8 week old conjunctivitis and swollen eyelids

[worrywotsit]

My 8 week old has conjunctivitis and has been prescribed eye drops by the GP over the phone, his eyelids have really swollen though and the gp said if I think it's urgent then it's out of hours I need to contact now because of the time.

I don't know if it's urgent or if you'd expect swollen eyelids with conjunctivitis and if it's ok to leave overnight at this age? How do I know.. that's why I phoned them!

Do I phone OOH or wait til morning?!

Have they got a temperature? Do you breastfeed? Breast milk can help with it too. X

Personally I'd go in, he's really tiny and you don't bugger about with eyes, the risk is too high. Especially as your GP hasn't seen him, I'm surprised he didn't ask to see him tbh.

I know it can sometimes feel like you could be making a fuss over something little, but they never mind with little ones.

I've got 3 children and I've never once in 8 years been made to feel like I'm wasting anyone's time or shouldn't have gone to see a medical professional, no matter the problem.

Please go and get him checked out, for your peace of mind as much as anything. I'm not a worrier but I do tend to take a belt and braces approach with children's health, especially with such a tiny baby and especially when your gut instinct seems to be that something isn't right.

Hope you get seen quickly and baby is ok

At 8 weeks old I’d get him seen

They're swollen and gunky but not pink/red at all the whites are totally white which seems odd for conjunctivitis?!

GP wasn't bothered about seeing him said try the drops and if it doesn't get better in a few days to phone back. I guess I'm off to ring 111!

My 2 both got this as babies and my GP told me to use cooled boiled water and cotton wool to gently clean the gunk off their eyes eyes it might sooth the swelling a little too but if you really aren't happy take him to get seen

Sounds like manky eyes rather than conjunctivitis, though clearly am not a GP. DD had the same as a baby (18yrs ago .) and I came on here in a tizz looking for advice. Cue me expressing breast milk into a bowl to wipe her eyes with. It worked but not sure how orthodox it is! Anyway, v common, don't panic.

It's his lower eyelid that is swollen not the top if that makes a difference too! Really swollen poor mite waiting on a call back from OOH