Pediatric Pink Eye Treatment Questions and Answers
Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye, is a general term for inflammation or irritation of the surface of the eye or the inner linings of the eyelids. Although pink eye symptoms might vary, they frequently involve redness or swelling of the eye’s white. Visit Dr. Andrew J. Blankenau at e medical treatment. No need to look further for Urgent Cares near Denton, TX! Visit Minor Emergency of Denton, if you suspect you may have pink eye and are unsure of how to treat it. For more information, please contact us or simply walk in! We are conveniently located at 4400 Teasley Ln #200 Denton, TX 76210.
Table of Contents:
How do you know if your child has pink eye?
Do I need to take my child to the doctor for pink eye?
When should I worry about my child’s pink eye?
How long does pink eye last?
Pink eye can be frustrating to deal with, no matter if you are young or old. As such, if you or your child are dealing with pink eye, our medical doctors at Minor Emergency of Denton can provide excellent medical care to anyone dealing with a pink eye infection. We would be pleased to help you or your child see clearly and easily again! To give you a better idea about pediatric pink eye treatment, we have answered some commonly asked questions below.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, can occur due to an allergic reaction or a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. As such, the symptoms of pink eye vary slightly according to the cause of pink eye in each case. Pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva, which comprises the white part of the eyes and the inner eyelid, becomes infected and experiences inflammation.
With that in mind, some common symptoms of pink eye include the following:
• Clear and watery discharge (viral or fungal conjunctivitis)
• Eye discomfort
• Green, yellow, and thick, mucousy discharge (bacterial conjunctivitis)
• Itchy and watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Swollen eyelids
• Whites of the eyes have a pink or reddish hue
While pink eye is not usually serious, it is still a good idea to take your child to the doctor if they show signs of pink eye. Many cases of pink eye will go away on their own; however, some pink eye infections, particularly bacterial conjunctivitis, require medical attention. When a bacterial infection causes pink eye, antibiotic treatment is often needed.
With that in mind, your child’s doctor can let you know if your child’s pink eye infection requires treatment or will go away on its own while also informing you on the safest and most effective at-home remedies for pink eye. You should also take your child to the doctor for pink eye if they are less than three months old.
Since pink eye is a minor infection, you should not worry excessively if your child has pink eye. At the same time, it is important to keep an eye on their symptoms and provide any care they require. With that being said, some signs that your child’s pink eye infection requires medical attention include the following:
• Blurred vision that does not get better after discharge is cleared
• Fever accompanying the infection
• If your child has a weakened immune system due to a pre-existing medical condition
• Increasing redness, swelling, and tenderness in and around the eye and eyelids
• Significant pain and discomfort in and around the child’s eye
• Symptoms that do not improve within two to three days after treatment starts or within one week if left untreated
Mild cases of pink eye typically go away on their own within one to two weeks. In some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take three or more weeks to clear up completely. Mild bacterial conjunctivitis that does not require antibiotic treatment often improves within two to five days but may take up to two weeks to go away. When antibiotics are required for bacterial conjunctivitis, the medication must be taken for the prescription duration even after symptoms clear up.
For more information about pediatric pink eye treatment or an appointment with us at Minor Emergency of Denton, we welcome you to contact us or visit our clinic at 4400 Teasley Lane, Suite 200, in Denton, TX, for a walk-in appointment. We serve patients from Denton TX, Corinth TX, Highland Village TX, Little Elm TX, Flower Mound TX, Lewisville TX, and Southlake TX. Looking forward to serve you!
