How to Care for a Child With Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is the most common eye infection affecting children. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner eyelid. If your child has red, itchy, watering eyes, chances are she is suffering from pinkeye. You'll need to ensure that the conjunctivitis is not spread to others, as it is highly contagious. These steps will help you care for your little one and help to relieve his or her discomfort.
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Instructions
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Contact your child's doctor or health care provider to determine the cause of the pinkeye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies as well as many of the bacteria and viruses responsible for colds and other infections. Other serious eye conditions can resemble conjunctivitis, so it's best to let an experienced professional make a diagnosis.
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Apply medications as prescribed. Antibiotic ointment or eye drops are prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own without any treatment. Anti-allergy medication may be prescribed in the form of a pill, liquid or eye drop if your child's pinkeye is allergy related.
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Alternate applying warm and cold compresses to your child's eye while she is lying down, as this will help to decrease the swelling. Gently dabbing cotton balls dipped in warm water at the corners of her eyes will remove any discharge or crusting that may occur.
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Administer ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed to help alleviate your child's discomfort.
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Teach your child to wash his hands often with warm soap and water. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after touching your child's eyes or upon administering eye drops or other medication, as this will prevent the conjunctivitis from spreading.
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Wash any toys or hand-held items that your child may have come in contact with while exhibiting symptoms of conjunctivitis. Launder all towels and washcloths separately from the rest of the laundry.
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Tips & Warnings
Health care professionals usually recommend keeping a child with conjunctivitis out of school or daycare while symptoms are present.
If you know your child is prone to allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed when the pollen count is heavy. Vacuum and dust often to decrease the allergic triggers in the home.
If your child develops increased redness, tenderness and swelling in the eyelids and around the eye, along with a fever, call your doctor. These symptoms may indicate the infection has spread beyond the conjunctiva, requiring additional treatment.
