Can You Get Pink Eye From a Fart? Find the Myth

Key Takeaways

• You can’t get pink eye from a fart; infections, allergies, or irritants are the real causes.
• Pink eye spreads when bacteria or viruses transfer from hands to eyes, often due to poor hand hygiene.
• Prevent pink eye by washing your hands often, avoiding eye-touching with unwashed hands, and not sharing personal items.

What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the thin tissue (conjunctiva) covering the white part of your eye. It leads to redness, itching, watery eyes, and sometimes discharge.

There are different types:

• Viral conjunctivitis – caused by viruses, often spreads easily.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis – results from bacteria like Staphylococcus or Streptococcus.
• Allergic conjunctivitis – triggered by pollen, dust, or other allergens.
• Irritant conjunctivitis – caused by smoke, chlorine, or chemicals.

How Do You Get Pink Eye or Spread It?

Pink eye spreads when infectious particles come into contact with the eyes. Common ways include:

• Touching your eyes after handling contaminated surfaces
• Sharing towels, makeup, or pillowcases with someone infected
• Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
• Poor handwashing after being exposed to germs

How Can You Get Pink Eye?

The primary culprits are bacteria and viruses, not gases. Close contact with infected people, sharing personal items, or improper hygiene are the biggest risk factors.

Debunking Myths: The “Fart Causes Pink Eye” Myth

One of the most popular internet jokes is that farting on a pillow can cause pink eye. The reality? Farts don’t transmit conjunctivitis . Here’s why:

• Flatulence releases gas, not bacteria or viruses.
• Unless fecal particles are somehow transferred (which is very unlikely in normal farting), there is no pathway for infection.
• Scientific research has found no evidence linking farts directly to conjunctivitis.
• The myth likely comes from mixing humor with the fact that fecal matter can carry bacteria, but fart gas itself does not.

Can Farts Ever Transmit Germs?

While a fart can contain trace amounts of bacteria if passed directly onto skin without clothing, studies show that gas alone is sterile. For germs to transmit, particles (not gas) must come into contact with surfaces. That’s why the fart-pink-eye link remains more of a comedy myth than a medical fact.

Real Risk Factors for Pink Eye

Instead of worrying about farts, focus on these real causes:

• Touching eyes with dirty hands
• Sharing towels, makeup, or bed linens
• Seasonal allergies and pollen exposure
• Exposure to chemicals or smoke
• Close contact with someone already infected

How to Prevent Pink Eye

Simple daily habits can significantly reduce your risk:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid rubbing your eyes
• Do not share makeup, towels, or pillowcases
• Disinfect surfaces and linens regularly
• Replace old eye makeup to avoid bacterial buildup

Daily Activities

• Sharing a Home with a Eye infection Patient

If someone in your household has eye infection:

• Use separate towels and pillowcases
• Wash linens and clothing frequently in hot water
• Encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly
• Limit close face-to-face contact until the infection clears

For Pink Eye Due to Allergies

If your conjunctivitis is allergy-related, managing triggers is key:

• Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons
• Use air filters indoors
• Take antihistamines (if prescribed)
• Use lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation

Can You Get Pink Eye from Farting on a Pillow?

While this myth circulates widely online, farting on a pillow won’t cause pink eye. The only way a pillow could contribute is if it’s contaminated with infectious material (like bacteria from hands, dirty linens, or discharge from an infected eye). Proper hygiene and washing bedding regularly prevent this.

What Research Says

• According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the majority of pink eye cases are viral or bacterial, and there’s no mention of gas transmission.
• Studies highlight that eye infection spreads via hand-to-eye contact or contaminated objects, not airborne gases.
• In rare cases, fecal-oral transmission of pathogens like E. coli can cause illness, but this does not apply to conjunctivitis.

Final Words

So, can you get pink eye from a fart? The answer is a clear no. Conjunctivitis is caused by infections, allergens, or irritants—not by passing gas. The myth is funny, but the reality is simple: good hygiene, handwashing, and avoiding eye-touching are your best defenses.

If you experience redness, irritation, or discharge, consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause and get proper treatment.