Pink eye

[AzureSky]

Youngest just got a lesson in why parents fuss about washing hands and not rubbing eyes <sigh>

For now, it was not a big deal. Trip to urgent care (of course it happened when doctor's office is closed), fast run to pharmacy to get there before it closed - the usual PITA deal, you know?


But....if it had happened during emergency, what would you do? You can't expect kids to stay clean - especially when the routine is disrupted. It just opened my eyes a little about little issues that could get big.

Anyone have a remedy for pink eye that doesn't involve doctors? I think I'd like that on hand.

Of course, I'll now be trying to make better hygiene and eye awareness a habit - for all of us.

 

[DrHenley]

The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. It just means inflammation of the outer layer of the white part of the eyeball, and is not a specific disease. In other words, pink eye is a symptom, and the underlying reason has to be diagnosed correctly to be treated effectively. So if at all possible, seek professional medical help before treating it yourself.

If there is no professional medical help available, then most times just keeping the eye rinsed and using something that soothes the eyeball such as artificial tears or eyebright (euphrasia herb) is all you can do.

It can be caused by allergies, several different bacteria and several different viruses. In kids, bacteria are usually the culprits. For bacterial infections (even gonorrhea or chlamydia infections) over the counter Povidone-iodine eye drops can sometimes kill enough bacteria to help recover more quickly.

But as I say, if at all possible, seek professional medical advice.

 

[Maverick]

Keep hand and nose clean, don't rub and keep hands away from the eyes, damp warm clean white rag over the eyes, flush the eyes occasionally. Not much more one can do at home.

 

[Dani]

I have given Terramycin (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) to one of my goats who got pinkeye. Found at Tractor Supply in a little white and yellow box. It is animal use only. But just an FYI. Pinkeye has many different strands and only some are treated with that antibiotic so it is best to see a doc to determine which strand it is.

 

[Maverick]

I have given Terramycin (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) to one of my goats who got pinkeye. Found at Tractor Supply in a little white and yellow box. It is animal use only. But just an FYI. Pinkeye has many different strands and only some are treated with that antibiotic so it is best to see a doc to determine which strand it is.

I didn't know that... good to know!