Pink Eye

[marbles]

I think my 3 year old has pink eye. I've heard it's going around here, and today he's got thick white discharge from one eye and it's reddish. He's also acting out, so perhaps it's bothering him. I have breastmilk frozen, how often and how long should I use that? He's very opposed to the idea, so I want to fight him as little as possible but also I want to clear whatever this is up. I've never dealt with pink eye before, so I'm not even sure that's what this is. How can I tell?

[momma2girls]

Pink eye stinks!!!!!!! I just had my third kid in a row get it.

No help on the breastmilk though.

[marbles]

Originally Posted by momma2girls

Pink eye stinks!!!!!!! I just had my third kid in a row get it.

No help on the breastmilk though.

I've heard people talk about how much they try to contain it because they hate it, what makes pink eye so bad? Is it painful? Hard to get rid of?

[momma2girls]

Originally Posted by marbles

I've heard people talk about how much they try to contain it because they hate it, what makes pink eye so bad? Is it painful? Hard to get rid of?

Not painful but depending on how bad it is it can make them really irritated at life in general. My girls were having a hard time seeing and drainaige was running down their cheek so they were grumpy. I am finding it a pain in the butt to get rid off. 2.5 weeks since the first got it and my youngest finally seems to have gotten over it.

So stuff that I have been doing that has helped since they only got it in one eye instead of both. Lots of kids end up spreading it to their other eye.
I have been on them not to touch their face. If it was draining I cleaned it up.
Wash hands a lot!
I washed pillow cases and sheets every day.
Take all towels out of the bathroom and use paper towels to dry hands. If you can't do this use a hand towel once and then put it in the wash.
I never disinfect toys but I have started cause I want it gone.

[houseforjoy]

it is super contagious!! i would do a few drops in the corner of his eye a few times a day. you can have him do it with his eye closed, then put the drop in the corner and just have him slowly open his eye.

[marbles]

Originally Posted by momma2girls

Not painful but depending on how bad it is it can make them really irritated at life in general. My girls were having a hard time seeing and drainaige was running down their cheek so they were grumpy. I am finding it a pain in the butt to get rid off. 2.5 weeks since the first got it and my youngest finally seems to have gotten over it.

So stuff that I have been doing that has helped since they only got it in one eye instead of both. Lots of kids end up spreading it to their other eye.
I have been on them not to touch their face. If it was draining I cleaned it up.
Wash hands a lot!
I washed pillow cases and sheets every day.
Take all towels out of the bathroom and use paper towels to dry hands. If you can't do this use a hand towel once and then put it in the wash.
I never disinfect toys but I have started cause I want it gone.

Very helpful! Does it just run its course, or do you have to treat iron order for it to go away?

Originally Posted by houseforjoy

it is super contagious!! i would do a few drops in the corner of his eye a few times a day. you can have him do it with his eye closed, then put the drop in the corner and just have him slowly open his eye.

That is very helpful! I tried that and he thought it was no big deal, thank you. How long should I try the breast milk before trying something stronger?

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

Oh and containment. Should he bathe separately? I know he should skip his class at church, what about going in general? Extended family gatherings?

[momma2girls]

Originally Posted by marbles

Very helpful! Does it just run its course, or do you have to treat iron order for it to go away?



That is very helpful! I tried that and he thought it was no big deal, thank you. How long should I try the breast milk before trying something stronger?

On whether it run its course or needs attention it depends. Ours need antibiotic ointment to clear up. It was bacterial which I don't believe is the norm. When I talk to my mom tomorrow I can ask how long to try and let it go before being seen. (She's a pediatric nurse)
---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

Oh and containment. Should he bathe separately? I know he should skip his class at church, what about going in general? Extended family gatherings?

I would bathe him seperatly, but that's my preference. It is super contagious. Whether you take him around family is up to you. I wouldn't unless there is no more redness or drainaige or he's been on some type of ointment of drop for 24 hours. I am super hands off with drops and such but ours wouldn't clear up without it.

[OnAMission]

Originally Posted by marbles

Very helpful! Does it just run its course, or do you have to treat iron order for it to go away?

We did breastmilk drops a couple times a day and saw significant improvement within 24 hours. I would think it should get better within a day or two if breastmilk alone will do it. Apparently the other drops can really sting, so I was glad to start with breastmilk that doesn't

For us, we didn't want to risk infecting anyone else, so we just stayed home until it was really clearly better. I also put drops in the other kids' eyes a few times just for prevention because it is so contagious and washed all the sheets, and especially pillow cases.