Conjunctivitis! Pharmacy closed, what can I do NOW?

[MitziKinsky]

Just come home to see DS2 has a very red eye (apparently it was itchy this morning but he didn't tell me!) I usually keep Brolene in for such occasions, but have non ATM. What can I do?

Is it inevitable that he'll need to stay off school (and me off work to look after him) tomorrow?

Mix warm water with a tiny bit of salt, and gently wipe the eyes (closed from tops of the lids down over the eye lashes onto the cheek). Only use each ball of cotton wool once (to stop spread of the infection). Do this every hour or so until bedtime. If its bad in the morning then yes, you will have to keep him off school as its very infectious.
Hope he's better tomorrow.

Yes you should keep him off tomorrow as it is very infectious and most school / nursery have a 24/48 hr policy after starting eye drops.

Was about to suggest the salt water trick too:) just checked NHS direct though and it suggests you might not need to keep him off school see www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Conjunctivitis-infective/Pages/Prevention.aspx

Can you check with school?

Recent research shows that antibiotics dont actually decrease the infection time for conjunctivitis so just let it play out. There was no diff between the patients who used abs and those who didn't. Wash the pillows to try to stop cross contamination or spreading it around family (I'm not a doc but read the research after mine got it)

Thank you. Have wiped with salt water. Fingers crossed for the morning!

Ring the out of hours doctor they'll see you tonight?