Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

The other night, a mother reached out to me over video. Her child’s eye had suddenly turned red and swollen. There was some discharge. There was uncertainty. She wasn’t panicking—but she needed answers. What followed was a conversation I’ve had many times, and still, each time, it matters just as much.

There are generally three types of conjunctivitis (or “pink eye”), and they each require a different approach.

-Allergic conjunctivitis: Usually itchy. Often tied to environmental triggers.
-Viral: Tends to follow a cold or other upper respiratory symptoms.
-Bacterial: The classic “pink eye”—with or without discharge, more likely to have discomfort or pain, than itchiness.

In this case, what I saw looked like allergic conjunctivitis. The outer part of the eye was red, not just the inside. There was discomfort, not illness. And the child had been rubbing her eyes all day, which only made things worse.

I recommended over-the-counter oral and antihistamine drops. I suggested cool compresses. I reminded her to trim fingernails—because it’s often the small, overlooked details that carry the greatest risks. If things didn’t improve, I had a prescription ready. And more importantly, she knew what to watch for.

This is what pediatric care looks like in real time: listening, evaluating, and responding without delay.

I want you to know that I am always here for moments like that. When something doesn’t feel right but you’re not sure if it’s serious. When you need clarity—not panic, not guesswork.

Whether it’s the eye, the cough, the behavior that’s off—don’t wait. Just reach out.