Sinusitis

How to treat conjunctivitis in infants. Conjunctivitis in newborns

Few people in childhood are spared such a disease as conjunctivitis. Even children, whom caring parents cannot take their eyes off, are not immune from rubbing their eyes with dirty hands, and there is no way to hide from dust in windy weather. In view of this, it is necessary to know how conjunctivitis manifests itself in newborns and how it is treated.

Symptoms of the disease

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the conjunctiva of the eye; in other words, the mucous membrane of the eye becomes inflamed. Although the eyelids and tear fluid create mechanical barriers to infection, when the immune system is weakened, bacteria and viruses attack mercilessly. Sometimes the disease is allergic in nature.

Although the baby cannot yet say what exactly is bothering him, with this disease the result, as they say, is “obvious”, or rather, before our eyes. So, signs of conjunctivitis in an infant:

eyes turn red and swell;
possible formation of yellow crusts on the eyelids, especially in the morning, discharge of pus from the eyes;
after sleep, it is difficult to open the eyelids, they are literally glued together;
the baby is capricious in bright lighting due to photophobia;
sleeps poorly, appetite reduced.

Children who have learned to speak will complain of pain, a burning sensation in the eyes, as if something had gotten there. Vision temporarily deteriorates and becomes blurry. In infants, the clinical picture is much more pronounced than in adults: swelling from the eyes can spread to the cheeks, and an increase in body temperature is possible.

Classification

Conjunctivitis, of course, should be treated by a doctor. But if, due to circumstances, it is impossible to quickly seek medical help, you need to help the child before the medical examination. To do this, it is important to know the types of conjunctivitis, because, depending on the pathogen, treatment will differ.

Bacterial conjunctivitis- there is pus, the eyelids stick together, the conjunctiva and the skin around the eye are dry. At first, as a rule, only one eye becomes inflamed, and later the infection spreads to the second.

Viral conjunctivitis- a companion to ARVI, that is, it occurs along with high fever, runny nose and sore throat. The lesion always begins in one eye, quickly moving to the second, while the discharged fluid is clear and abundant. Eyelashes do not stick together.

Allergic conjunctivitis- clear liquid flows from the peephole, I really want to rub the affected area. Often accompanied by frequent sneezing. Symptoms go away if the allergen is removed.

How to treat

If you start treatment on time and correctly, you can cope with the disease in 2 days. The problem is that not all medications are suitable for treating a one-month-old baby.

The basis of therapy is eye rinsing (if there is pus), after which eye drops are used depending on the type of infection and the age of the patient. Let's consider what effective remedies are used in the treatment of children under one year old.

When is conjunctivitis bacterial?

For bacterial infections, use anti-conjunctivitis drops that contain an antibiotic. These include:

Phloxal. The active ingredient is ofloxacin. Allowed from birth. Administer 1 drop 4 times a day.
Tobrex. The active ingredient is tobramycin. Newborns – 1-2 drops up to 5 times a day. For older children - every 4 hours.
Levomycetin. Use with caution in children under 2 years of age. 1 drop is instilled into the conjunctival sac at intervals of 5 hours.
Tsipromed (ciprofloxacin). Allowed for children from 1 year. They are instilled depending on the situation, from 4 to 8 times.
Oftaquix (levofloxacin). Also in pediatric practice it is used to treat children after 1 year. Every 2 hours, 1 drop, but no more than 8 times a day.
Albucid. Please note that Sulfacyl sodium (pharmacy name Albucid) is available in two concentrations: 20% and 30% solution. So, children under one year of age use only the 20% form. It is not recommended to start treatment with this medicine, as a strong burning sensation occurs when instilled. The child does not forget the pain, so the second, third and subsequent instillations will turn into torture for both the baby and you. The medicine is administered 1-2 drops up to 6 times a day.

An excellent remedy, approved from birth

It is recommended to apply ointment at night, as the therapeutic effect from it is longer than from drops. For the smallest children, floxal and tetracycline ophthalmic ointments are suitable (precisely the ophthalmic one, the one with a substance concentration of 1%).

When is conjunctivitis viral?

Interferon is our body’s protector from viruses

Antiviral drops either contain interferon or a substance that stimulates its production. A group of these drugs acts as immunomodulators that relieve local inflammation. Some of them act as anesthetics (reduce pain). Interferon-based products stimulate the restoration of affected tissues.

Ophthalmoferon (based on alpha-2b recombinant interferon). Diphenhydramine and boric acid included in the composition additionally provide an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect. Newborns can be treated.
Aktipol (para-aminobenzoic acid). An interferon inducer, that is, it stimulates the production of its interferon. The instructions say that clinical trials have not been conducted on children, so the drug can be used in children when the expected benefit outweighs the possible risk.

Interferon drops are always stored in the refrigerator, so warm them in your hand to room temperature before injecting them into the conjunctiva.

When is conjunctivitis allergic?

If you suspect an allergy in your newborn, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only early identification of the allergen can significantly help the baby, because all antihistamines only relieve symptoms, but do not remove the cause. Moreover, antiallergic drops have age restrictions:

Cromohexal (cromoglicic acid). Used in children over 2 years of age, but with caution.
Opatanol (olopatadine). According to the instructions, it is allowed from 3 years of age. The effect of the drug has not been studied on infants.
Allergodil (azelastine hydrochloride). Used in children from 4 years of age.

Therefore, if you suspect allergic conjunctivitis in a newborn, give him an antihistamine, for example, fenistil drops for oral administration, and visit a pediatrician and, if necessary, an allergist.

