My child's eyes are pink and goopy. Could he have conjunctivitis?
If the whites of one or both of your child's eyes and the lower rim of either of his eyelids are red, chances are he has conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye or red-eye. Conjunctivitis happens when an infection, an allergen, or some other irritant inflames the transparent membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids (the conjunctiva). As your child's system tries to fight the infection, his eyes may tear or become goopy or crusty.
It's important that you treat conjunctivitis promptly, so call your child's doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms.
How can I find out what's causing the infection?
The doctor will examine your child's eyes and ask about his symptoms. Here are some possibilities:
A virus If your child has conjunctivitis as well as cold symptoms, the infection is most likely viral. Viruses are the most common cause of conjunctivitis.
Bacteria If your child's eyes are producing a thick yellow discharge that causes his eyelids to swell or stick together, bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, or hemophilus are probably to blame.
An allergen If your child's eyes seem itchy and swollen as well as watery and bloodshot and he has a runny nose, he may be having an allergic reaction to an irritant such as dust, pollen, or smoke. An allergic reaction doesn't stem from an infection, but it could become one if your child continues to be exposed to the irritant.
How can I treat conjunctivitis?
The treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis your child has.
Viral conjunctivitis usually clears up on its own in a week or so. Your doctor will advise you to keep the area clean by gently washing your child's eyes with warm water and rubbing away the dried discharge. If your child's eyes haven't improved after two weeks, let your doctor know.
If your child has viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, he may find a warm compress comforting. Simply soak a clean cloth in warm water and place it on your child's eyes while he listens to music or a story.
If bacteria are the culprit, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic ointment or drops for you to use on your child's eyes for about seven days.
You may find the ointment easier to apply than the drops: Wash your hands, then gently pull your child's lower eyelid down a little bit and run a ribbon of ointment along it. (The ointment falls away from the tube as you squeeze, so you just need good aim.) When your child blinks, the ointment will go into his eye.
If you're using drops, aim for the inside corner of your child's eye. This may be easiest to do when his eye is shut. When he opens his eye, the medicine will run into it.
Wash your hands before and after treating your child's eyes. Never share medications or use old drops or ointment. Old medications aren't likely to be sterile and could make the infection worse.
Make sure you use the full prescribed course of antibiotics even after the symptoms are gone. Otherwise, the infection might return.
Your doctor will probably recommend washing your child's eyes with warm water and gently rubbing away the dried discharge, since a buildup of infected fluid can make antibiotics less effective. Your child may also enjoy a warm compress on his eyes.
Warning: Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are both extremely contagious. To keep this kind of infection from spreading, you'll need to wash your hands every time you finish caring for your child's eyes. Keep his towels, clothing, and bedding separate from everyone else's, and wash these items regularly.
You'll need to check the policy of your child's school on whether children with conjunctivitis are permitted to attend classes. Some schools allow children to return after 24 hours of treatment. Others don't let them come back until they no longer have any eye discharge.
Since allergic conjunctivitis is the result of your child's having been exposed to an irritating substance, you need to identify the allergen and keep him away from it. See our allergies article for tips on how to keep your home allergen-free.
If your child's eyes are making him uncomfortable, his doctor may suggest eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis. (Some of these should only be used for a few days. Get specific directions from the doctor or pharmacist.) And if your child has other allergy symptoms, the doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine or other allergy medicine.
A cool compress might also provide some relief from allergic conjunctivitis.