We’ve all heard the playground rumor: “If someone farts on your pillow, you’ll get pink eye!” It’s been passed around for generations, even popping up in movies like Knocked Up. But is there any truth to this bizarre claim?
As an eye doctor, I’m here to settle this once and for all—with real science, not schoolyard gossip.
The Short Answer
No, you cannot get pink eye from a fart.
Here’s why:
- Farts are mostly gas (methane, nitrogen, CO₂)—not bacteria.
- The tiny amount of bacteria in flatulence dies instantly when exposed to air.
- Even if bacteria survived, your clothing or pillowcase blocks it.
But there’s a gross truth behind this myth that does matter for your eye health…
Where This Myth Comes From (And the Real Risk)
The confusion starts with one fact:
Poop bacteria CAN cause pink eye—but only if it touches your eyes.
Here’s how it actually spreads:
- Someone doesn’t wash hands after using the bathroom →
- They touch a doorknob, phone, or handshake →
- You touch that surface, then rub your eyes →
- Bacteria (like E. coli or staph) infects your conjunctiva.
This is why pink eye outbreaks happen in:
- Daycares (kids are terrible at handwashing)
- Dorms (shared spaces + poor hygiene)
- Gyms (sweaty hands on equipment)
Pink Eye Causes That AREN’T Farts
| Type | Cause | Contagious? |
|---|---|---|
| Viral | Cold/flu viruses | Extremely |
| Bacterial | Poop, skin bacteria | Very |
| Allergic | Pollen, dust | No |
| Irritant | Smoke, chlorine | No |
Most common culprits:
- Adenoviruses (from coughs/sneezes)
- Staphylococcus (from skin or nose)
- Chlamydia (in newborns, from birth)
How to Actually Prevent Pink Eye
1. Wash hands like a surgeon
- 20 seconds with soap (sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
- Key times: After bathrooms, before eating, after touching public surfaces
1. Stop rubbing your eyes (Use a clean tissue instead)
2. Disinfect high-touch surfaces
- Phones, keyboards, doorknobs
1. Never share:
- Towels, pillowcases, eye makeup, or contact lenses
But My Eyes Are Pink—What Now?
Do this first:
- Flush with artificial tears
- Apply a cold compress (for itching) or warm compress (for crusts)
- Throw out any eye makeup/contacts used while infected
See a doctor ASAP if:
- Your vision gets blurry
- Light hurts your eyes
- Symptoms last >3 days
Treatment by type:
- Bacterial: Antibiotic drops (works in 24-48 hrs)
- Viral: Just wait it out (1-2 weeks)
- Allergic: Antihistamine drops
Final Verdict
Farts are harmless (but still gross). The real pink eye risks come from:
- Poor hand hygiene
- Sharing makeup/towels
- Rubbing your eyes with dirty hands
So wash up, stop worrying about fart pranks—and if you do get pink eye, skip the old wives’ tales and see an eye doctor.
