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Worried about my babies eyes

5 replies

JKR123 · 23/09/2017 20:39

I'm really hoping someone might calm me down. I took my 6 month old to the GP yesterday afternoon because I think she's got conjunctivitis. I thought he would prescribe antibiotics for it but he didn't give me any prescription. It's been a bit worse today but only tonight when we have put her to bed (typical) that her eyes look awful. There is loads of yellow mucous in them and the whites look duller; I think a bit pink and sore looking. I tried bathing them with cool water from the kettle but I could not get rid of the mucous. The doctor said it would go away on its own. My eldest had this a couple of weeks ago (nowhere near as bad as this) - we were given Cloremphenicol (the ointment) which I still have in a draw but I don't want to give it to her as obviously I don't know if it's safe to. She was crying loads when I was bathing her eyes I don't know if it's because the water was cold; it was uncomfortable for her or if it's because she's really tired. I'm really worried because it looks awful and I'm scared it will affect her sight. She's already recovering from bronchiolitis it just seems to be one thing after another at the moment. Does anyone have any experience of this? The doctor said it will resolve on its own but I always worry when it's eyes. I wish I had pushed for him to prescribe the drops now. Why is it always the weekend these things happen.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Mooey89 · 23/09/2017 20:44

Put a little bit of bicarbonate of soda in boiled (cooled) water and wipe with cotton wool.

ShowOfHands · 23/09/2017 20:44

Conjunctivitis rarely needs antibiotics and will resolve by itself in 2 weeks in the vast majority of cases.

Conjunctivitis has been prescribed antibiotics as a matter of course for far too long and it's creating a resistance.

Keep bathing the eyes and give it some time.

StarfishSeahorse · 23/09/2017 20:48

Do you have any breast milk? It works wonders on conjunctivitis. If not cooled boiled water is the best thing so keep on with that and yes still-warm water would probably work better.

JKR123 · 23/09/2017 20:51

Thank you. I totally understand about the thing with antibiotics. Hopefully I'm just panicking unnecessarily.

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JKR123 · 23/09/2017 20:53

Starfish yes she's breastfed. That's a good idea, I will try that tomorrow.

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