conjunctivitis advice...

[TheJen]

DS (9months) has woken this morning with red swollen eye and thick discharge (yuk!) Am guessing its conjunctivitis (can't get to Dr's so am waiting for them to call back but this might be this afternoon). Does anyone know whether I can buy ointment over the counter for babies? Also, have entire family including 7 babies arriving for Christmas tomorrow and now sure whether we should cancel. Aparently nursery lets them back 24 hours after treatment so this suggests to me that after this its not contageous... any ideas? Will have to let everyone know asap which is why I can't wait for Dr's to call back...help!

Call a phrmacist - they do some really good stuff over the counter, usually drops. I'm not sure about babies but they'll be able to help you. I've found that usually once you start with the drops it clears up really quickly.

Camomile tea - cooled obviously to wash the eye until you can get the antibiotics or if you are into naturopathy an 'eye bright' wash. Some people use these instead of going down the antibiotic route ...

You can only get the drops over the counter for an over 2's
You need a prescription for under 2's
But if you aren't going anywhere where you can comtaminate other children you can leave it and just wiped with coled boiled water or some recommend salt water.

You can get over the counter treatments, but i was told if the infection has come out too far iyswim you will need a perscription from Gp.

I got over the counter treatment when DD was a baby

really? my pharmacy said not for under 2s, and my gp said the same

They gave me some ointment, cant remember what it was called now though, but they did say it would only work at first signs of infection, maybe different for full on infection?
We had to take Dd to hospital with it once.

DD (11 months) just got over conjunctivits. You can't get anything over the counter for babies that age and my doctor would not prescribe anything either.

Keep bathing will cooled boiled water and cotton wool to keep them clean.

Apart from that there is not much you can do - DD's last about 5 days - gradually getting a bit better each day.

Don't know what to suggest re other babies - DD caught it at nursery and carried on going in when she had it - I think you just have to get on with things really - maybe let the other parents know and leave it up to them to decide whether to risk it.

I always find Piriton helps but I'm not sure what age you can use it from. Other than that cooled boiled water using separate cotton wool for each eye.
Hope you get into see the doctor.

As long as no one touches his eyes and used different towel from him I dont see the problem with having people over. It is not life threatening and most kids catch it at some time.

Does he have a cold?

Sometimes noses overflow!

Cooled boiled water is good plan - use each piece of cotton wool once only, and make sure you use one hand for squeezing out the cotton wool and the other for wiping. Wipe from inside to out, iyswim.

Thanks... spoke to dr who thought his nose might be overflowing (LOL WanderingH)... it's pretty puffy though and she has phoned a prescription through to local pharmacy incase I need it over the festivities... what do you all think? Wait til it gets really bad or use the antibiotics straight away? Think I will try the chamomile. I've let the extended family know and some are coming, some aren't! Fine by me... cooking for 14 was a bit much TBH!