10 week old sticky eye - GP or pharmacist?

[ninaandbean]

Last night DS got a runny watery eye that went a bit goopy, this morning it was all crusty on that side. I've cleaned it up with cool boiled water and it looks fine but still a bit runny, not red or sore and he's not scratching it - do I make a GP appt for him or just pop to the pharmacist today to get some saline drops or something similar? If I wait will it get worse?

thanks

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

GP, mine suggests washing with a drop of johnsons baby shampoo in water before he gives me anything, but this time he took a swab as my DS (12w) has had runny eyes since birth now. GOt some drops.

[LauraNorder]

Has it only just started? GP probably won't prescribe anything and tell you to carry on with boiled water. I don't think you can buy drops for a child under 2 from a pharmacy either.

[Piffpaffpoff]

If you are BF, put some breastmilk on it. That works! Alternatively, GP - pharmacists don't seem to give out eye drops til child is 2yo.

[ninaandbean]

hmm only been 12 hours really, should I carry on with boiled water and review tomorrow? Not BF so no magic milk from me :(

[Piffpaffpoff]

What about putting a bit of salt in the water? I think I did that too although it was a while ago - we are now FINALLY past the magic age of two so can just rock up to the chemist and get the drops thank god. DD is very susceptible to gunky eye!

[BornToFolk]

GP. DS had a gummy eye from birth and the HVs kept saying it was just a blocked duct and to wash with cooled boiled water and breastmilk, which I did, but it didn't work. It didn't seem to bother him but it was constantly gummy. Eventually, I took him to the GP who took a swab, said it was probably an infection and prescribed some drops. The drops cleared it up in a day or so.

[alypaly]

Gp as pharmacy cant give to a child under 2 years old.