antibiotic eye drops

Conjunctivitis In Children – Advice To Deal With Pink Eyes

Pinkeye or conjunctivitis is a problem common in school kids. In this, the eyes become itchy, swollen and red. In addition to this, there can be a gooey discharge of liquid from the eyes that is of clear, white, yellow or green color. Pinkeye is another name given to conjunctivitis as the white of the eyes become pink or red. The child should inform an elder as soon as he or she experiences redness or itchiness in the eyes. This is important otherwise pinkeye will spread, as it is a contagious disease. When the child informs his or her parents, action should be taken immediately.

It is possible for only one eye be to affected by conjunctivitis. The other eye can be completely normal. But usually both the eyes catch the infection. Although conjunctivitis does not hurt or cause any pain, it can cause severe itching to the eyes and this can be extremely annoying. Usually the infection lasts only for around a week and goes away automatically. But in case the itching is severe, it should be given medical treatment. Sometimes children get conjunctivitis with ear infection, as the bacteria that causes pinkeye is the same that causes ear infection.

Bacteria or virus causes conjunctivitis. The virus responsible for conjunctivitis also causes cold. The bacteria that is responsible for causing conjunctivitis is also responsible for ear infections. Touching spreads conjunctivitis. If an infected person touches his or her eyes and somebody else touches his or her hand, the infection can spread. As infected children touch their parents and other children, the likelihood for infection is more pronounced. The best way to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis is washing the hands with warm water and a disinfecting soap. Conjunctivitis that spreads due to virus or bacteria, and is contagious is known as infectious conjunctivitis. Allergies can also cause conjunctivitis due to irritating foreign bodies entering the eyes. Conjunctivitis that is caused like this is not contagious.

In case the itchiness gets irritating, you should approach a doctor. The doctor normally checks the eyes for liquid discharge and redness. Then you will have to answer questions regarding encounters with infected people or whether the pinkeye has been caused due to the entry of a foreign object or some allergy in the eye. The doctor will also check your ears in case there is ear infection. If bacterial infection is the cause for the conjunctivitis, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointment. The ointment or drop should be applied to the child’s eyes at least three to four times a day for around one week or so. In order to completely get rid of the infection, the timings of the dosage should be regular.

If virus is the cause of the conjunctivitis, antibiotics will not be of much use. If allergy or any foreign object is the cause of pinkeye, a special eye drop can be recommended that deal with the symptoms of the allergy. Splashing warm water on the eyes can help ease the itching. A warm or cool washcloth should be used to clean the crusty stuff that forms at the eye ends. The washcloth or towel used for cleaning should be put into the laundry immediately after use to prevent the infection from spreading to other members. All the clothes and bed sheets should also be sent to laundry immediately.

About the Author

Abhishek is an expert Baby Shower organizer and he has got some great Baby Shower Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 117 Pages Ebook, “How To Have A Roaringly Successful Baby Shower!” from his website http://www.Childbirth-Guru.com/121/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Should Eye Drops Always Be Sterile?

I touched the the top part of the eye drop by accident and i’m worried it’s not sterile anymore. I don’t want any bacteria growing on my eye drop medicine. Should I continue to use it?
It’s an antibiotic eye drop that I need to take for 7 days. Otherwise, I have no other choice. I’m not suppose to stop the medication.

It is more than fine, antibacterial eye drops are not going to have any bacteria growing in it, as it itself kills bacteria.

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