Gunky Eyes

[Plumm]

DD (4) has got a cold - stuffed nose rather than full on runny - and gunky eyes that are sticking together when she wakes up. She had the same thing earlier in the year and it cleared up by itself after a few days (she refused to use the eye drops i got her from the chemist).

My question is, is this conjunctivitis - and should I keep her away from other children? Or is it just what happens to her when she gets a cold?

It can be bacterial and is very infections so no sharing of towels, flannels etc. You can get chloremphenicol drops over the counter ('golden Eye')(for bacterial) for over 2s.

It often follows a cold, it can be viral but I'm not sure whether they rub their snotty nose and then their eyes! (yuk) or are just run down and get eye infections.

Regarding other children, I would ask the nursery what their policy is, but isolated cases can attend school, but hand washing is very important.

Thanks, sneezecakesmum. She's on school holiday now, but I don't want her to miss out on playing with friends over the holiday - she had impetigo over the summer holidays and i didn't let her see anyone (she's not as sickly as she sounds, honest!)

We are pretty scrupulous on hand washing, especially when she's got a cold. She's asked for eye drops this time, as it's bothering her during the day. I'll pop into the chemist tomorrow and see what I can get.

You're welcome!

ds had this a week or so ago. I got some cream from the doctor. It cleared up in around 3 days. He also had a virus.