About proper instillation

Newborns are only allowed to put drops into their eyes using a pipette with a rounded end.
Lay the baby horizontally on a flat surface. It’s good if there is an “assistant” nearby to fix the head.
If the drops “live” in the refrigerator, do not forget to warm them up in your hand. You can check the temperature by placing a drop on the back of your wrist. If there is no feeling of cold or warmth, proceed with the procedure.
With pre-washed hands, pull back the lower eyelid and drop 1-2 drops into the inner corner. It is believed that only 1 drop of solution can fit into the conjunctival sac, the rest will go to the cheek. But, since the child often spins and does not like this procedure, manufacturers advise administering 1-2 drops. Excess liquid is blotted with a sterile disposable napkin.

Familiarize yourself with the technique of instilling drops

General principles of treatment

Almost all drops have a limited shelf life after opening. You need to monitor this and not use them after the expiration date.
Even if one eye is affected, the medicine is instilled into both.
It is important that the pipette does not touch the eye when instilled, otherwise it will become infected.
Even if the baby closes his eyes, drip into the inner corner between the eyelids. When he opens his eyes, the medicine will still go where it is needed.
If there is a lot of pus or mucus in the eye, first cleanse it, otherwise no drops will help: they will dissolve in a huge accumulation of bacteria. Children's eyes are washed with warm chamomile decoction, tea leaves, furatsilin solution or ordinary boiled water, using sterile cotton wool.
Frequent instillation during the acute course of the disease is due to the fact that with profuse lacrimation, the medicine is quickly washed away, which means its effect stops after half an hour. For this reason, putting ointment behind the eyelid at night is effective: its effect lasts until the morning.
Treatment is continued for another three days after the symptoms have disappeared.

Chamomile, having an anti-inflammatory effect, is suitable for washing the eyes. For this, a decoction is prepared

Prevention

To get conjunctivitis as little as possible, you need to follow simple hygiene rules:

bathe and wash the child daily;
the room, toys, and bedding must be clean;
The newborn should have a personal towel, with a separate one for the face and for washing;
regularly wash your baby’s hands with soap, in particular after a walk; Older children should be taught proper hand washing from an early age;
regularly walk with the baby in the fresh air, the more the better;
foods consumed, especially fresh fruits, are washed thoroughly;
baby food should be balanced and complete;
If possible, ensure that the child does not rub his eyes with dirty hands, especially when playing in the sandbox;
regularly ventilate and moisten the children's room;
do not contact sick children.

Needless to say, treating children always requires greater concentration and effort on the part of parents. But conjunctivitis can be quickly defeated. Follow the doctor's recommendations, be patient, and the problem will be solved in 2-3 days.

Young mothers often notice that their child’s eyes become watery, red, and swollen, and he becomes restless and capricious.

Bacterial is often called. Its difference is that usually only one eye is affected, and a thick purulent discharge appears, which can frighten parents. Although the disease is severe, it usually resolves quickly and the risk of complications is minimal.

Viral form alternately affects both eyes, but is easier to tolerate. But it is very important to start treatment in a timely manner, since viruses will penetrate the baby’s body and negatively affect internal organs and systems that have not yet formed.

Therefore, treatment of the disease, regardless of its form, must be timely and correct.

Causes of disease in infants

Even under conditions of ideal hygiene and sterility, the risk of contracting conjunctivitis for a newborn still exists. different. The factors that provoked the inflammation will determine the form of its course.

Main reasons:

A child passing through the birth canal may contract an infection of gonorrhea or chlamydia there, which can cause infection of the mucous membrane of the eye.
Weakened immunity.
Infection of the mother with oral or genital herpes.
All kinds of bacteria in the mother's body.
Entry of dirt or some foreign body into the organ of vision.
Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules.

A number of factors do not depend on the mother herself, while others can be taken into account and prevented. It is especially important to take care of sterility and cleanliness to prevent the risk of infection of the baby while passing through the birth canal.

Conjunctivitis causes a lot of suffering, both for the baby and for the mother. Although it is successfully treated, consequences and complications are still possible. This occurs when therapy is not started in a timely manner, when inflammation is advanced and changes in the structure of the membrane begin.

The most dangerous is gonorrheal inflammation of the conjunctiva, which the baby contracted during childbirth. In this case, timely therapy is especially important.

Symptoms: signs and photos of the disease

In order not to confuse conjunctival inflammation with other diseases, it is important to know its symptoms in newborns. This will help to make a timely diagnosis and select the correct treatment measures.

Symptoms of the disease in infants:

Redness of the eyes.
Severe lacrimation.
First one eye becomes inflamed, and then the other.
It is possible to cover the eyes with a thin white film.

With purulent conjunctivitis, the symptoms will be slightly different:

The baby's eyes fill with purulent contents.
Swelling and tearing appear.
The organs of vision do not open well in the morning, as pus causes them to stick together.
Redness, irritation of the mucous membrane.
Most often, only one eye is affected, less often - two.

If you notice these unpleasant symptoms, take your baby to the doctor as soon as possible.

The photo below shows the main symptoms of conjunctivitis in newborns:

What should parents do?

If you notice the first symptoms of the disease and changes in the eyes, consult a doctor. For conjunctivitis, you need to consult an ophthalmologist and pediatrician. The doctor will confirm or refute the diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment measures.

It is not recommended to self-medicate or use any drops without a doctor’s prescription. Unless you can wash your baby’s eyes with Furacilin solution, sodium chloride or decoctions of medicinal plants.

Treatment methods and regimens

The treatment regimen must be prescribed by a doctor. He will make a decision regarding the need to hospitalize the baby in a hospital. If the specialist allows you to be treated at home, he will prescribe the medications that need to be used.

But do not use them without a doctor's prescription. You will find more information about treating your baby with this disease.

On the first day of the onset of the disease, you should not bathe your baby, especially if he has a fever. Newborns have poor thermoregulation, so they quickly become hypothermic.

It is better to wipe the baby’s body with a soft towel dipped in warm water. Wipe as gently as possible, and then wipe the child dry to avoid colds.

