How to Soothe Pinkeye in Little Ones

Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a condition that affects the outer membrane of the eye, leading to redness, swelling and itchiness. Pinkeye is common in children because it is contagious, and your child may contract the condition from as little as touching their eyeball with a finger. Allergic reactions, illnesses such as the common cold or contact with some chemicals can also cause pinkeye, but, according to the doctors at Master Eye Associates, that most common forms of pinkeye are viral and bacterial conjunctivitis.

Tips for Relieving the Symptoms of Pinkeye

If your child has pinkeye, then there are a few things that you can do to alleviate their discomfort.

Tip One: Warm and Moist Compresses

Make several warm and moist compresses for your child’s eyes to soothe the irritation from pinkeye. Avoid using the same compresses on both eyes because you can transfer the pathogens that cause the condition. Throw away these compresses in a sealed plastic bag to avoid transferring the condition to other individuals in your home.

Tip Two: Soothing Eye Drops

A drugstore will have eye drops available without a prescription. These are a great way to reduce the inflammation from mild cases of conjunctivitis. When placing eye drops in your child’s eyes, avoid touching the tip of the container to their eyeball to prevent cross-contamination.

Tip Three: Honey Mixed with Warm Milk

Heat a small amount of milk to a low temperature before adding an equal amount of honey. Use an eyedropper to drip two or three drops of this mixture in your child’s infected eyes several times a day to provide relief from the inflammation. Honey has natural anti-bacterial and soothing properties that make it a good alternative to traditional treatments. If you are worried about this, however, consult your family physician before trying it.

Tip Four: Lime or Lemon Juice Mixture

Squeeze a fresh lime or lemon to use the juice for a compress on your child’s eye, but make sure to mix this citrus fruit juice with clean water to reduce its acidity. Use a piece of gauze to absorb the mixture before placing it for a few minutes on the eyelid of the infected eye. Be warned, however: this treatment does sting.

Prevent Contamination

The bacteria or viruses that cause conjunctivitis might be on items such as crayons, tabletops or toys, and pinkeye is prevalent in places such as day care facilities. To keep everyone in your family from contracting pinkeye, make sure to launder washcloths and towels in hot water as well as disinfect any surfaces that might be carrying the infection. The good news is that pinkeye, though uncomfortable, is not generally dangerous, and usually goes away by itself within ten days. If your little one gets pinkeye, keep them home from school and make them comfortable until it goes away.