Conjunctivitis, often called pinkeye is an eye infection very common to infants, though teens and adults can also get pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is basically an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids. Infected by virus or bacteria, conjunctivitis in infants are also developed as a part of a cold and by an allergic reaction.
Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious, however, bacterial conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis are not contagious.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The whites of your child’s eye will be red and there will be itchiness, and can sometimes be watery. A yellow or g green sticky discharge is often seen coming out of your child’s eye, which makes the lids stick together, after your child wakes up from sleep.
In bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, one or both eyes might be affected.
In allergic conjunctivitis, both your child’s eyes will feel itchy and watery long with itchy nose and sneezing.
Consult an eye doctor for infant pinkeye treatment, if:
- The infection stays even after 3-4 days, despite treatment.
- Child’s eye or eyelid becomes swollen and painful.
- Vision problems.
- Child has fever
How Is Pinkeye Treated?
Generally, Pinkeye caused by a virus goes off naturally and without any treatment.
Keep your child’s eye clean. Wash the eye gently, several times a day with cotton wool soaked in lukewarm water. But don’t add salt.
Your doctor may recommend antibiotic eye drops or ointment for treatment for infant conjunctivitis. Your doctor may suggest doing an eye swab to find out the type of infection. Follow the medication as prescribed by the eye doctor for several days for new born conjunctivitis treatment.