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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my 24 month old to a pharmacist instead

60 replies

Emmmie · 08/04/2023 17:35

My 24 month old has woken up with a slight redness in the white of her eye and a bit of mucousy discharge. I am suspecting pink eye.

NHS suggests that this can be treated by a pharmacist for children over 2. However, the 111 is sending us to the A&E! I don't want my otherwise healthy baby to pick up a more serious illness in the A&E waiting room. Besides, we would be able to see the pharmacist sooner.

Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
gonkk · 08/04/2023 23:57

Your child is two.

And she's not a baby.

YABU.

Original poster
Emmmie · 09/04/2023 02:49

Thank you for taking the time to answer and offer helpful advice.

The pharmacist confirmed conjunctivitis and prescribed some treatment. She also told me not to worry as this will most likely get better on its own. The little one doesn't even seem to notice anything is going on and isn't rubbing or touching her eye which is a good thing.

I did call both 111 and A&E to let them know we weren't coming and explained that my daughter has already been seen by a pharmacist.

P.S. I know she is not a baby, but she is still my baby. I hope that makes sense.

OP posts:
Gothambutnotahamster · 09/04/2023 02:59

Glad she's sorted Op.

Inyournewdress · 09/04/2023 03:20

Glad you have some treatment OP.

Conjunctivitis can be an emergency. My dd has had it twice and the first time we went to a GP who was concerned by it and felt it wasn’t a normal presentation and sent us to urgent care there and then. In fact urgent care were reassured that the feared complications weren’t an issue but still, it had been medical directions that sent us there. The second time I was going to make a GP appointment but was then advised by several people to go to an and e because her eyes totally bloodshot and so swollen she could barely open them. They advised us that when it is that bad there can be serious complications due to proximity to the brain, thankfully they thought she hadn’t reached that and could be treated normally but they said it was urgent to be seen. Also of course swollen eyes can be an allergic reaction.

PinkButtercups · 09/04/2023 05:25

gonkk · 08/04/2023 23:57

Your child is two.

And she's not a baby.

YABU.

That was a really helpful comment.

MathsNervous · 09/04/2023 06:10

HiImTheProblemItsMe · 08/04/2023 18:19

My 3 dc have all had conjunctivitis under 2 - I've just wiped them with cooled boiled water and it's always cleared up within 48 hours. I'd just do that.

My 6yo had this last week and I also used cooled boiled water with a cotton pad to gently swipe over his eye. All cleared up the next day.

MathsNervous · 09/04/2023 06:19

Glad your 2yo has got treatment now. Hope it clears up quickly.

SoShallINever · 09/04/2023 16:25

Glad that you've got her sorted and glad you rang A and E, to avoid a safeguarding call tomorrow, wondering why you didn't take the advice of 111.

rainingsnoring · 09/04/2023 19:29

SoShallINever · 09/04/2023 16:25

Glad that you've got her sorted and glad you rang A and E, to avoid a safeguarding call tomorrow, wondering why you didn't take the advice of 111.

Using your common sense to treat a minor illness is not a safeguarding concern.

AffableApple · 10/04/2023 14:41

rainingsnoring · 08/04/2023 22:42

They aren't doctors! That's the whole point. They are mostly non clinically trained and work by protocol which is why they often suggest ED/ ambulances that are unnecessary and would not be suggested by experienced clinicians.

Show quote history

Agreed, but this was a doctor who called back after we were "triaged". Hours later. Waste of time all round. Downright dangerous too. My baby needed her medicine.

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