Conjunctivitis - im giving drops and bathing in salt water, what else can I do?

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

My ds(2) has really bad conjunctivitis. Hes been on antibiotic drops since monday, and ive been bathing his eyes in salt water. Hes very grumpy with it, and it just doesnt seem to be getting better very quickly. Took him back to the docs today and he said that it could take five to seven days for it to clear up.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for anything else i can do in the mean time to help it clear up quickly?

[NorktasticNinja]

Poor wee boy. Breast milk works like a charm, if you can get your hands on any...

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

I heard that, but unfortunately, i havent fed him for a good few months, and I dont know anyone who i feel i could ask for a donation lol

[Sawyer64]

Try "Milking" the Tear Duct as this gets "gunked up".

Rub your little finger very firmly from the corner of ds's eye diagonally down to their cheek bone.

Do this a few times a day.

If you do this as soon as their eye looks a little sticky,you probably won't need Antibiotics.

Remember its very infectious,so seperate flannel,towels etc. and wash your hands afterwards.

[bubblagirl]

my ds has just got over this in both eyes was really yucky for 4-5 days i bathed it in the night to un stick them and used drop were on day 7 and next to no sign of it at all now cleaned regularly in the day also it just clears itself up genuinely they dont give drops anymore for this but my gp did as ds ASD

but it did take 4-5 days before any sign of it going day 7 just slight hard green gunk thats it nothing much at all

[bubblagirl]

i made sure ds wiped his hands after touching his eyes obviously not every time but when i see him do it

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

thanks bubblagirl,thats reassuring. I am a childminder and have had to cancel care all week, so feel terrible for the parents of mindees.

[bubblagirl]

its not your fault so dont feel to bad im sure they would rather that than there children getting it

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

thanks, you're right, thay have been all really lovely about it, so dont know why im feeling so guilty really, like you say, it cant be helped!!!

[Boco]

My dd has just had it, but viral rather than bacterial, and the GP recommended I bathe her eyes in cool black tea. It does seem much better, don't know if it was the tea, but can't hurt to try?

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

ohh thanks boco, am willing to try anything, will give it a go when he wakes up from his nap....

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

he has woken up and has it in the other eye now too

[DesperateHousewifeToo]

It's really hard to keep it out of the other eye with little ones.

Just keep bathing them, with separate cotton wool and water. Wash your hands regularly too.

Wash his hands regularly and any toys that might come into conact.

Hopefully, you have caught the other eye early and you can 'nip it in the bud'.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

fingers crossed, yeah.
I tried Boco's tip about the tea before bed...cleaned the eyes up nicely, and ds was very excited about using "Mummy's Tea!!!!!" to wash his eyes with. He was much better with his drops and said "brave boy" after