3yr old has conjunctivitis - any recommended remedies??

[cloudydaze]

Hello
DS1 seems to have a case of conjunctivitis, was fine when woke up but think from being outside in the wind for a few hours (& with mild cold) it's flared up. Just doing the cool boiled water but wondering if anyone has any other tips/suggestions to nip it in the bud.
Many thanks!

[NorktasticNinja]

Breast milk works like magic, on the off chance you've got some...

[RubberDuck]

Golden Eye - though check with the pharmacist that it's okay for 3 year olds. It cleared up ds2's conjunctivitis in 2 days.

[meep]

take him to the seaside - only thing that cleared my dd2's up! Seriously though I think saline/salt solution can help but I don't know the quantities of salt to water - chemist might be able to help?

[cloudydaze]

Thanks v much for the responses. Seaside bit far away from us unfort! Was thinking of putting some salt in the water, might just try it with a very small amount. No breast milk here NN, not 'til next year

[dangskuLLANDBoneym]

Probably not recommended, especially for a 3yo but my mother always used a hot flannel for our sticky or pink eyes. Flannel under the hot tap/kettle, let it cool until you can stand it, then apply. I don't know whether the heat is actually sufficient to kill off the bacteria, or is potentilaly too dangerous. I don't think I'd try it with a 3 yo but works for grown-ups

I suppose you're looking for answers other than 'go to GP' but when 2mo DD had a snotty cold and conjunctivitis and cooled boiled water didn't do the trick (and before I'd figured out the logisitics of squirting breasmilk in a controlled way ), the GP prescribed Fucithalmic viscous eye drops (fusidic acid). They worked but they did not make for a happy baby. I think you can buy it over the counter but need to check ok for 3yos (would think so if ok for 2mo).

I tried it myself a couple of times (out of same tube, didn't read the 'check first if you're bf' advice) when I had persistent pinkeye and the hot flannel didn't work. The first time, it worked but stung and I retropectively felt like a very mean mama. The second time I barely felt it.

[SydneyB]

If he's 3 you can get Chloramphenicol from the chemist without prescription. I think the rule is once they're 2. It works instantly.

[EightiesChick]

My nearly 10 mo old is currently having Chloramphenicol (on prescription) and it worked like magic overnight! Didn't know about breast milk or I'd have tried a squirt If you can get chloramphenicol without a prescription, I'd do so right away.

[SydneyB]

I always have an unopened one in the medicine cabinet for those sunday morning outbreaks. Naughty I know but I've got it for my 1 yr old before by pretending its for my 2 yr old.. just to save all that faffing at GP.