It is not recommended to walk with the baby during the acute phase, especially in summer. Active ultraviolet radiation increases inflammation on the conjunctiva and can cause severe lacrimation and pain. Read about what you can and cannot do for conjunctivitis.

When walking, cover your baby's head and face with a wide-brimmed, lightweight hat. A stroller for a newborn should be used with a voluminous canopy that provides protection from the sun.

An important part of therapy is proper cleansing of the child's eyes. For this, use a cotton pad soaked in warm water. Use it to gently remove discharge from the eyes, moving from the outer to the inner edge. Use different discs for the eyes.

This procedure can be carried out 3-4 times a day. Decoctions of calendula or chamomile, a weak furatsilin solution can be used (about the use of furatsilin for conjunctivitis -). Make sure that the solutions are not hot - this may cause additional damage.

For bacterial forms of conjunctivitis antibacterial drugs are prescribed. Newborns are allowed, which destroys pathogenic microorganisms.

It can treat most infections caused by staphylococcus. The product is used in maternity hospitals from the first days of babies’ lives for prevention and treatment.

An effective remedy for bacterial lesions is Levomycetin, which also destroys bacteria. It can be used for various forms of the disease in newborns. The product is also used in the form of an ointment, placed behind the eyelid area several times a day.

In addition to medications, the correct daily routine plays an important role in treatment. A sick newborn needs enough rest - sleep at least 12 hours a day. Sleeping during the day restores strength. Make sure that the bright rays of the sun do not fall on the sleeping child - this way the damaged mucous membrane will heal faster.

Feeding regimen is also important. The baby should be put to the breast on demand. Usually the breaks between feedings do not exceed 2-3 hours. The antibodies that the baby receives from the mother's milk help his immune system fight infection.

For babies receiving complementary foods you need to eat once every 2.5-3 hours. It is better to choose dishes with a liquid consistency that have undergone sufficient heat treatment.

Sufficient fluid intake is also important. Infants need to be fed with clean boiled water. This is important if the child is prescribed antibiotics. This will speed up recovery and minimize the risk of negative consequences.

Forecast and preventive measures

If therapy is started correctly and in a timely manner, the prognosis is favorable. If you delay, complications and negative consequences are possible, including worsening vision.

It is better to start thinking about prevention when planning a pregnancy. You need to undergo examination by a specialist and, if microorganisms are present, begin to fight them.

During pregnancy, it is also important to undergo regular examinations. Often conjunctivitis in infants is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms that encounter the child in the birth canal.

The danger is that urogenital infections may be asymptomatic in women. Therefore, after birth, specialists treat the newborn’s eyes with antimicrobial drugs, for example, sodium sulfacyl solution 20%.

After discharge from the hospital, the mother must properly care for the newborn’s eyes. They are washed with boiled water. For the eyes, it is important to use different cotton pads or swabs. Rinse them from the outer edge to the inner.

If the first time it was not possible to completely clean the visual organs, take another swab and repeat the procedure. Monitor your baby’s hygiene and take measures to strengthen his immunity.

Conjunctivitis is not a dangerous disease, but timely and competent therapy is important to help prevent complications. If there are suspicious symptoms, show your baby to a specialist.

Conjunctivitis in newborns is common. This is explained by the fact that in the first months of a baby’s life, his eyes are imperfect, the visual system is being formed, and therefore is vulnerable to infections. The progression of the disease usually progresses rapidly and, if treated incorrectly, can cause complications that will negatively affect vision in the future. For this reason, every mother should know in advance how to recognize conjunctivitis in a newborn, what the disease looks like in a photo, and how to treat a baby at home.

This is what the disease looks like in a newborn baby

What is conjunctivitis and how does it manifest in children?

With conjunctivitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes occurs. The pathology is usually caused by an allergy or infection of viral origin, in more rare cases - bacterial or fungal origin. Conjunctivitis in children under one year of age and older is manifested by the following symptoms:

redness, stickiness, swelling of the eyelids;
swimming eyes;
redness of the mucous membrane (bleeding in the conjunctiva);
profuse lacrimation;
mucous, purulent, watery discharge from the eyes;
feeling of sand in the eyes;
photophobia;
itching and pain in the eyes;
the child screams, is capricious, refuses to eat, and sleeps poorly.

If these symptoms appear, you should not self-medicate. It is necessary to show the baby to an ophthalmologist, since such signs often indicate other eye diseases (inflammation of the cornea, lacrimal sac, non-opening of the lacrimal duct, etc.).

Types of disease

The following types of conjunctivitis are distinguished:

Adenoviral - a child becomes infected through airborne droplets. The baby's temperature rises to 39°C, chills, headaches, sore throat, and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes appear. The disease first affects one eye, then moves to the other. A characteristic symptom is the discharge of grayish fluid from the eyes, the appearance of small bubbles and small detachable films on the inside of the eyelids.
Enteroviral or hemorrhagic is a little-studied disease provoked by an enterovirus. Transmitted by contact. Characterized by strong serous or purulent discharge from the eyes. May affect cranial and spinal nerves.
Herpetic – the disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus, which enters the body through airborne droplets or contact. The main symptoms include blisters characteristic of herpes.
Bacterial (chlamydial is isolated separately) – the cause of inflammation of the conjunctiva is pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, gonococci, pneumococci, etc.). Infection occurs in various ways, including in the womb. Infection often awaits children in kindergarten. The disease is characterized by a cloudy, viscous discharge of a grayish or yellowish color, causing the eyelids to stick together. There is dryness of the diseased eye and the skin around it.
Allergic – the disease is characterized by severe lacrimation, burning, itching.

Conjunctivitis in infants and older children occurs in acute or chronic forms. The latter develops with a weakened immune system of a month-old baby, problems with metabolism, and prolonged respiratory infections.

