Pink eye is a pain in the butt, especially because of how easily it spreads. If you or your kid are dealing with conjunctivitis, here are some things you should know.
Conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye, is an infection of the conjunctiva of the eye. Your child wakes up one morning with a pink eye that is matted with crusty junk. What do you do? We’ve all been there, and learning your child has an eye infection, no matter how minor, can bring on fear. While it’s best to get a diagnosis from a doctor when your child first gets pink eye, there are some home remedies that can help if you are waiting for an appointment. If you would like to learn more about conjunctivitis, continue reading. This information will reduce your panic and help you get much-needed relief for your child.
Pink eye causes a lot of symptoms, including redness, irritation, itching, swelling, and discharge. Do not be surprised if your child wakes up and cannot open their eye. Overnight, discharge from the affected eye will increase and cause thickened matting on the eyelashes. First things first, you need to help your child open his eyes. This will involve using a cotton ball dipped into warm water. Slowly clean your child’s eyes until they can open easily. Make sure to use gentle strokes because your child’s eyes are going to feel highly irritated and even painful.
A cool compress is beneficial for helping ease your child’s eyes. Cool compresses reduce the swelling and irritation of the eye. All you need to do is soak a soft cloth in cool water and wring out the excess. Lay it upon your child’s eye for about ten to fifteen minutes at a time. Make sure to wash the cloth in the washer with hot water before using it again because it is contaminated with bacteria.
Artificial tear drops can also help to ease the irritation felt by conjunctivitis, especially if your child’s eyes are only pink because of allergies. Eye drops will cleanse your child’s eyes and flush any allergens out, but you should be cautious when using this method. Do not allow the drops to flow from one eye to the other if there is an infection because the pink eye could spread to the other eye and cause increased pain and discomfort.
Pink eye can have multiple causes, so if you are unsure of what has caused the redness and swelling in your child’s eyes, you need to get him or her to the doctor. If your child’s eye remains red, irritated, and has discharge for more than a day, it is likely an infection that is going to require antibiotic drops. These medicated drops will get rid of the infection quickly and allow your child to get back to doing what he loves most.
It's important your child avoids touching their eyes. If your child cannot seem to keep their hands away, you may want to cover his or her eye with a patch. Your child may enjoy wearing the patch because they can play pirate, and it will effectively keep their hands away while healing takes place. Make sure your child washes their hands frequently, and wash anything that comes into contact with your child’s eyes, including their glasses.
The signs of pink eye may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pus discharge
- Itching
- Irritation
- Increased tearing
- Burning
Knowing when to see a doctor is important for your child. As stated above, if the symptoms last more than a day, get to the doctor. If a child experiences any of these symptoms, they need to be checked by a doctor to make sure there are no other eye disorders present.
- Sudden stabbing pains in the eye
- Changes in your child’s vision
- Increased light sensitivity
- Worsening symptoms