If your newborn baby is still less than four weeks old, always have him or her examined by doctor immediately if you notice red or pink eyes or any other symptoms of conjunctivitis. That way, you can be sure of a proper diagnosis and that the right treatment is given, if needed. Conjunctivitis TreatmentĮye infections typically last a couple of weeks without treatment, but it’s always a good idea to see your doctor if you think your baby has conjunctivitis. If you aren’t sure whether your baby has conjunctivitis or just sticky eyes, ask your health visitor, midwife or doctor for advice. Don’t forget to wash your hands before and after cleaning and use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe. Wipe outwards, starting from the corner of each eye next to the nose. Sticky eyes usually clear up on their own, but you can help them along by regularly cleaning your baby’s eyes with cotton wool dunked in water that’s been boiled and cooled back down again. This is especially common in newborns and young babies, whose tear ducts are still developing. If your little one’s eyes are a little gummed up but there’s no redness and no yellow or green discharge, it could just be a case of sticky eyes. Not all stickiness of the eye is caused by conjunctivitis. Usually affects both eyes at the same time.ĭoes Your Baby Have Conjunctivitis or Just Sticky Eyes? Symptoms of conjunctivitis when caused by an allergic reaction can include: Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis can include: ![]() Usually starts in one eye, but can spread to the other Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis can include:Įyelids sometimes crusty after waking up in the morning The symptoms of conjunctivitis can vary, depending on what’s causing it. Knowing whether or not your conjunctivitis is infectious is also important so you can take extra steps to prevent the condition from spreading and reoccurring. It’s important to know what’s causing the conjunctivitis, so that your doctor can decide what treatment, if any, is needed. To diagnose conjunctivitis, your doctor may take a swab of the discharge, to find out whether it’s being caused by a virus or bacteria. Tell your doctor, midwife or health visitor if your baby has had contact with someone who has viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, or if you think there may be something that’s irritated his or her eyes. It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of conjunctivitis in babies, however, the main causes are typicallyĪllergens, such as dust mites or pet hairĬhemical irritants like polluted air or chlorinated swimming pool water. If you ever think your child may be having more serious problems with vision, see your doctor straight away. Things may sometimes seem a little blurry for your little one if a little discharge remains on the surface of the eye, but this usually goes away with blinking or by you carefully wiping the eyes. Sometimes your baby or toddler may also have other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough or earache.Ĭonjunctivitis can be uncomfortable for your baby but it typically won’t affect his or her eyesight. Just like a cold or flu, viral or bacterial conjunctivitis can spread easily. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. In these cases, it can be a bit like the flu or a common cold. Sometimes conjunctivitis is caused by a virus. It’s this symptom that makes it look like the whites of the eye are red or pink, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as ‘red eye’ or ‘pink eye’. The inflammation causes the blood vessels in the eye to become more visible. ![]() ![]() It happens when an infection or allergy causes inflammation of the thin tissue lining the inside of the eyelid (this is called the conjunctiva) and the white part of the eye. What Is Conjunctivitis?Ĭonjunctivitis is a common eye condition among children, although adults can get it too. Read on to learn more about what causes conjunctivitis, what the symptoms are, how to treat it and help prevent its spread and when to call your doctor. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis by your doctor though, because the treatment differs depending on what’s causing the infection. If the eyes looking back at you seem a little red or pink, this could be a symptom of conjunctivitis, also known as ‘red eye’ or ‘pink eye’.Īlthough it can be uncomfortable for your baby, conjunctivitis usually clears up within a couple of weeks with the right treatment. You might spend a lot of time gazing into your baby’s eyes, especially during those first few weeks of bonding.
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