Causes of the disease

A newborn's eyes are vulnerable to conjunctivitis because he lacks tears, which protect the organ of vision from the penetration and spread of infections. When the baby was in the womb, he did not need them, and therefore the tear ducts were closed with a gelatinous film, which usually breaks through after the first cry of the newborn. It takes time for them to form properly, and therefore even at 4-7 months, a year, the eyes of an infant are very vulnerable.

The first tears in a baby appear at 1.5-3 months, but still do not completely protect the eyes from viruses, bacteria, fungi, which are the most common cause of inflammation of the conjunctiva. Pathogenic microorganisms can infect a baby’s eyes while still in the hospital, especially if he was born premature or weakened.

Conjunctivitis can be congenital (for example, chlamydial). In this situation, infection occurs during childbirth or in the womb, if during pregnancy she suffered from a bacterial or viral illness or there are genital tract infections.

The reasons for the development of conjunctivitis in newborns also include poor nutrition, poor hygiene, high indoor humidity, and excessively bright colors. Smoke, chemicals, and poisonous gas can provoke the disease.

Diagnosis of pathology in infants

Diagnosing conjunctivitis in a newborn during examination by a doctor usually does not cause difficulties. To determine the causative agent of the disease, a specialist may prescribe the following research methods based on the collected material:

scraping, smear - with the help of special devices, changed cells are taken from the affected part of the eye and sent for analysis to the laboratory;
cytological examination - involves the use of a special dye, with the help of which the type of conjunctivitis is determined and the pathogen (bacteria, fungi) is detected;
direct immunofluorescence - the action is aimed at detecting chlamydia;
PCR – detects the slightest traces of a virus, fungus, bacteria from the remains of their DNA;
allergen test.

In addition to these tests, a blood test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), bacteriological, seroscopic, histological and other examination methods may be needed. After determining the culprit of the disease (virus, bacteria, fungus, allergen), the doctor will prescribe treatment aimed at destroying it.

What is the treatment?

Therapy for infants is specific, so self-medication is unacceptable. Typically, conjunctivitis is viral or bacterial in nature and is transmitted to humans due to poor hygiene. This means that during illness it is necessary to limit the baby from contact with other children and, if possible, with adults.

During treatment, both eyes of the newborn must be treated, even if symptoms of the disease appear in only one. Therapy begins with a healthy eye so that inflammation does not spread to it. You need to use a different swab for each eye. Before using eye drops, they must be cleared of pus and washed with a special solution.

Pharmacy drugs

If the cause of conjunctivitis is an allergen, it must be detected and removed from the baby’s environment. When this is not possible, the child's contact with the allergic substance should be limited as much as possible. During treatment, the baby can be given an antihistamine in the form of eye drops or tablets.

Levomycetin 0.25%;
Tobrex.

For therapy, the doctor may prescribe Tetracycline or Erythromycin eye ointment. They contain antibiotics that effectively kill bacteria.

If the problem is caused by a virus, antiviral medications are needed - antibiotics are powerless:

Poludan drops are effective against herpes and adenovirus;
Oftalmoferon helps with pathologies of a viral and allergic nature;
Zovirax ointment is used for herpes;
For conjunctivitis of viral origin, Tebrofen ointment is used.

In case of a fungal disease, the action of the drug should be aimed at combating precisely the type of fungus that provoked inflammation of the conjunctiva. Otherwise, the therapy will be delayed.

Folk remedies

At home, without consulting a doctor, only eye rinsing is acceptable. A decoction of chamomile, sage or weak tea is useful here. After the first signs of conjunctivitis appear, rinsing is done every two hours, then three times a day. To do this, soak a cotton pad in a herbal decoction and wash the eyes, moving from the temple to the nose. Treat until all signs of the disease disappear.

At the initial stage of the disease, doctors recommend wiping the newborn’s eyes with weak tea or chamomile decoction.

How to avoid getting sick?

To prevent chlamydial or herpetic conjunctivitis in a pregnant child, a pregnant woman should monitor her health and get tested in a timely manner. Having discovered a problem, it is necessary to treat diseases that can be transmitted to the child before birth.

You can protect an already born baby from conjunctivitis by following the rules of hygiene. It is necessary to keep the apartment clean and ventilate the room. Newborn care items should be almost sterile. It is important to ensure that family members do not touch the child without first washing their hands. It is also necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the baby’s hands and eyes. An older child must be weaned from the habit of rubbing his eyes with his hands.

Health activities that strengthen the baby’s immunity and physical condition are always useful. These include daily walks in the fresh air, hardening procedures, and gymnastics.

Conjunctivitis in newborns, or ophthalmia, is an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the eye. The incidence of the disease even in developed countries is 1–2%. This phenomenon is not uncommon among children.

After 9 months of pregnancy and childbirth, you meet your baby. It's good if he's healthy from the very beginning. But this can only be expected if the mother could not infect him with anything during childbirth. But even if everything is perfect, problems and troubles will begin from the first day. The child has many of his own characteristics, and he will constantly surprise you with them.

Features of the eyes of infants

In newborns and infants, tears are initially absent. Why? For 9 months, the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid, the eyes are washed and protected with it. At first, the newborn child hardly sees; he is not fully formed, even though he was born. His eyes need time to begin to react to the world around him - its colors, brightness. This process will take six months. And he has no tears either. For the first month, the baby sleeps constantly, opening his eyes very briefly. If he screams, it’s without tears. In the womb, tears were not needed; the eyes were already protected. The tear ducts were blocked by mucus plugs. Over the first few weeks, these plugs gradually dissolve, and at 1.5–3 months the first tears appear. This always happens unexpectedly for the mother. Tears may flow in streams down your cheeks, or they may appear as 1–2 drops (this is also enough). But a child’s tears at this age do not yet have the rich composition as those of an adult.

