Conjunctivitis.....can you buy over the counter remedy?

[Melly]

I think I've got a bit of conjunctivitis, eyes quite watery during the day and wake up with sticky eyes in the morning. My eyelids aren't really swollen, eyes just look a bit red and "smaller" than usual. Really don't want to faff about going to the GP but my Auntie said yesterday that you can buy something without prescription but she couldn't remember what it's called? Anyone know of anything?

Yes, Golden Eye is the one we use but I think there are others. It works a lot of the time but occasionally it doesn't and then you have to get a prescription for antibiotic eyedrops which have always worked within a day for mine.

If you don't want to give anything then sometimes you can clear it just by regular cleaning of the eye - the trick being to remove all the gunk every time. The more you do it the more likely it is to work.

Brolene eue drops - but they often aren't enough

Just to add that Brolene is good for adults, but that a pharmacist told me that if it is small children who have conjunctivitis than it is recommended that they see a GP to have it checked.

I know nobody believes me, heck I didn't believe it until we tried. Just that conjunctivitus usually goes away by itself, I've found (4x with DD). Just takes longer than if you use antibiotics, and may mean some painkillers if it's bothering you a lot. No need to buy anything!

saline wash works well for me

I believe you, zebra - its just that our nursery doesn't - we can only get him back in if he's on treatment!

Brolene stings!! Golden eye is god as it keeps the lid moist and stops the crusting that can hurt when trying to remove it.

You can also bathe your eye lid with borax dissoved in warm water, ask the pharmacist how much - I can't remember although I used to dispense!

Breast milk is supposed to be good if you have a baby and very amusing if you are trying to squirt it directly in their eye! Very weak tea is meant to be good as a wask as well. Use cotton wool dipped in warm water/tea and change after each wipe to avoid reinfection.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Will try the golden eye and simple bathing.