conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an infection of the thin conjunctival layer that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the undersides of the eyes. It is typically caused by a bacterial, viral, or allergic reaction. Symptoms include erythema (redness), itching, tearing, and a thick, adherent discharge. Conjunctivitis can be categorised into several types, including viral, bacterial, allergic, toxic, and idiopathic.
On the other hand, a sty is a bump that forms at the base of an eyelash or within the eyelid due to an infection of the oil-producing meibomian gland. It is caused by staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly found on the skin and in the nostrils. Symptoms of a sty include a red, painful lump on the eyelid, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes purulent (pus-filled) discharge.
The key differences between conjunctivitis and stye are:
- Location of the infection: While both affect the conjunctiva, conjunctivitis affects the entire layer of the conjunctiva, while a sty is confined to the gland or its immediate vicinity.
- Appearance of the lesion: A sty presents as a red, painful lump on the eyelid, often close to the lash line, while conjunctivitis causes redness and inflammation across the entire conjunctiva, sometimes causing swelling and tenderness.
- Duration of the condition: Usually, a sty resolves within a few days to a week, whereas conjunctivitis may take several weeks to resolve, depending on the underlying cause.
- Mode of transmission: Conjunctivitis is usually contagious and can spread through contact, while styes are not传染性。
- Treatment: Conjunctivitis is typically treated with抗生素滴眼液或眼膏、抗组胺药、人工泪液等药物治疗。而癢通常无需治疗，可以在几天到几周内自行消退；如果癢不改善或恶化，应及时就医寻求专业医疗建议。
预防方面，保持眼部卫生是预防两者感染的关键，包括经常洗手、避免用手揉眼睛、妥善清洁眼影卸妆产品、避免长时间佩戴隐形眼镜等。此外，定期眼科检查也有助于及早发现并处理这些问题。
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