long does pink eye last in children?

Bacterial conjunctivitis typically improves within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotics and fully clears within 7 to 10 days. Viral pink eye usually resolves on its own in 7 to 14 days. Allergic conjunctivitis can persist as long as the allergen is present.

Is pink eye always contagious?

No. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious at all. Bacterial and viral forms are both highly contagious through direct contact with eye secretions and contaminated surfaces.

Can my child go to school with pink eye?

It depends on the type. Most schools require children with bacterial or viral pink eye to stay home until symptoms improve and, in the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, until at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.

Do I always need to see a doctor for pink eye?

You should always contact your pediatrician if your child is an infant, if symptoms are severe, or if you are unsure of the type. Mild viral or allergic pink eye in older children can sometimes be managed at home, but your provider should still be consulted, especially before administering any medication.

Can pink eye spread to the other eye?

Yes. Bacterial and viral pink eye frequently spread from one eye to the other if proper hygiene is not maintained. Always clean each eye with a separate cloth and wash your hands before and after touching either eye.

Are antibiotic eye drops always necessary?

No. Antibiotic eye drops are only effective against bacterial conjunctivitis. Using them for viral or allergic pink eye will not help and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Your pediatrician will help determine whether antibiotics are appropriate.

What if my child refuses eye drops?

This is very common. Talk to your pediatrician about whether an ointment might be easier to administer. You can also try having your child close their eyes while you place the drops in the inner corner of the eye. The drops will enter the eye naturally when your child blinks.

Is pink eye related to ear infections in children?

Yes, in some cases. Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae is sometimes associated with acute otitis media (a middle ear infection). If your child has pink eye along with ear pain or pulling at their ear, be sure to mention both symptoms to your pediatrician.

Trust Idaho Falls Pediatrics With Your Child’s Eye Health

At Idaho Falls Pediatrics, we know that a crusty, red eye on your child is stressful. You want answers quickly, and you want to make sure you are doing the right thing. Our board-certified pediatricians are here to help you navigate pink eye and every other health challenge your child faces.

We offer same-day appointments when available and serve families across Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Rexburg. You can reach all three of our offices by calling (208) 522-4600. Or contact us online to schedule your child’s visit.

You do not have to figure this out alone. We are here for your family at every stage.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed, board-certified pediatrician regarding your child’s specific health needs and conditions.