The adult eye constantly produces tear fluid, which has a protective antibacterial composition to absorb bacteria and viruses and prevent them from developing. The eye is protected by eyelids, which constantly mechanically wash away tears when blinking. This is not yet the case for infants and newborns. Therefore, the development of inflammation in their mucous membranes (conjunctivitis in an infant) is a common thing. In such cases, the eyelids begin to stick together, the mucous membrane turns red, the child is capricious, screams, restless, and the eye becomes swollen. Moreover, this can occur immediately after discharge from the maternity hospital or after several weeks at home. If an infant has conjunctivitis, it is necessary to show it to a pediatrician and an ophthalmologist, because a similar picture occurs when the lacrimal duct does not open and the lacrimal sac becomes inflamed. Treatment varies.

Etiology of the phenomenon

Most often, the culprit is an infection, less often - factors that irritate the eye. When giving birth to a sick mother, a child can become infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia, genital herpes or other opportunistic bacteria in the birth canal. Gonococcal conjunctivitis of newborns, if untreated, leads to the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane and even perforation of the cornea. The mother herself may not even know that she has herpes due to the absence of symptoms, but she is a carrier of it. Ophthalmia can also develop when prophylactic drops are instilled in the maternity hospital - silver nitrate or albucid (medicinal ophthalmia).

It develops immediately, without an incubation period.

Types of conjunctivitis in newborns

There are 2 types: bacterial and viral. They are contagious. There is also the medicinal one mentioned above. Bacterial conjunctivitis, also called purulent, is caused by: staphylo- and streptococci, pneumo-, gonococci, chlamydia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With bacterial etiology, only one eye is affected. It is difficult, but can be treated faster and has few complications. Staphylo- and streptococcal conjunctivitis are no different in clinical presentation.

With gonococci, disease prevention begins in the maternity hospital. After birth, the child is instilled with albucid, but now it is practiced to apply tetracycline ointment.

Viral (adenoviruses, herpesviruses, ARVI) conjunctivitis in newborns is much less common because it is transmitted by airborne droplets, and a month-old child is protected from contact with adults. With viruses, both eyes are affected in turn, the disease is milder, but it produces more complications and is less treatable. There is no pus with it.

For any ophthalmia in a one-month-old baby, treatment should occur as early as possible.

Symptoms in infants

General - swelling of the eyelids, redness of the conjunctiva and white of the eye, photophobia, lacrimation. Conjunctivitis in infants is manifested by burning, pain, and the child cries and screams. Weakness is also noted, the eyes are red and swollen. In infants, yellow crusts appear on the eyelids, the eyes stick together in the morning, and pus comes out of them. It contains leukocytes, pathogen particles, and toxins. The child is capricious, especially in bright light, refuses to breastfeed, and sleeps poorly. Children have a very difficult time with ophthalmia. Swelling may spread to the cheeks, and a rise in temperature may be noted. Conjunctivitis in children under one year of age, if left untreated, can cause damage to the cornea and blurred vision. Children under 3 months do not have tears, so any discharge from the eyes should immediately alert parents. So, if conjunctivitis:

Streptococcal - there is a yellowish discharge, the surrounding skin is also inflamed.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis in a newborn occurs in 40% of cases with ophthalmia. When infected during childbirth, it appears 10-14 days after birth, in other cases of infection - after a month. All symptoms are similar to the general ones, but there is also an increase in lymph nodes (cervical and occipital) on the affected side. In addition to pus, the baby has weakness and fever. If left untreated, trachoma affects both the hearing and respiratory organs.
Purulent gonococcal - the eyelids are swollen and have a bluish tint; the eyes open with difficulty, they are glued together with yellow pus. The mucous membrane hurts and may bleed. Prevention begins in the maternity hospital, it has been carried out since 1917, before that such children became blind. Symptoms appear on day 2-3 of infection; Both eyes are affected.
Viral - develops as an accompaniment of colds. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose. Both eyes are affected in turn, tears flow, the discharge is clear, the eyelashes do not stick together. The vessels are injected, pain in the corners of the eyes, the conjunctiva is inflamed and bright red, moderate blepharospasm. The pre-auricular lymph nodes are enlarged.
Allergic - clear liquid flows from the eyes, itching, sneezing, eyelids may swell. If the allergen is removed, the symptoms go away.

Self-medication is excluded; it can only lead to complications.

Diagnostic measures

In the event of ophthalmia, serological and bacteriological studies are mandatory. After an external examination during a purulent process, a smear is sent by a doctor for culture and research to determine the type of pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics. If the inflammation is of an allergic nature, allergy tests are performed.

Principles of treatment

How to treat ophthalmia? The goal of treatment is to cleanse the eyes and stop inflammation. The therapy is complex and step-by-step. First, the eye is washed with an antiseptic - a syringe without a needle or a gauze swab. This can be an aqueous solution of furatsilin, a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. Even if one eye is affected, treatment is carried out on both eyes, starting with the healthy one.

Eye rinsing is carried out every 1.5 hours in the first 2 days; the next 2 days - 4-5 times a day; then 3-4 days - 3-4 times a day. Rinsing is done from the outer corner of the eye to the inner. There is a separate swab for each eye; they also use it to remove crusts.

Then comes the second stage - instillation of drops. These can be Tetracycline drops, Dexamethasone, 10% Albucid, Ophthalmodec, Dexon, etc., but only those prescribed by the doctor. Instillation is carried out after washing with the same frequency.

Afterwards, an ointment prescribed by a doctor is applied, usually at night. This could be 1% tetracycline, erythromycin ointment, Tobrex. A bandage is not applied - this protects the eye from concomitant infections and injury.

And one more important piece of advice for mothers: under no circumstances use breast milk or honey water for rinsing and instilling.

