How long does conjunctivitis last for?

[jumpyjan]

Poor DD has come down with conjunctivitis this morning - it looks like a pretty bad case as her eyes look swollen, red and gunky.

Doctors won't prescribe anything so just bathing with water at the mo - does anyone know how long it will be before it clears up?

Also any top tips for soothing the eyes?

It will last roughly a week without treatment. Are you breastfeeding by any chance? A squirt of breastmilk in the eye works wonders! I also find brolene drops work quite well. You can get them OTC.

Thanks chipmonkey - been to 2 chemists and neither will give anything as she is only ten months.

Not breastfeeding anymore so can't try that either!

Doctor suggested wiping eyes with water and a little shampoo and that seems to work well - surprisingly she is not bothered by it either.

Am hoping it will be a bit better tomorrow....

Just keep bathing with warm boiled water. Should clear up next day or day after. Make sure you wash your hands after and don't use any towels that she has been using to avoid spreading to your eyes (as I once did and should have known better being a contact lens wearer !)

Thanks sarah - I have got it a bit but its not too bad - not as bad as poor dd.

She is due to go to nursery tomorrow so am hoping that won't be a problem. she seems happy enough in herself just upset when she wakes and her eyes are all crusty - poor thing.

I have some spare breat milkI'll squirt in her eye

sorry joking aside
It took more than a week with gecko who is also 10 months but I was using breast milk and bathing

You may want to phone nursery in the morning as they might not accept her if she has it! They sent me and ds home when I dared to take him, even though he'd stopped being gunked up!