Pink eye, an eye infection also known as conjunctivitis, can affect a person of any age. Parents can have a more difficult time identifying the early signs of pink eye, particularly in young children, and knowing the symptoms of this common condition may help you identify the infection before the condition worsens. Certain types of pink eye may resolve without treatment, but you should contact your doctor at the first sign to determine the cause and whether treatment may help ease your child's discomfort.
Step 1
Look for visible signs of the infection. As the name indicates, pink eye often causes redness. Initially, you might see only mild pink discoloration, but as the infection progresses the white of the eye may appear significantly red. Your child's eyelids may also turn pink and swell. Pink eye often causes a thick, mucous-like discharge, and your child might wake up in the morning with the infected eye matted closed.
Step 2
Watch your child's physical gestures such as eye rubbing. Pink eye typically results in itching and irritation. In a young child who cannot communicate his eye discomfort, eye rubbing may appear as the first sign of irritation. If he feels pain from the infection, a young child may also cry or scream. In such cases, look for the visible signs of an infection and contact your child's pediatrician.
Step 3
Contact your doctor if your child displays any signs of pink eye. The only true way to know if your child has pink eye is through an evaluation by a doctor. She will examine your child's eyes with special instruments that allow a magnified look at the surface of the eye. As part of the examination, the doctor can not only determine the presence of an infection, but also whether the infection stems from an allergic reaction, bacteria, fungi or a virus such as the common cold.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child wakes up with her eyelids matted together, do not pry her lids apart. Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and gently hold against the eye. The moisture will loosen the dried discharge and allow the eyelid to open easily.
- The viral form of pink eye is highly contagious. If your child rubs her eyes, have her wash her hands frequently to help prevent passing the infection to other members of your household.
