Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)

Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)


About Pinkeye
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers
white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

Pinkeye can be alarming because it may make the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly. But it is a fairly common
Usually no long-term eye or vision problems cause state and causes.

Nevertheless, if your child shows symptoms of conjunctivitis, it is important to see a doctor. Some types of conjunctivitis go away on their
require their own, but other treatment.

Causes
Pinkeye can be caused by many bacteria and viruses responsible for colds and other infections, - including ear
And to cause the same kinds of bacteria, chlamydia and gonorrhea - infections, infections of the sinuses and sore throat
two sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, also called sexually transmitted infections or sexually transmitted diseases).

Pinkeye can be caused by allergies. These cases seem to happen more frequently among kids who also have other
allergic diseases such as hay fever. Triggers of allergic conjunctivitis include grass, ragweed pollen, animal hair,
and mites.

Sometimes a substance in the environment can cause irritation and conjunctivitis the eyes, such as chemicals (chlorine, soaps,
etc.) or air pollution (smoke and fumes).

Pinkeye in newborn babies
Newborns are particularly susceptible to pinkeye and can be more susceptible to serious health complications if it goes
untreated.

When a baby to a mother who has an STD / STI, during birth is born, the bacteria or virus can pass from the birth canal
in the baby's eyes, what pinkeye. To prevent this, doctors give antibiotic ointment or eye drops to all babies
immediately after birth. Occasionally, this is a mild chemical conjunctivitis, which usually preventative treatment
clears up on its own. Doctors also can screen pregnant women for STIs / STDs and treat them during pregnancy to prevent
Transmission of the infection to the child.

Many babies with a narrow or blocked tear duct (lacrimal called stenosis), which clarifies usually be born on his
own. However, sometimes it can lead to conjunctivitis.

Symptoms
The different types of conjunctivitis may have different symptoms. And symptoms can vary from child to child.

One of the most common symptoms is discomfort in the eye. A child may say that it feels like there is sand in the eyes.
Many kids have redness of the eye and the inner eyelid, which is why conjunctivitis is often called pinkeye. It can also
cause discharge from the eyes, which can cause the eyelids to stick when the child wakes up in the morning. Some
Kids have swollen eyelids or sensitivity to bright light.

In cases of allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness and tearing are common symptoms.

Contagiousness
Cases of conjunctivitis caused by bacteria and viruses are contagious; cases caused by allergies or environmental
Irritants are not.

A child may have conjunctivitis touched by touching an infected person or something an infected person, such as to get used to a
Tissue. In the summer months pinkeye can spread when kids swim in contaminated water or towels contaminated share. Also
can be spread by coughing and sneezing.

Doctors usually recommend that children diagnosed with contagious conjunctivitis out of school, child care or summer camp
for a short time.

In addition, a person who has pinkeye in one eye may inadvertently spread it to the other eye by touching the infected eye, then
Touching the other eye.

Prevent Pinkeye
To pinkeye caused by infections, teach kids to wash their hands often with soap and warm water. They should also
do not share eye drops, tissues, eye makeup, washcloths, towels or pillowcases with other people.

Be sure to wash your own hands thoroughly after touching an infected child's eyes and throw away items like gauze or
Cotton after it has been used. Wash towels and other laundry that the child used separately in hot water
the rest of the family laundry to avoid contamination.

If you know your child is prone to allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed on days when the pollen
heavy, and dust and vacuum frequently to limit allergy triggers in the home. Irritant conjunctivitis can only
prevented by avoiding the irritating causes.

Many cases of conjunctivitis in newborns can be prevented by screening and treatment of pregnant women for STDs / STIs. A pregnant
Woman can bacteria in her birth canal, even if they have no symptoms, which is why prenatal screening is important shows.

Treatment
Pinkeye caused by a virus usually goes away on its own without any treatment. If a doctor suspects that the conjunctivitis has
caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic eye drops or ointments will be prescribed.

Sometimes it can get challenging children to tolerate his eye drops several times a day. If you have problems, contact the
Drops on the inner corner of your child's closed eye - when the child opens his eyes, the medicine will flow into it. When
You continue to have problems with drops, ask the doctor about antibiotic ointment. It can be applied in a thin layer
where to take the eyelids, and melts and into the eye.

If your child has allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe anti-allergy medication that comes in the form
Pills, liquid or eye drops.

Cool or warm compresses and acetaminophen or ibuprofen may make a child with pinkeye feel more comfortable. You can clean
the edges of the infected eye thoroughly with hot water, and gauze or cotton. This can also remove the crusts of
dried discharge, which cause the eyelids first stick, which can in the morning.

If your child wears contact lenses and has conjunctivitis, your doctor or ophthalmologist may recommend that the contact
Lenses not be worn until the infection has disappeared. After the infection is gone, carefully clean the lenses. Be sure to
Disinfection of the lenses and case at least twice before you wear your child back. If your child wears disposable
Contact lenses, discard current pair, and use a new pair.

When to call the doctor
If you think your child has conjunctivitis, it is important to contact your doctor to find out what is causing it and how to treat them
it. Other serious eye conditions can mimic conjunctivitis, so a child who complains of severe pain, changes in vision,
Swelling around the eyes, or sensitivity to light should be investigated. If the conjunctivitis does not improve after 2 to 3 days
of treatment or after a week if left untreated, call your doctor.

If your child has conjunctivitis and starts, increased swelling, redness and tenderness in the eyelids and around the development
Eye, along with a fever, call your doctor. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has begun on the spread
Conjunctiva and require additional treatment.