Understand Conjunctivitis in Children

 

Conjunctivitis in Children

The disease of Conjunctivitis has been spreading very fast, according to a report by indanexpress, 2.17 Lacs cases have been reported since June 2023 in Gujarat.

in spite of it not being a very dangerous disease, and complications of it are very rare, it’s related to our eyes, so it’s not expected that we ignore it and lack attention to it, if it is ignored, it can create big chaos for our eyes and health.

It’s very important for you to have enough information and knowledge about conjunctivitis to diagnose and treat it if it catches you.

Majorly children are affected by conjunctivitis, hence, it can be cured by proper treatment and medication. We are going to explore everything in the blog.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis happens when the conjunctiva of the eye is infected, your eye becomes pink or red (it is also called pinkeye), swollen, and you feel irritated with mucus maybe.

You feel inflammation in your eyes constantly during the conjunctivitis period in your eye, and this infective conjunctivitis is highly contagious.

Understanding conjunctivitis in-depth, the conjunctiva is made of thin layers of cells, and it covers the inner surface of your eyes including the whites of your eyes.

Inflammation makes the small blood vessels in the eye's clear covering more noticeable. This leads to discomfort and the eye turning pink or red. These changes can last from 1 to 4 weeks or even longer.

Types of Conjunctivitis

Likewise the other disease, conjunctivitis also has different types, which are listed below.

• Viral Conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis happens due to the virus and they are likely the common cold.

It's highly contagious and can spread easily through contact with infected eye secretions. 

Initially, it gets started with one eye only and spreads to another.

There is no specific treatment, and it typically clears up on its own within a week or two.

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, and it can also be contagious. It leads to redness, sticky discharge (often yellow or green), and crusty eyelids, especially upon waking up. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by a doctor can help clear up bacterial conjunctivitis.

• Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis happens due to allergic elements such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites, and redness, itching, and constant tearing are the result of allergic conjunctivitis

Both eyes are usually affected. If symptoms are severe, a doctor might recommend prescription medications.

• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

This type is often linked to wearing contact lenses for an extended period or using poorly fitted lenses. It causes the inner surface of the eyelids to develop small bumps (papillae), leading to discomfort, itching, and mucus discharge. Treatment involves discontinuing lens use for a while, using prescribed eye drops, and possibly switching to a different type of lens.

• Chemical Conjunctivitis

Exposure to irritants like chlorine in swimming pools, smoke, or harsh chemicals can cause chemical conjunctivitis. It results in redness, burning sensation, and excessive tearing. Flushing the eyes with clean water and avoiding the irritant is usually sufficient for treatment.

• Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Newborns can develop conjunctivitis due to a mother's infection during childbirth. It's important to identify and treat this type promptly to prevent potential complications. Doctors typically prescribe antibiotics or other appropriate treatments for the baby.

Remember that if you experience eye redness, discomfort, or changes in vision, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional, such as an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) or a general practitioner. They can accurately diagnose the type of conjunctivitis and recommend the most suitable treatment for your specific situation.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis in Children

Children can be affected by conjunctivitis anytime and anyhow, however, you can recognize the presence of conjunctivitis by monitoring some symptoms, and they are listed below.

• Red or Pink Eyes: One of the most noticeable signs of conjunctivitis is redness or pinkness in one or both eyes. The white part of the eye may appear bloodshot.

• Watery or Discharge: Children with conjunctivitis might have watery eyes, and there could be a sticky or thick discharge that forms a crust around the eyes, especially after sleep.

• Itching and Irritation: Kids with conjunctivitis often complain of itching or a gritty feeling in their eyes. They might rub their eyes frequently.

• Tearing: Excessive tearing is a common symptom. Children might tear up more than usual, and this can contribute to the watery appearance.

• Light Sensitivity: You might experience photophobia which is also called sensitivity to light. Children might squint or shield their eyes from bright lights.
  

• Swelling: In some cases, the eyelids might appear slightly swollen due to the inflammation caused by conjunctivitis.

• Discomfort or Pain: Children may feel discomfort or mild pain in their eyes, especially if they rub them a lot.

• Crusty Eyelids: As mentioned earlier, a sticky discharge can cause the eyelids to stick together, especially after sleep. This can lead to crusty eyelashes.

