Do you ALWAYS have to go to GP for conjunctivitus?

[itchyandscratchy]

or is there an over-the-counter remedy? What's the difference between viral and bacterial? Can the GP see the diff or is it trial and error with prescribing antibiots?

At moment it's not too bad, just watery eyes and occasional pale green globs of sleep (yuk -sorry!) She's got a bit of a cold as well. (Dd2 that is, aged 3)

I've got drops from the pharmacist before. DD was 4 at the time.

How long has she had it? My GP won't prescribe until after a week of symptoms as it's generally self limiting.

In Herts the pharmacsits can prescribe it for you, not sure where else in the country. You can buy over the counter remidies just ask the pharamcist.

You can get chloramphenicol drops from the pharmacist instead of going to the GP. My pharmacist has been happy to give us these since my DD was 2 -it's what the GP was prescribing anyway.

oh good. Can't wait a week! already having a stress about which days dh and I should have off

she's only started with the green gunk today. She felt unwell enough to miss childminder's this morning - high temp etc but has eaten really well and is happily playing with dd1 now. But eyes are starting to get in a state in past hour or so.
am in midlands

that's all good news. Thanks MrsHappy will write name down. Fingers crossed!

advice is not to treat nowadays.

I am using cooled boiled water with a little saltand wiping with cotton wool frequently

same as mrshappy - the pharmacist gave me some of that stuff beginning with C and said that 90% of the time it was what the GP would prescribe - this was confirmed by the GP when i took ds to see him 2 days later!
You have to make sure you finish the course though, as it is antbiotic.