Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye, namely the surface of the eyeball itself and the inner surface of the eyelid. It is caused, as a rule, by the ingress of dust, germs or viruses into the eyes. And in newborns, the cause of the appearance of conjunctivitis may also be the impassability of the lacrimal canal.
By itself, conjunctivitis is a very common disease. And he meets children very, very often. This is due to the fact that children like to rub their eyes, or to examine them with their fingers. And since the hands of a child are often dirty, then with the hands in the eyes are fed and bacteria. Then we are dealing with bacterial conjunctivitis.
In addition, the causes of conjunctivitis in newborns, children and adults can be viral colds. Such conjunctivitis is called viral.
There is also allergic conjunctivitis. It can be caused by house dust, flower pollen, food or even medicines.
The so-called purulent conjunctivitis in newborns is not a separate type of conjunctivitis. And when such a phrase is pronounced, it simply emphasizes the fact that conjunctivitis is accompanied by the release of pus.
Accordingly, the treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns depends on what kind of conjunctivitis your child fell ill.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in newborns
The course of the disease in an adult has many manifestations. It is difficult for a newborn to diagnose conjunctivitis, because a child can not complain about his state of health. However, there are a sufficient number of symptoms that tell parents that they are dealing with a conjunctivitis in a newborn.
- Redness and inflammation of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid. As a rule, the outer membrane of the eyelid with conjunctivitis also becomes inflamed and becomes red.
- Increased lachrymation. And, although it is difficult enough to notice from a newborn, but attentive parents will always be able to determine that the eye of a child is watering not from crying.
- Photophobia. It is also easy to recognize it from a newborn. If the child is painful to look at the light, he constantly turns away and frowns, this can be a manifestation of the conjunctivitis.
- Isolation of pus. Folded eyelids after sleep, purulent discharge during the day - all this is the reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Than to treat a conjunctivitis at the newborn?
It must be remembered that all kinds of conjunctivitis, other than allergic, are contagious. Therefore, first of all, observe the rules of personal hygiene and hygiene of the newborn.
As mentioned above, what you will be treating conjunctivitis in newborns should directly depend on the variety of conjunctivitis. But it must be remembered that, without exception, all activities for the treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns should be prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Self-medication at such a tender age can only exacerbate the disease.
Treatment of viral conjunctivitis must begin with the elimination of the cause of its appearance. That is, if the inflammation was caused by ARVI, then first you need to cure the newborn from ARVI, and treat conjunctivitis in parallel. Otherwise it may appear again.
The treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in newborns does not always require the use of complex preparations. Probably, conjunctivitis will pass by itself, or after application of eye drops or ointments.
Allergic conjunctivitis often passes by itself, after the source of the allergy has been eliminated.
Folk remedies for the treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns should be used only after consultation with an ophthalmologist. To alleviate the condition of the baby, it is allowed only to wash the eye with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water or with a weak tea.