• Runny Nose: Viral conjunctivitis, in particular, might be accompanied by other cold-like symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or coughing.

Different types of conjunctivitis have different causes, so the symptoms might vary slightly. For example, viral conjunctivitis might start in one eye and spread to the other, while bacterial conjunctivitis often affects both eyes simultaneously.

If you see your child having conjunctivitis, it's very recommended to consult with an expert paediatrician or an eye specialist doctor for early diagnoses and treatment.

Being a specialist of eye disease, they have the proper solution for the complication, they diagnose the problem thoroughly and suggest the perfect treatment for your child's eyes.

Additionally, since conjunctivitis can be contagious, make sure to teach your child proper hygiene, like washing hands and not touching their eyes, to prevent the spread of the condition.

How to Diagnose Conjunctivitis in Children?

The presence of conjunctivitis in children indicates some signs recognizing by which, you can diagnose it by visiting an eye specialist.

• Redness: Look at the child's eye. If the white part of the eye is really pink or red, that's a sign.

• Tearing: If the child's eye seems to have more tears than usual, it could be conjunctivitis.

• Gunk: If there's crusty stuff or gooey liquid around the child's eye, especially when they wake up, that's a clue.

• Itching: If the child is rubbing or itching their eye a lot, it might be because of conjunctivitis.

• Light Sensitivity: If the child is bothered by bright lights and squints a lot, it's a sign.

At the moment of noticing these symptoms, I strongly recommend you to go to the doctor for further checkup. 

The doctor can tell for sure if it's conjunctivitis and recommend the right treatment. Meanwhile, you can gently clean the eye with a clean, damp cloth and avoid sharing towels, pillows, or anything that touches the eyes to prevent spreading.

Medical Treatment in Conjunctivitis

Usually, conjunctivitis gets better on its own without needing a doctor. If it's caused by a virus, you can do things at home to feel better. If it's because of an allergy or something that bothers the eyes, try to stay away from that thing.

If the doctor thinks it's caused by bacteria, they might suggest a medicine called antibiotics. Some doctors might give antibiotic drops to the eyes, but these might not always work, antibiotics don't work for viruses.

If the treatment isn't helping or if the eyes hurt or things look blurry, go back to the doctor.

Is Conjunctivitis Contagious?

Yes, conjunctivitis can be contagious. If someone has conjunctivitis, especially the kind caused by viruses or bacteria, it's easy to spread it to others. Touching the infected eye and then touching objects or other people can pass on the germs. 

Sharing personal objects such as towels, pillowcases, or other things have a high chance to spread the infection. 

To prevent the spreading of conjunctivitis, you must be careful about these things, you should wash your hands often, you should not touch your eyes too much, and avoid close contact with conjunctivitis-infected people.

This helps prevent spreading it to others. If a child has conjunctivitis, it's a good idea to keep them home from school or daycare until a doctor says they're not contagious anymore.

Complications of Conjunctivitis

In most cases conjunctivitis does not create any complications, however, ignoring it can create more problems for your eyes.

If you or your child has severe symptoms of conjunctivitis, should instantly seek medical attention to avoid further problems and risks.

Final Words on Conjunctivitis in Children

Due to being contagious, conjunctivitis becomes more dangerous for your child, and it’s essential for you to keep it away from your child.

In case your child is affected by conjunctivitis, the first step you should take is to take him or her to the specialist instantly, instead of applying any home remedies or waiting for the next symptom.

Early diagnoses mean early treatment and early treatment means early cure, and your child can escape from unnecessary pain and irritation.

FAQs

Question 1: What is the main cause of conjunctivitis?

Answer: Conjunctivitis happens due to viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. It's often spread through contact with infected eye fluids or touching things that were touched by an infected person's hands.

Question 2: Can conjunctivitis damage your eyes?

Answer: In most cases, conjunctivitis doesn't cause lasting damage to the eyes. However, if not treated properly, bacterial conjunctivitis can lead to more serious eye infections. It’s recommended to consult with the doctor if viruses persist or become more dangerous.

Question 3: Is conjunctivitis Painful?

Answer: Conjunctivitis can sometimes cause mild discomfort or a gritty feeling in the eyes. It might feel itchy or a bit sore. But in many cases, it's not very painful. If the eyes hurt a lot, it's a good idea to see a doctor.