Pink Eye – Do you know what it is??

Hi guys – I currently have a friend whose little bub has been diagnosed with Pink Eye. I have to admit that I really knew very little about this condition and neither did she so we both sat down armed with our pens and hit the net. .

You know it never ceases to amaze me just how much info is to be found online. . Anyway my friends little one has been so sooky and every time you even think about cleaning their eye the poor little mite screams. From what I have seen Pinkeye really a horrible thing. .

~ So what really is Pinkeye? ~

To put it simply Pinkeye is an infection, which covers the eyeball. Pinkeye is also known as by some as conjunctivitis and it is usually caused by a virus but it is also important to note that it can be caused by a form of bacteria as well as allergies or chemicals that may be in your child’s environment.

~ What about symptoms? ~

Most children and adults with Pinkeye often complain of a scratchy feeling or a sharp pain in their eyes, this is also usually accompanied by a lot of horrible watery fluid and/or pus.

This infection always nearly always turns the white part of their eyes pink or red (this is how it got its name of Pinkeye) and after a child or adult wakes after a sleep they will often find that their eyelids are stuck together. This is very uncomfortable and some children are very frightened by this.

Some other symptoms may be:

• Swollen Eyelids
• Excessive tearing
• Unable to cope with bright light

~ So how is Pinkeye transmitted? ~

It very important to remember that Pinkeye is VERY easily transmitted. Here are some of the ways that it can be passed on:

• If a child with the infection touches the watery pus seeping from their eye(s) and then touches another child
• If an adult or another person wipes an infected eye(s) then touches either their own eyes or an eye belonging to someone else
• Sharing face washers (face cloths) and/or towels
• Sharing bedding, in particular pillows
• Swimming
• Avoid shaking hands

~ Can Pinkeye be treated? ~

The simple answer here is YES . . .

If the Pinkeye is triggered by a virus then the discharge is often more watery and all that is required to treat this is a warm water compress and/or a rinsing out the eye with an eye cup of either Saline or warm salty water.

If bacteria cause the Pinkeye then you will nearly always see thick pus. This type of Pinkeye needs to be treated with an anti-biotic, either eye drops or ointment. It is also recommended that you use a warm water compress, as this can be very soothing.

Its also worth mentioning that if you are the mum of a baby or infant with Pinkeye and you are breastfeeding then an old wives tale suggests that you can use your breast milk to treat the Pinkeye. Simply clean the eye with warm salty water and then place in one or two drops of breast milk.  This is something I got from a member in the First Aid and Home Remedies group an I would like to thank lillkatheryn for the tip.

~ So what else can we do? ~

There are many things that we as parents and adults can do. Being armed with knowledge is a GREAT start. . Here are some other tips:

• Keep an eye on your children especially if you notice them playing etc with a child that already has Pinkeye
• Make sure that you contact you doctor as soon as you notice any sign of infection. It’s very important to do this as your doctor will know if you or your child may need antibiotics
• Teach your children NOT to touch other children’s or adults eyes and if they do then make sure that they wash their hands in warm soapy water
• Do not let your child share face washers (face cloths), towels or bedding with others.
• Teach you child not to share anything that comes in contact with someone else’s eye such as sunglasses etc.

The most important thing of all is to remember not to panic! Take notice of your children’s eyes as well as yours and your adult friends as no one is immune to getting Pinkeye.

IF you notice Pinkeye in your child and there is pus (which is nearly always yellow and thick) then you should keep your child home from school until antibiotics or eyewashes etc have been done for a minimum of 24 hours.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope some of you found this useful. . I look forward to reading your feedback if you have any.

Cheers Kellz

Xoxoxoxoxo

© Copyright 2008 Kellzacar. . All writings by Kellzacar remain the property of Kellzacar and should not be republished or copied without written permission. Kellzacar can be emailed via Minti. Any similarities are by coincidence only as all writings etc are the research and or thoughts of the writer. All links are to websites used or visited whilst writing this article.