Conjunctivitis = docs & drops?

[74slackbladder]

Does a child always need to see doc with conjunctivitis. DD 11months I think has it but cant remember if its the kind of thing that will clear up on its own...?

Rarely does infective conjunctivitis need drops. I've been reading up about it recently as it was going round dd's preschool (sure enough she has it atm). I've been wiping with warm water and cotton wool (different piece for each eye) and sure enough the gunk has cleared up and while they're still watery and a bit red, the itch has gone and it's clearing on its own. I asked the doc too (dd has an ear infection so we were there anyway) and he said the same. To give it 3 days (assuming no foul green pus or pain/discomfort beyond the mild itch) and expect an improvement. No improvement and straight back.

NHS page on conjunctivitis

"Infective conjunctivitis rarely requires medical treatment. If the infection is not caused by an STI, it will normally heal by itself within one or two weeks."

I always wash his eyes with cool boiled water and generally it is cleared in 48 hours, only once has he needed drops.

thanks folks. managed to get her an appt at docs this pm anyway, just to be on safe side, she has been rather run down of late anyway, so i guess best to get her checked over.

The being a bit run down is a good sign that it's viral conjunctivitis. Usually coincides with coughs/colds/general malaise.

The doc will probably prescribe drops as I think a lot of them do it as default. Up to you whether you give them though.