Conjunctivitis, an eye infection more commonly known as pink eye, occurs in adults and children causing symptoms, such as eye itching, irritation, redness and eyelid inflammation. Your child may also experience excessive tearing and a thick drainage from her eyes. Conjunctivitis stems from a few different causes, but each type results in similar symptoms. An eye doctor can determine the type of conjunctivitis from examining your child's eyes. Knowing the different types may help you understand your child's condition.
Bacterial and Viral
Bacterial conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis may occur from infections such as that caused by forms of the flu or the common cold. These types of conjunctivitis pass easily from one person to another, so if your child attends school or goes to daycare she has a higher risk for having these forms. Children with pink eye may rub their eyes then touch a surface or a toy that your child later touches, passing on the infection. Talk to your child about frequent hand washing, and teach her not to rub her eyes or touch her face. This may help avoid contracting conjunctivitis.
Antibiotics help resolve bacterial infections, but viral forms of conjunctivitis need to resolve on their own.
Allergic
Reactions to pollen, pet dander or other allergens may cause the form of conjunctivitis known as allergic conjunctivitis. This form of conjunctivitis does not have contagious properties. Once you narrow down the allergens causing the eye symptoms you can help your child avoid contact with those allergen sources. If she experiences frequent or severe eye allergies or systemic allergy symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing and congestion, she may need to take an allergy medication to prevent a flare up. Allergy eye drops may also help prevent allergic conjunctivitis.
Chemical
Contact with chemicals may also cause conjunctivitis. If your child touches a household cleaner and then touches her eyes or if a chemical splashes into her eye, this may result in chemical conjunctivitis. Repeatedly splashing cool, clean water in her affected eye will help prevent damage to the eye's surface, but you should contact a doctor immediately or seek emergency care.
Blocked Tear Duct
Young children may experience a blocked tear duct that causes an eye infection. The tear duct is located in the corner of the eye nearest the nose, and a blockage or malformed duct will cause the tears to back up and sit stagnant. The stagnant tears in the duct create a prime place for bacteria to grow, often resulting in an infection. Once your child's pediatrician diagnoses a blocked duct she may recommend massaging the area to loosen the blockage. Antibiotics or other medications may be needed to treat the infection.
