18 month old has what i think is conjunctivitis- can't get doctors app

[Sunnysideup1998]

I'm pretty certain my child has conjunctivitis (she has had it before , although this time not as bad) i cannot get into the doctors, but I have been told before under 2 must see a doctor and is unable to get drops from pharmacy

any advise please? Should I ring 111?

She only needs to see a GP if it doesn’t clear up after 2 weeks. It’s only in babies under 6 weeks who need to see a doctor immediately.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/conjunctivitis/

Yes ring 111. They will either provide an appointment at your gp or a walk in clinic

This has happened to me a few times with my dc’s. What I do is go to the pharmacy, lie my arse off about who the eye drops are for, and give the baby the exact same eye drops that the doctor will have prescribed them in the first place. Mn is very anti lying though so I’ll get jumped on for this

Just tell the pharmacy she is two and buy the drops

Is her actual eye red? If it isn't its unlikely she needs drops. Just clean with warm water on a separate cotton pad for each eye

If you’re in the midlands a lot of pharmacies can supply free for this age https://www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-midlands-work/community-pharmacy-extended-care-services/pharmacies-providing-service-2022-2023/

The vast majority of conjunctivitis is viral, therefore does not require antibiotic drops. Just bathe frequently and you only need to see a HCP if it hasn’t cleared in 2 weeks.

The OTC stuff is exactly the same, they just won’t issue it if you say the child is under 2. So I just used to say that they were 2. The doctor wasn’t interested unless it had been 2 weeks but nursery would only let him attend with conjunctivitis if it was being treated, understandably since it can be contagious. So it was either lie or take 2 weeks off work!

Say they are 2yo. Or go and leave them at home. I never recommend people lie about medical issues, but this stuff is really straightforward.

Why do you think she needs to see a Dr?

My pharmacy has a prescriber there who gives drops for my 1yo when needed, but has also said it only clears eyes up 12h quicker than wiping with cool boiled water

I always thought conjunctivitis of any age was just flushed out with clean water.

They don’t give drops until 72hours now. Ridiculous because every time we’ve waited the three days and then we’ve needed two lots to clear it.

@RockAndRollerskate last time she needed drops, I was informed she needs to see a doctor under the age of 2 to her drops

My mum just popped to the pharmacy. Told them it was for 2 year old, she was told they don't sell drop over the counter at all now!

Boots online pharmacy still do them, so assuming they would also have in store??

Thyme tea!
anitseptic boil a cup of water, add sprig or loose thyme 1 tea, cook till yellow green, almost instant, cool, drain and keep in container, use cotton pad, apply as often as needed
works

Breast milk is the best thing for conjunctivitis. I was lucky 8n that I always had a BFing friend when my youngest was a baby, they express a bit into a jar and I'd keep it in the fridge as she always had conjunctivitis.