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Children's health

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Original poster

DD has conjuctivitis- I can't take her to the playground, can I?

24 replies

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:07

Argh. She started going to a playgroup a couple of weeks ago and laready had D&V, now this.

I know it's contagious, so probably it's a no no for the park, but thought I would ask here, as she wants to go.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:09

bump

OP posts:

CandiceMariePratt · 04/05/2011 14:11

I think as long as it is being treated then she is not contagious. My dd was allowed back to playgroup once she had started the clorophencol(sp)

monkeyfacegrace · 04/05/2011 14:12

Id take her, but Im prob going to get flamed for saying that. I figure of all the germs in the park, conj is the least of your worries.

In fact, its not even an exclusion at my nursery.
Its a lush day, the poor lamb is fighting itchy eyes. Take her to play, and get her an ice cream while you are there

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:15

Oooh, I like hearing that, monkey. I'm not treating it, tbh, just washing the gunk away with water.

At the same time I wouldn't want other kids to get it, although it's like a cold, isn't it and you would take a child with a cold to the playground. Hmm. Will other parents give me evil looks?

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GrimmaTheNome · 04/05/2011 14:15

Wash her hands before you go, make sure she keeps them out of her eyes till you leave - then she's pretty unlikely to spread the infection, isn't she?

GrimmaTheNome · 04/05/2011 14:17

winny, you really should get some treatment for her, from my experience it really does help.

Mobly · 04/05/2011 14:19

I would take her to the playground to be honest. I would also get the ointment from the GPs- it's soothing and it will clear up more quickly.

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:19

Oh really? I thought that ABs only shortened it by a day or two? Going to the doctor will be a bit of a hassle at the mo. Shall I wait til tomorrow and see how it is? It's in both eyes now and gunky, but she seems fine iyswim.

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Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:20

x-post with Mobly. Ok, will call the doctor.

OP posts:

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:25

Just did and she told me to get stuff at the chemists and if it doesn't clear up in a few days to call her and get px for ABs.

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RockStockandTwoOpenBottles · 04/05/2011 14:25

DD1 and DD3 have always been prone to it, but the two in the middle never caught it. I would get a supply of ointments from doc, then you can treat as and when it appears. The little tubes can only really be used for a month after opening. Put it on at night and again in the morning and in the day time just use some saline to gently wipe. I WOULD go to the park - she's not going to be sticking her fingers in other eyes . Ointment generally clears it up in 12-24 hours, but use it for a couple or 3 extra days anyway.

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 14:29

Ok, great, thank you all.

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MrsMoppet · 04/05/2011 14:32

You can get the chlora-whatsit eyedrops over the counter at the chemist - Optrex do them - just don't tell the pharmacist that they are for a child under the age of 2 (actually, sorry is your daughter older than that? not sure) - they are exactly the same eyedrops as the doctor would prescribe.

I don't want to revive the chickenpox debate here but OP, please treat the conjunctivitis. It won't magically get better on its own and yes, it is contagious.

If you're treating with drops, and if you put sunglasses on your daughter to minimise the spread of contagion, I'd have no problem with meeting you in the park. However, as the friend of someone who only has one eye, conjunctivitis can be really horrible for some people (I know it can't cause birth defects/death but it can be highly unpleasant, especially if you don't have another eye to see out of!) so you would be acting in a socially responsible way if you treated it.

My DH wasn't allowed to go to work (he's a teacher) when he caught conjunctivitis from our DCs. He even offered to wear an eye patch but they said no. School insisted he had to treat with chlora-whatsit before being allowed back to work.

MrsMoppet · 04/05/2011 14:32

sorry OP, I x-posted with you

DBennett · 04/05/2011 19:56

Common bacterial conjunctivitis is self limiting, the chloramphenicol eye drops do speed resolution but not by very much overall.

It's also not especially contagious (viral can be) and you're very unlikely to inflict it on other children at the park, assuming minimal of physical contact.

Original poster

winnybella · 04/05/2011 23:21

We didn't go to the park in the end, just for a little walk and to a toy shop where I bought her a xylophone and a drum. I am already regretting it

But, more to the point, how the hell do you administer the drops to a toddler? I tried but even in a headlock she kept trashing about, turning her head, closing her eyes etc. Argh.

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DBennett · 05/05/2011 17:41

Yep, one of the reasons why it might be best to let the infection burn itself out.

You might try getting her to close her eyes and putting a drop on the place where the lids meet.
When she opens her eyes, the drop should go in.

But there are lots of different ways, others may have better advice.

RockStockandTwoOpenBottles · 05/05/2011 19:07

You need two people!! Though I find the ointment is a. easy to get in and b. ime works better.

Original poster

winnybella · 05/05/2011 20:44

The pharmacist told me that they don't prescribe ointment for conjuctivitis in France

I managed to get the drops in today, but her eyes are still red and oozing yellowy green stuff. Is it ok to wait til Monday to see a doctor? She said if it doesn't go away til Friday to call her for an appointment- that would be just 4 days, though. It usually lasts 5-7 days, right?

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RockStockandTwoOpenBottles · 05/05/2011 20:49

Que? They do in Spain - can't you nip over! I would go and see the doc to be honest. She's only small and 4 days is a long time. Have you got some saline to try and clean them a bit. How odd they don't prescribe ointment there. It works so well for DD3. 5-7 days is quite a while - but I always use the ointment at first sign and it's gone in 24 hours.

Original poster

winnybella · 05/05/2011 21:10

That's what the doctor said- as she's only 2, she would prefer to see her if it goes longer than few days. Will call tomorrow.

Yes, I'm using saline and also the pharmacist gave me some borax drops to go with the antiseptic ones. I have just managed to get all the crust out of her eyelashes-vile stuff.

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RockStockandTwoOpenBottles · 05/05/2011 21:25

Poor little thing. I think seeing doc tomorrow is sensible - same age as my DD3, I'd do the same if it was just not clearing. Hope she's clear of it soonest, and try get a script for spare ointment from the doc (if pharm won't give it) and then keep it in the fridge for when there's a next time. Just for info - when DDs 1 and 3 get it, they usually have a run every 4/5 weeks over a couple or three months and then nothing for 6-8 months iyswim.

Original poster

winnybella · 05/05/2011 21:33

Will ask doctor for ointment.

I was always soooo smug about DD's immune system (still bf, never ill etc) and now 2 weeks into the playgroup she's already had D&V and conjuctivitis

Thanks for advice

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RockStockandTwoOpenBottles · 05/05/2011 22:35

That'll teach ya!! IME, the more crap they get out the way while they're small, the better immunity they have when they're bigger. My teens had everything going up til about the age of 6 and are now very very rarely ill. Playgroup - if one's got it, they'll all have some form of it.

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