Pink eye question

ncblondie · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 07:57 AM

Oh great. Daycare just called and they are suspecting pink eye. I asked if anyone had it last week as he hasn't been around any other kids this weekend. She tells me that the whites of his eyes look red and when they wipe goop out, it comes back.

His right eye has had a tiny amount in the corner here and there, but I attributed it to his runny nose which has been a constant since his top teeth are working their way through the gums.

I have to take him to the doc this afternoon to prove it is or it isn't.

With all of this company coming this weekend, how soon does it clear up? I am freaking out that we could pass it along to 2 other babies if it is pink eye. Not to mention taking off work is not a good thing.

JennD · #2 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 07:59 AM

I don't have any experience with pink eye but I really hope that he doesn't have it and its just his teeth.

Let us know what the doc says.

MarchPrincess · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:04 AM

Oh no! I am keeping my fingers crossed! It could be from his nose as my PED said when Nicky had it that it was from his cold going through his sinuses or some such thing. His eyes were clear after two days of drops!!! I am glad you are taking him in to have them look at it. I called once about Lexxie and they said it was pink eye {on the phone} and it wasn't, it was from a terrible reaction to sheep.
Good luck! Let us know!

ncblondie · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:08 AM

Grrrr. I certainly hope it is only his teeth. But I am more annoyed at having to pay $25 copay and then whatever else on the bill after that. We have a new ins plan this year that is terrible. They charge us 20% of the bill, plus the copay.

considering I work for a healthcare system.

Of course it is pink eye, I will feel bad for fussing about paying for a dr's visit.

jilleighbee · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:13 AM

We've had plenty of that in our house, and it's always cleared up pretty quickly for us. Should it be pink eye and you need meds for him, I am partial to the liquid drops rather than the ointment. (Though a good friend of mine feels the opposite.) With the ointment, you have to pull the skin near the eye down and hold it long enough to squeeze the goop in. Then the whole eye area looks greasy and goopy with drainage. With the drops, we lay the baby across a lap and engage him/her to make and maintain eye contact. You can even have Chase hold your hand(s) as you talk to him so that he keeps them down from his face. If you use a free hand (or your dh's hand) to quickly hold the bottle above his face, you can squeeze the drop out and let it fall right into the eye before he has a chance to put up a fight of protest. It usually requires 2 or 3 drops, but we found the drops to be easier to get in and cleaner looking as the infection clears up.

Good luck! Let us know what the dr finds!

Jill

cbast3 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:18 AM

We have had it with Mary Elizabeth when she was in daycare. Chances are it is pink eye. It should clear up in 2-3 days if you use the drops. Is Steve able to stay home with the Chase-man?

tarasheena · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:21 AM

Lurking and saw this post. My son's nursery school had a pink eye break out last week and this weekend I noticed goop in the eyes... so I took him to the doctor and ofcourse it was infact pink eye. His school said they can come back after 24 hrs of it being treated. Our Dr prescribed 2 eyedrops twice a day for 7 days... and trust me giving a 2 yr old drops... not fun! Also I need to disinfect the whole house when I get home and make sure to wash your hands constantly... it is SO contagious

kyanasama · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 08:33 AM

I have lots of experience with pink eye. If its bacterial pink eye, after 24 hours of antibiotics, he is no longer contagious. If its viral pink eye, you just have to wait it out, but its not contagious.