Pink Eye Stinks: Signs and Treatment

Pink Eye

In addition to the normal craziness around here, the twins were both diagnosed with Pink Eye 2 weeks ago. (On a side note, some websites spell it Pinkeye and not “Pink Eye,” but that looked weird to me!)

While it’s super annoying and a lot of fun to treat, Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) is not usually serious. However, it is very, very contagious.

Since this is the second time the twins have battled the Pink Eye stink eye, I’m sharing signs you should look for and treatment options.*

*I am not a doctor or health professional. All information I’m sharing is from personal experience or health websites. If you think you may have Pink Eye, please consult your doctor or other health professional.

What is Pink Eye?

According to WebMD,

Pinkeye is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface.

Basically, you have a really red eye. Sometimes, there is also swelling and drooping of the lid, and a yucky, sticky discharge.

For Little P, his eyes were very red, and he had some discharge, which made his eyelashes stick together. His eyes looked very painful and irritated. My husband, who got Pinkeye the last go-round, said it feels like you have sand in your eye. Ouch.

So, if you suspect Pink Eye, off the doctor you go…which is what we did.

What we learned from the Doctor

Pink Eye can be the result of a bacterial infection, a virus, or even allergies. Our doctor does not swab to see which kind of infection it is, but just treats it with some antibiotic eye drops. Other doctors may be different, but most err on the side of caution when it come to this kind of infection.

It is also important to check the ears, nose, and throat of the infected child. Often, Pink Eye is accompanied by another infection, like Strep throat or an ear infection. So, even though Pink Eye itself isn’t dangerous, the other infections can be more serious. Also, Pink Eye does often clear up without treatment, but it takes a lot longer. Instead of a couple days with the drops, it can take over a week if left untreated.

I don’t know about you, but a sand-like feeling in my eye and eye crusties need to go away as fast as possible.

Little P did not have any other infections, however, Big C had the start of Pink Eye and an ear infection. Good thing I brought both twins in just in case.

The Treatment

As I mentioned earlier, Pink eye will eventually clear itself within one to two weeks, even without treatment. If there is another infection at the same time, that may need to be treated with oral antibiotics.

The treatment of eye drops, however, will shorten the duration and also make the child more comfortable. So, that’s exactly what we did.

Also, to get rid of the discharge and crust around the eye, use a warm wash cloth with No Tears Baby Shampoo.

The Drops

Eye drops are NOT fun to administer. Not fun at all. Especially to wild, 4-year-old twins.

And no, they aren’t administered just once a day.

4 TIMES a day! 2 in each eye!

I would position the child on my lap. Holding their arms down with my elbows, while propping their one eye open with one hand, and squeezing 2 drops into the eye as fast as I could. It was definitely easier when my husband or grandpa could help and hold them down.

Also, if you’re not a fan of holding their eye open, you can have them close their eyes. Then, squirt the drop into the inner corner of their eye, and have them open and blink their eye a few times. It will get the drop in.

Make sure you have clean hands or wear gloves while administering the drops. Also, never touch the eye dropper to the eye or surrounding eye area, as you want to keep the container free from the germs.

Prevention?

As I mentioned, Pink Eye is very common, especially in young children. When they are in daycare or school, they learn all about sharing, and unfortunately, a lot of that sharing is germs. The biggest way to prevent Pink Eye (or any illness, really)

WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

Before you touch your face, put them in your mouth, or eat anything, wash your hands!

Warm water and soap and make your child sing through the alphabet while doing it. That way it’s around 20 seconds. Don’t forget to wash in between fingers and the backs of those hands too!

Remember, I am not a doctor, so if you think your child has Pink Eye, please consult a doctor or other health professional.

Have you had to deal with Pink Eye before? Any other good eye drop tips?