Just hoping someone can help me with my DD’s eyes

[Pluckyduck]

Hi there, I’m at the end of my tether and posting here in desperation in case someone has experienced this and can shed any light.
Mid October by 3 year old dd wakes up with slightly crusty eyes, but not conjunctivitis crust (have experienced this before). Then they started watering, clear water mainly out of one eye. Put it down to a cold she had, but it never went away. November, GP prescribed antibiotic eye drops- they don’t work. December he tried opticrom allergy as by this point there was some white mucus also. This didn’t work, so he referred us to the hospital eye clinic.

They diagnosed allergic conjunctivitis due to seeing nodules. However there has never been any itchiness or rubbing of eyes or reddening of cornea. Anyway, FmL eye drops prescribed for two weeks over Xmas.

These did work to stop the watering (which by now was distressing my DD). So good on that front. However we finished the drops and she’s still not right. Her eyes keep clearly getting irritated by something (they go red on the eyelid rims and she blinks a lot). Sometimes the corners of the eyes look red and the skin at the outer corner too. However no watering now. The follow up appointment dr didn’t want to prescribe anything else and to wait and see as you the nodules has improved. The orange eye dye test was also all fine. We have another appointment this week (telephone only).

However, I just am not happy with her having this happen on a daily basis. There’s something still going on and I’m fed up. I have tried everything I can think of.

Fresh air and regular antihistamine seems to help. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Thank you.

[Nets888]

Look up blepharitis. Does it match you dd's symptoms?

[Pluckyduck]

Forgot to add we have tried all I can think of

• air purifier
  
• dehumidifier
  
• humidifier
  
• anti allergy bedding
  
• hoovering daily
  
• washing with non bio at 90 degrees

[Pluckyduck]

@Nets888

Look up blepharitis. Does it match you dd's symptoms?

Hi yes I did consider this but the symptoms don’t seem to match and the eye clinic didn’t diagnose it.

[PlanDeRaccordement]

Allergic conjunctivitis means she’s allergic to something in her environment. Since you said fresh air and antihistamine works, it is likely something in the home. Have you also tried

• eliminating perfume
  
• stopping any air freshners, or diffuser sticks, scented candles, etc
  
• do you have a pet? If allergic to pet, if she touches pet or pet dander and then touches her face, her eyes will react.

[SoddingWeddings]

Could it be a food allergy rather than an environmental one?

[Pluckyduck]

@PlanDeRaccordement

Allergic conjunctivitis means she’s allergic to something in her environment. Since you said fresh air and antihistamine works, it is likely something in the home. Have you also tried

• eliminating perfume
• stopping any air freshners, or diffuser sticks, scented candles, etc
• do you have a pet? If allergic to pet, if she touches pet or pet dander and then touches her face, her eyes will react.

Hi I wear no perfume, I’ve removed all plants, candles etc, and we have no pet. We don’t have carpets downstairs etc. It’s so annoying as I wish I could easily identify what it is!

[Pluckyduck]

@SoddingWeddings

Could it be a food allergy rather than an environmental one?

I have considered it but we haven’t done anything different food wise and she’s never had this issue before in her 3 nearly 4 years.. I wouldn’t know where to start on this, do I just start eliminating things? I’ve looked back and can’t see any specific trigger or change..

[SoddingWeddings]

Allergies can appear from apparently nowhere, or can have cumulative effects with mild unnoticed symptoms building up the more you are exposed to the allergen.

Have a chat with the specialists, but you'd want guidance from a dietician to run an elimination diet, particularly for a young child to ensure they get all nutrients.

Maybe cut out dairy as the priority and see if it helps? I understand you would see very quick changes if you get the right allergen identified.

[PlanDeRaccordement]

Hmm. How long has it been since you removed all that? I’ve had allergic conjunctivitis many times and it can take a few weeks after exposure to the allergen to get back to normal. Re-Reading your OP your DD seems to be less irritated and improving so it may be a case of you’ve solved it and just need another week or two to get her back to normal?

[Pluckyduck]

Thank you SoddingWeddings I will try that

[Pluckyduck]

@PlanDeRaccordement

Hmm. How long has it been since you removed all that? I’ve had allergic conjunctivitis many times and it can take a few weeks after exposure to the allergen to get back to normal. Re-Reading your OP your DD seems to be less irritated and improving so it may be a case of you’ve solved it and just need another week or two to get her back to normal?

It’s been at least a month since removing all of those things..she is improved in that there is no crustyness or watering but the aggravation is clearly still there...what if she is allergic to something I can’t easily change or identify like paint etc?! Its been 10 days since stopping the steroid drops.

[PlanDeRaccordement]

A month is long enough, you are right.

It is like being a detective to try and find out what is causing it. I do agree with SoddingWedding that you should explore food allergies too.
Perhaps best thing might be a referral to a specialist to run allergy tests on her.

However, if you can’t determine what it is soon, the worst case is she takes an antihistamine until you do. Some oral and eye drop ones are approved for long term use. So you could ask about that too if she is clearly in any suffering from eye itchiness or dryness.