There’s a popular myth that farting in someone’s face can cause pink eye. While it’s a funny image, this claim is not true. Farts have no direct role in causing pink eye.
In this article, we’ll uncover the real causes of pink eye, explain why the fart myth persists, and discuss the limited ways farts could be connected to pink eye. You’ll also learn how to prevent pink eye through good hygiene and how to treat it if you become infected. We’ll debunk the fart myth and set the facts straight on this somewhat embarrassing health issue.
What Causes Pink Eye?
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, has three main causes:
#1. Bacterial Infection
A bacterial infection can cause pink eye. Common bacteria that cause pink eye include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria can get in the eye through contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person or by touching the eye with contaminated fingers. Bacterial pink eye causes redness, swelling, discharge, crusting of eyelids or lashes, and burning or itching of the eye. It is very contagious.
#2. Viral Infection
Viruses are another common cause of pink eye. The most prevalent viruses are adenovirus and herpes simplex virus. Viral pink eye is associated with watery discharge, irritation, and light sensitivity. It is contagious but generally spreads less easily than bacterial pink eye. Viral conjunctivitis often accompanies an upper respiratory infection like a cold.
#3. Allergies/Irritants
An infection does not cause allergic conjunctivitis but rather an allergic reaction. Common allergens like pollen, pet dander, makeup, or other irritants trigger the immune system to release histamines that cause itching, redness, and swelling. This non-contagious type of pink eye affects both eyes, and symptoms resemble a cold with sneezing and runny nose. Removing the allergen source and using antihistamines can provide relief.
Pink Eye from A Fart: Why the Myth Persists?
The myth that farts can cause pink eye has persisted for years as a long-held folk belief. On the surface, it sounds plausible – farts come from the same general region as poop, after all. The funny imagery of getting pink eye from a fart likely contributes to the myth’s endurance.
Many people mistakenly conflate farts with feces. While both originate in the digestive system, farts contain gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Feces contain bacteria and viruses that can cause pink eye. However, these disease-causing microbes are not present in flatulence. So while farts may be smelly and unpleasant, they do not directly spread pink eye.
The enduring myth relates to the idea that anything from the nether regions must be unclean. But fart gas itself is sterile. The myth continues mainly because it sounds amusing, not because farts pose any risk for pink eye infection.
Ways You Can Get Pink Eye
Pink eye, known medically as conjunctivitis, is highly contagious and spreads easily through contact. Here are some of the most common ways you can develop pink eye:
- Fecal-Oral Transmission: Pink eye can be caused by bacteria in feces. If you touch a contaminated surface and then rub your eyes without washing your hands thoroughly, you can transfer the bacteria into your eyes and develop an infection.
- Touching Eyes with Dirty Hands: Even if your hands don’t directly touch feces, they still harbor bacteria and viruses from daily activities. Touching your eyes before washing your hands allows germs to enter your eyes and cause an infection.
- Infected Secretions: If someone with bacterial or viral pink eye touches their eyes and then touches them, their infected eye secretions can transfer to your eyes. That is why pink eye spreads rapidly in group settings like schools and daycares.
- Sharing Towels or Pillows: Towels, pillowcases, and bedding used by someone with pink eye can harbor bacteria or viruses. You risk exposure and infection if you share these items before they are washed.
- Sharing Makeup: Makeup tools like eyeliner pencils, mascara wands, and eyeshadow brushes used by someone with pink eye can pick up the infection. Sharing makeup items is an easy way to spread pink eye.
Proper hand hygiene and not touching your eyes are key to avoiding pink eye infection. Awareness of contaminated surfaces and not sharing personal items with infected individuals are important prevention measures. While a fart can’t directly cause pink eye, poor bathroom, and hygiene habits do raise your risk.
Connection Between Farts and Pink Eye
While it’s a common myth that farts can cause pink eye, the reality is that there is no direct connection. Farts do not contain the bacteria that cause pink eye infections.