These products are an excellent breeding ground for microbes due to their composition. Rapid growth of bacteria will only lead to complications.

Technique of procedures

For newborns, only a pipette with a rounded end is used. It is better if someone assists the mother during the procedures. The child is placed horizontally, the assistant fixes the child's head, because the procedures are unpleasant, and he will turn his head, trying to escape. The cotton wool should already be prepared. It is placed under the thumb of the left hand, and it is used to pull the baby’s lower eyelid down slightly.

The left index finger will slightly pull the upper eyelid.

After widening the palpebral fissure, the solution is dripped onto the inner surface of the lower eyelid. The drooping eyelids are lightly massaged to distribute the drops. The products should be stored in the refrigerator and should be warmed before instillation: if they come into contact with the back of the wrist, they should not irritate the skin with cold.

There is no point in trying to drip more than prescribed, it will not affect the symptoms, the conjunctival sac at this age can only hold a drop, everything else will simply flow out. Heated drops can be instilled into a sleeping baby without waking him up. For eye ointments, the neck is already narrowed for convenience; a narrow strip is squeezed into the corner of the eye. In this case, the lower eyelid is pre-tightened. When you blink, the medicine will distribute itself.

It is also better to give the ointment to a sleeping baby.

It’s probably not worth reminding that all procedures are carried out only with cleanly washed hands. You cannot arbitrarily interrupt treatment, change and adjust it at your own discretion, or end it ahead of schedule, even if the child seems healthy to you and the eyes have stopped festering!

Treatment of ophthalmia:

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis - ARVI - does not require special intervention; its symptoms will go away on their own after treatment of the underlying disease. You can wash your eyes with furatsilin, a weak solution of tea or boiled water. You can instill Actipol or Oftalmoferon.
Adenoviral infection - the treatment of ophthalmia is different. It is considered the most contagious. Her symptoms are usually pronounced. Itching and lacrimation most often do not occur with adenoviruses, but fever and general intoxication are pronounced. From drops you can use Interferon, Poludan; from ointments - Tebrofenovu and Florenal.
Herpetic conjunctivitis - among other symptoms, blisters appear around the eyes. Acyclovir is used for treatment.
Eye irritation caused by drops in the maternity hospital will also go away on its own.
Antibacterial treatment - general and local - is necessary for bacterial infections. For trachoma - Azithromycin, Piclosidine or Lomefloxacin drops. It is possible to cure chlamydia at this age only in an inpatient setting.
When treating herpes, special antiviral drugs are prescribed.
Allergic conjunctivitis - give syrup with antihistamines (Fenistil) to drink; Most drops for such ophthalmia are intended for children over 2 years of age.

Treatment at home

You can experiment with folk remedies on adults; the mother should think about this first. Only a doctor should treat conjunctivitis in infants. But while the response to bacterial culture is being prepared, if it is not possible to get to the doctor right now, you will have to temporarily provide assistance to the baby at home. What to do in such cases? The above medications can be purchased at the pharmacy yourself and follow the methods described above.

For bacterial ophthalmia, antibiotic drops are used:

Floxal - its active principle is the antibiotic Ofloxacin.
Tobrex - its active ingredient is tobramycin.
Albucid - available in 20% and 30% solution. Infants can only use a 10 or 20% solution. But it is undesirable to start treatment with it in the acute period of ophthalmia, because it causes a strong burning sensation; the child simply will not succeed in subsequent times.
Tetracycline eye ointment 1% is suitable for small children.
Interferon - it relieves local inflammation in viral ophthalmia, reduces pain and protects against viruses. The interferon group also includes Ophthalmoferon, which also includes diphenhydramine with boric acid; they can be used in newborns. Store these drops only in the refrigerator.

It is possible that the treatment of conjunctivitis in the first 3-4 days did not give a quick effect, as in adults. But it still needs to be continued; the cure depends on the condition of the baby and his immunity. The child will immediately feel the mother’s nervousness, so be patient. Viral conjunctivitis is milder, but this is a misleading impression. It is necessary to treat thoroughly, because these types of pathologies tend to cause complications in the form of systemic diseases.

Preventive measures

Hygiene is of paramount importance. Hands and care items should be almost sterile. The room should be perfectly clean, the toys should also be clean. You need a separate towel for your face and butt (for washing).

After a walk, the baby’s hands should be washed with soap and regularly taken for walks in the fresh air.

The room needs to be moistened and ventilated more often; in winter there is no need to heat it intensively, so as not to create favorable conditions for microbes. The child’s immunity needs to be strengthened in every possible way, hardened - summer is the best time for this; you need to take multivitamins. Contact with sick children should not be allowed. When problems arise, relying only on your own experience without a doctor is risky - the baby may lose his sight.

Conjunctivitis in newborns and infants in the first year of life is a problem that more than 15% of young mothers face. The pathology itself does not pose a great threat to the health, much less the life of the baby. But the disease is accompanied by extremely unpleasant symptoms for the child; the baby becomes capricious, whiny, eats and sleeps poorly. In addition, there is a risk of complications.

Conjunctivitis in an infant is often confused with dacryocystitis, a disease in which an infant’s lacrimal sac becomes inflamed, or a banal blockage of the lacrimal duct. The pathologies are similar in manifestations, but still have differences and require completely different approaches to treatment. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and make the correct diagnosis, curing conjunctivitis will not be difficult in a few days. But for this it is necessary that parents know the characteristic symptoms of the pathology, be able to recognize it in time and take appropriate measures.

What is it

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye mucosa caused by chemical irritants or pathogenic microorganisms. To correctly determine how to treat conjunctivitis in infants, it is important to establish the cause of its origin. The causative agents of the disease can be either bacteria or viruses. Accordingly, conjunctivitis is distinguished:

bacterial;
viral.

