Conjunctivitis in children

How to deal with inflammation of the conjunctiva correctly

It is a very common problem in children and the causes can be different: here’s how to deal with inflammation of the conjunctiva correctly.

A few days have already passed, but conjunctivitis does not seem to want to give respite to the eyes of the child. The swelling does not pass, let alone the redness, and maybe the tears have been replaced by annoying pus.

What to do? The first rule to follow is not to panic: conjunctivitis is a very frequent problem in children, especially up to five years of age.

On the other hand, treating it properly is essential for it to resolve as soon as possible without damaging the eye in any way.

Beware of infections

One of the reasons why conjunctivitis in the child is so frequent lies in its own causes. Often, in fact, conjunctivitis is of infectious origin.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, i.e. the membrane that lines both the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid, can be caused by widespread microbes, such as those of colds or sore throats, or herpes.

For a child to come into contact with these germs is very simple: just have dirty hands, touch your eyes, and the damage is done.

In summer, then, the spread of these microbes can be facilitated by the attendance of beaches and swimming pools, where the child can easily fall into the mistake of wiping his face with a friend’s towel or coming into contact with germs present in the water.

Equally simple is the risk that a conjunctivitis that has affected only one eye is transferred to the other while the child rubs it trying to relieve the discomfort.

This is why it is important to explain to the child how to behave to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Bacteria or viruses?

The most suitable type of treatment depends on the germ that caused the conjunctivitis, that is, it varies if there is a bacterium or a virus at the origin.

In all cases the main symptoms are the same: redness and swelling of the conjunctiva of one or both eyes, sometimes associated with photophobia.

Often, bacterial forms are also associated with the sensation of a foreign body scratching in the eye and the production of pus.

In these cases it may be necessary to resort to antibiotics, usually in the form of ointments or eye drops, which should be applied several times a day.

Viral forms, on the other hand, are generally characterized by itching and abundant tearing.

In their case there are no specific treatments, and there is nothing left to do but wait for the problem to resolve itself.

While waiting, you can take care of the eye by gently cleansing it with cotton soaked in warm water, taking care not to pass on a healthy eye the cotton with which the infected one is cleaned.

The same procedure can also relieve discomfort in case of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Finally, we must not forget that conjunctivitis can also be caused by allergies. In this case, eye discomfort can be associated with runny nose, sneezing and, sometimes, fever.

The problem usually disappears with the intake of antiallergic drugs or specific eye drops.

Characteristic symptoms
Bacterial conjunctivitis Foreign body sensation scratching in the eye and pus production
Viral conjunctivitis Itching and profuse tearing
Allergic conjunctivitis Runny nose, sneezing and sometimes fever

When to contact the pediatrician

Precisely because different types of conjunctivitis may require different treatments, it is advisable to contact your doctor promptly.

After visiting the child, the doctor will prescribe any medication to be administered.

Once back home, treating conjunctivitis correctly should resolve the problem within a short time.

If this is not the case, or if the child finds himself struggling with severe pain, increased swelling, vision problems, a sense of general malaise or high fever, it is good to contact the doctor again.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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