The only potential association between farting and pink eye is related to hygiene habits in the bathroom. If a person doesn’t wash their hands properly after using the toilet and then rubs their eyes, they could transfer bacteria from their skin to their eyes. However, this risk comes from having unclean hands, not from farting itself.
Proper hand washing with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or before touching your eyes can eliminate any potential risk. As long as you practice good hygiene habits, you cannot get pink eye from farting alone. The methane and hydrogen sulfide gases that makeup farts do not contain pink-eye bacteria.
So, while the imagery of fart-induced pink eye may be humorous, the notion that passing gas can directly cause this irritating eye condition is simply a myth. Maintaining clean hands and not touching your eyes is the best way to avoid contracting bacterial or viral pink eye.
Preventing Pink Eye
Pink eye is highly contagious, but good hygiene habits can help prevent infection and spread. Here are some tips:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom and before touching your eyes. That removes germs that could infect your eyes.
- Use clean towels and pillowcases: Don’t share these items with anyone with pink eye. Replace towels and pillowcases frequently to avoid re-infection.
- Don’t share eye makeup like mascara or eye shadow: The bacteria and viruses that cause pink eye can spread through shared makeup brushes and applicators. Use your makeup and applicators.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands: Touching your eyes with dirty hands allows germs to enter easily.
- Disinfect surfaces like door handles and sink faucets frequently. The viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye can live on surfaces.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has pink eye until they’ve been treated. It’s easy to spread pink eye through coughing, sneezing, or touching infected eyes.
Good hygiene practices are the best way to avoid getting or spreading pink eye infections. Washing hands, using clean items, and avoiding contact with infected eyes will go a long way in prevention.
Treating Pink Eye
If a bacterial infection causes pink eye, doctors may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments to clear up the infection. Antibiotics can quickly relieve symptoms and prevent the infection from spreading to others.
For viral pink eye, there are currently no antiviral eye drops available. Doctors may recommend using cool compresses and artificial tears to soothe symptoms until the infection runs its course. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help reduce discomfort.
If allergies or irritants are the culprit, antihistamine eye drops like Ketotifen can help stop the release of histamines that cause itching, swelling, and discharge. Oral antihistamines may also be used to control allergy symptoms. Keeping the eyes free of the allergen source and using cold compresses can also provide relief.
Pink eye symptoms usually clear up with proper treatment within a week or two. It’s important to follow doctor’s orders and use any prescribed medication as directed.
Proper Hand Washing
Washing your hands properly and frequently is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of pink eye and other infections. Follow these steps every time:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water. Turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather up and scrub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between fingers, under nails, and around your wrists.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water to remove all soap residues.
- Dry your hands well with a clean towel or air dry them. Damp hands can easily spread germs.
Washing with soap and water for 20 seconds removes dirt, grease, and microbes that cause infection. Hand sanitizers are not as effective at killing certain bacteria and viruses. Get into the habit of washing with soap and water after using the bathroom, eating, touching shared surfaces, petting animals, and any other time hands are potentially contaminated. Proper hand hygiene is one of the best defenses against pink eye.
FAQs
Conclusion
In summary, the idea that farts can cause pink eye is a widespread myth but has no scientific basis. While farts contain gases and may have traces of fecal matter, they do not contain the bacteria or viruses that cause pink eye.
The real causes of pink eye are bacterial infections, viral infections, and allergens/irritants. It can spread through contact with infected eye discharge or unwashed hands touching the eyes. While unhygienic bathroom habits may increase risk, there is no direct causation between farting and developing pink eye.
Proper hand-washing hygiene is the best way to prevent pink eye infections. If you do develop symptoms, see a doctor for antibiotics or antivirals. For allergy-related cases, over-the-counter medication and cold compresses can provide relief.
The bottom line is that while the fart/pink eye myth is humorous, it has no factual basis. Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding touching your eyes with unwashed hands prevent this irritating condition.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.