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Original poster

Conjunctivitis - what's it like?

11 replies

joelalie · 03/04/2006 09:16

Hi,

can anyone enlighten me please? I have a problem with my eyes atm - they are weeping all the time and and my eyelids are swollen. It looks as if I've been crying for days. I did wonder about conuunctivitis but they aren't particularly sore or itchy.

I've got all three kids with me atm so I really don't want to have to visit the GP if I don't have to!!! Just wondered if anyone had any ideas.

Thanks

OP posts:
jmum6 · 03/04/2006 09:21

If they're gloopy and sticky then it sounds like conjunctivitis but if it's clear tears it could be an allergy or the start of a cold coming.

Ds had this with clear tears and dr said to wipe eyes with saline solution made up of a cup of boiled water with 1 teaspoon of salt in it. He would only need antibiotic eye drops if the discharge was mucky, yellow and gloopy.

It turned out that ds was coming down with a cold and this was how it came out with him before the runny nose!

SoupDragon · 03/04/2006 09:23

1teaspoon of bicarb of soda in a pint of boiled water (cooled, obviously :o) used as an eyebath is good. Works for conjunctivitis too.

Original poster
joelalie · 03/04/2006 09:23

Ah thanks Jmum6,

it is thick and gloopy (DS#1 said I had 'snot' in my eyes yesterday - little angel !!!)I was just under the impression that conjunctivitis was really painful. I've tried salty water - perhaps I should just persist.

OP posts:
Original poster
joelalie · 03/04/2006 09:24

Bicarb...OK, I'll give that a go too.

Thanks Soupdragon

OP posts:
jmum6 · 03/04/2006 09:27

Oh dear it does sounds like conjunctivitis then. If salt water or bicarb doesn't work then drs is probably your best bet.

It's really contagious too!

NotActuallyAMum · 03/04/2006 09:29

I once got it 4 times in 18 months - it isn't always painful but it can be

If it is conjunctivitis you can now buy "Optrex Infected Eyes" over the counter at the chemist - works a treat and cheaper than a prescription

hulababy · 03/04/2006 09:32

I had conjunctivitus last month, a week after DD having it. Neither of us were in pain but are eyes were really sticky. I went to the Gps with it and got antibiotic drops. They cleared DD's eyes within a couple of days. Mine took longer and it the infection went into my throat and ears, but again I took the drops.

I can't see the point in suffering if you can help it. I couldn't have imagined now going for the GP drops, which are stronger than the over the counter ones.

donnie · 03/04/2006 09:43

if your eyes are very sore you may have a condition called iritis (sp?) which I had several years ago, it's like a bad dose of conjunctivitis but the eyeballs are very sore and infected and I needed antibiotics plus drops. I would see the GP even though it is a hassle just in case.

Original poster
joelalie · 03/04/2006 09:49

Thanks everyone.

I think a visit to the GPs is probably in order - I look absolutely dreadful and the kids keep asking me why I'm crying. I'm more worried about passing it on to them than anything else.

Do I have to chuck out all my eye make-up btw? I've just bought a new mascara (a rare event in this house Sad

OP posts:
hulababy · 03/04/2006 09:50

I didn't throw anything away like that. I just didn't wear any make up until it had completely gone.

NotActuallyAMum · 03/04/2006 10:02

Same as hulababy - didn't even occur to me to throw make-up away tbh and I never suffered as a result

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