Recently, allergic conjunctivitis has become increasingly common, developing against the background of seasonal allergies in a child or under the influence of histamines. In this case, anything can act as histamine: food, medications, household chemicals, and even house dust.

The photo shows what purulent conjunctivitis looks like in a baby under one year of age

But the most common is the bacterial form of the disease. Depending on the type of pathogenic microorganisms, the following subtypes of bacterial conjunctivitis are distinguished:

staphylococcal;
pneumococcal;
gonococcal;
chlamydial.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often called purulent, since the disease is accompanied by copious purulent discharge, souring of the eyes and sticking of the eyelids. Such manifestations of the disease frighten parents, but treatment of this form is much faster, easier than viral, and without serious consequences.

Viral conjunctivitis in an infant develops and proceeds, at first glance, more easily, there is no purulent discharge. But often this form of the disease, if not treated promptly and completely, leads to serious complications. In this case, not only the eyes can suffer if the viral infection spreads throughout the body. The greatest danger is that the systems and internal organs of the baby are not yet fully formed; the introduction of the virus can disrupt the process of their full development and cause various dysfunctions and irreversible changes.

That is why it is important for parents to know the symptoms of various forms of inflammation of the mucous membrane in a newborn, to be able to recognize it in time, consult a doctor and begin adequate treatment.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose conjunctivitis in children under one year of age, since numerous ophthalmological pathologies have similar symptoms. Nevertheless, there are certain signs by which parents may suspect this particular disease and consult a doctor for help.

Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria can be recognized by the following symptoms:

severe redness and irritation of the mucous membrane;
swelling of the eyelids;
purulent discharge from the eyes.

During the daytime, pus is washed off with tears or removed by washing. But during the night it accumulates, dries out, and the resulting crusts stick together the eyelids. In severe cases, the child cannot open his eyes on his own after sleep.

The viral form of the disease, like the allergic one, is manifested by lacrimation and swelling of the eyes without purulent discharge, but it is more difficult to treat than the bacterial one

Viral conjunctivitis manifests itself as follows:

intense lacrimation;
redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes and eyelids;
swelling (can be recognized in a one-year-old child and older children, since a newborn’s eyes themselves seem swollen);
the surface of the eyeball is often covered with a whitish film;
First, one eye becomes inflamed, then the infection spreads to the second.

Viral conjunctivitis is also often accompanied by an increase in body temperature; children over two years old can quite clearly explain what is bothering them. As a rule, these are headaches, weakness, malaise, aching joints, lack of appetite - that is, typical symptoms of ARVI, which is the cause of viral conjunctivitis.

Important: Even if the parents are experienced, have already encountered purulent inflammation of the conjunctiva in children and, in principle, know what to do, you still need to see a doctor. Each child is individual, this time the pathogen may be completely different, which means that different therapy will be needed. In addition, to treat children at 5 months, for example, or at 2 years, various drugs are used in different dosages. Self-medication can lead to serious complications in a child, so it is better not to take risks and not rely solely on your own experience.

Routes of infection and causes of development

It is believed that if the disease in infants is not congenital, the cause of all troubles is insufficient care and non-compliance with hygiene rules. However, in this case this is not entirely true. Even the cleanest baby living in ideal sanitary conditions can get conjunctivitis.

A pregnant woman must be treated for all gynecological and sexually transmitted diseases before giving birth in order to minimize the risk of infection of the baby

The main causes of the disease are as follows:

Weak immunity. In all newborns, without exception, the immune system does not work at full strength; without proper supervision, it is easy for a baby to catch any infection. If, in addition, the child suffered an infectious disease of the nasopharynx or other organs, was born prematurely or with low weight, or is malnourished, the risk increases several times.
Infectious diseases of the mother. Bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by chlamydia or gonococcus, in most cases passes to the baby from the mother during the birth canal.
Getting into the eyes of dust, sand, chemical fumes and other irritants that can provoke an inflammatory process.
Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules.
Acute viral infections of the nasopharynx. Very rarely, viral conjunctivitis develops in isolation; as a rule, these are complications of adenovirus infection, influenza, etc.

Even the most experienced and caring mother will not be able to provide for absolutely everything and protect her baby 100% from all diseases. But nevertheless, she has a lot in her hands. A pregnant woman must be treated for all diseases before giving birth. And after the birth of a child, do not be lazy and take care of him regularly.

Treatment methods

Conjunctivitis in a child, like in an adult, can be cured at home in a few days, but only if all the recommendations of the attending physician are followed from the start of the course of treatment until complete recovery. It should be understood that the child’s body is not yet fully formed, the baby’s immunity is not strong, and the slightest omission on the part of the parents can result in serious complications.

Regular rinsing is the main method of treating conjunctivitis of all forms in infants.

Ideally, at the first suspicious symptoms, you should visit an eye doctor. If this is not possible, washing the baby's eyes will help alleviate the condition. You can use the pharmaceutical antiseptic drug Furacilin or decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, calendula, sage. The rinsing solution should be made weak, and the procedure itself should be carried out every two hours during the day and once or twice at night, when the baby wakes up for feedings.

Some sources recommend instilling Levomycetin in your eyes or applying Tetracycline ointment before the doctor arrives. Indeed, these antibacterial drugs are widely used in the treatment of conjunctivitis caused by pathogenic microflora. But at the same time, they have a number of contraindications and are prescribed to newborns and infants only if, for some reason, more modern and gentle drugs are not suitable. Therefore, it is not recommended to start using them on your own, without the approval of a doctor, especially if the baby is not yet 2 months old.

One of the safest and most effective methods of treating conjunctivitis in newborns is massage of the nasolacrimal duct. Every mother, even the youngest and most inexperienced, can learn to do it on her own at home, the main thing is caution, attention and love.

How to properly wash your eyes

It is with this procedure that effective treatment of conjunctivitis in young children begins. Under no circumstances should antibacterial drugs be administered unless the eyes are first cleared of secretions and disinfected. To do this, you must first prepare an antiseptic solution. If there is nothing at hand, then you can wash the baby’s eyes with ordinary boiled water, the main thing is not to ignore this procedure and remove the crusts and pus several times a day. But the treatment will be more effective and recovery will come faster if you use Furacilin.

In pharmacies it is usually sold in tablets and is quite inexpensive. One package is enough for a full course of treatment.

The solution is prepared as follows:

Remove the drug tablet from the package and thoroughly crush it into powder. The better this is done, the faster Furacilin will dissolve in water.
Pour the powder into a sterilized container, add 100 ml of boiled water at a temperature of about 38 degrees, but not higher.
Stir and leave for half an hour until the powder is completely dissolved. You should get a yellow liquid.
Furacilin always leaves a residue. To prevent small particles of the drug from injuring the baby’s eyes, before washing, the resulting solution is filtered through a sterile bandage folded in several layers.

The solution cannot be stored for long without refrigeration; it should be used within one day. In the refrigerator, you can store Furacilin solution in a sterile, tightly closed container for up to two weeks. But it’s better not to be lazy to prepare fresh medicine every day.

Chamomile is an excellent natural antiseptic; a decoction of the medicinal plant can be safely used to treat sore eyes in infants.

Direct rinsing is performed using a cotton sponge, it is moistened in the prepared solution, lightly squeezed and carefully remove crusts and pus, moving in the direction from the inner corner of the eyes to the outer. One sponge is used once for one eye, for the second eye you should take a clean cotton pad. Rinse with tea leaves or decoction of medicinal plants is performed in a similar manner. The main thing to remember is three rules:

the temperature of the liquid should not be higher than 38 degrees;
decoctions and infusions must be carefully filtered so that not a single blade of grass or grain remains in them;
Wash solutions do not store for long; ideally, prepare fresh ones every day.

Useful information: In pharmacies you can buy a ready-made furatsilin solution for rinsing. If preference is given to medicinal plants, then the infusion is prepared very simply. A small spoon of dry collection or fresh herb is poured with a glass of boiling water, covered tightly and left for two to three hours. Then the product is filtered - the medicine for the baby against conjunctivitis is ready!

How to apply ointment

If the doctor considers it necessary to prescribe Tetracycline or any other antibacterial ointment, place it behind the lower eyelid 10–15 minutes after rinsing. This is done like this:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Place the baby on a changing table or bed so that he cannot roll off.
Open the tube of ointment and squeeze the required amount onto the finger of your right hand.
Using the fingers of your left hand, pull down the lower eyelid and gently introduce the ointment.
Repeat the procedure with the second eye.

Tetracycline ointment is a traditional remedy for conjunctivitis, but it is strictly not recommended for use on infants without the approval of a doctor.

Important! You should not add more ointment than the doctor recommends to speed up recovery. This will not happen anyway, but it can provoke unwanted side effects and allergic reactions.

How to massage

With purulent conjunctivitis, copious discharge can clog the nasolacrimal duct. This increases discomfort for the baby and delays treatment. In this case, massage of the nasolacrimal duct will help. Ideally, the pediatric nurse will show you how to do it correctly. But, in fact, this is a completely simple process that you can teach yourself. The main thing here, again, is accuracy and attention.

First, the baby's eyes should be washed with Furacilin to remove all crusts and accumulations of pus under the eyelids.
Next, the tips of the index fingers are placed in the corners of the child’s eyes.
With vibrating, slightly pressing movements, the fingers move down to the wings of the spout.

Regular massage of the nasolacrimal duct will help to quickly cure purulent conjunctivitis and prevent complications

At least ten such passes should be made. If the doctor has prescribed antibacterial drops or ointments, they are administered after the massage.

What medications can the doctor prescribe?

Treatment of newborns, and not only for conjunctivitis, is always complicated by the fact that most drugs cannot be used due to a long list of possible side effects. The doctor selects the most gentle medications of the latest generations with a minimum of side effects, and it is equally important to correctly determine the dosage.

If we are talking about conjunctivitis in newborns, then these will be eye drops and ointments with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The following medications have proven themselves to be the best:

Albucid - the medicine is administered 1-2 drops after washing into each eye up to 8 times in the first two days of the disease, then as the condition improves, reduce the number of instillations to 4 times a day.
Vitabact - these drops must be used for at least 7 days, but no more than 10, the drug is administered one drop up to 4 times a day.
Ophthalmoferon - also has an antiviral effect; in the first days of the disease, one drop is administered every two hours, then the number of instillations is gradually reduced to 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms disappear completely.
Tobrex is an antibacterial eye ointment; it is enough to apply it once a day for ten days.
Tetracycline ointment is a traditional drug against eye inflammation, which is approved for use in pediatrics. The ointment is applied two to three times a day after washing, alternating with instillations. The course of treatment lasts up to two weeks.

If the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor does not produce positive results within two to three days, you should contact your ophthalmologist again and adjust it. With the right approach, the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis completely go away in 5–7 days, viral conjunctivitis – 7–10 days. During this period, it is important to especially carefully monitor the baby’s hygiene, and after recovery, remember about preventive measures.

Summary: Conjunctivitis in infants is a common ophthalmological pathology, not the most dangerous, but capable of causing serious complications without proper treatment. It is quite possible to get rid of the disease in a few days if you strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations. Otherwise, treatment may take several weeks or the disease will recur again and again. The main method of treatment is washing the eyes with antiseptic solutions. In severe cases, the doctor prescribes local and systemic antibiotics. If parents want their baby to smile again as soon as possible and look at the world with clean and clear eyes, they will be patient and will follow all the doctor’s instructions without deviation.