Pink Eye - Charlotte,NC

I don't see how old your little one is, but there can be lots of causes for pink eye...
Take a look here:
PINK EYE (CONJUNCTIVITIS)

SIX CAUSES OF PINK EYE
1. Bacteria – when the eyes are red with yellow or green drainage oozing or crusting in the eye throughout the day and night, then bacteria are usually the culprit. The eyelids may also be swollen. Affects one or both eyes.

2. Virus – when the eyes are very red, but there is no drainage, or only a small amount of drainage or crusting upon waking up, then it is probably viral conjunctivitis. Usually affects both eyes

3. Allergy – allergic conjunctivitis is usually seasonal, mostly in the spring. The eyes are usually red with no drainage, and unusually itchy. Usually affects both eyes.

4. Foreign body – a piece of sand or dirt stuck under the eyelid can cause redness, tearing, pain and drainage. Usually affects one eye.

5. Plugged tear duct– this is a problem for newborns up to one year of age. It is eye drainage without any eye redness. Affects one or both eyes. Click on it for more info.

6. Scratched eye– can cause redness, tearing, and is very painful. Affects only one eye. Click on it for more info.

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TREATMENT
Warm compress – hold a warm, wet washcloth against the eye and gently wipe away any drainage.
Saline eye drops – or artificial tears can sooth the eye whatever the cause. These can also be used to flush out any sand or dirt stuck in the eye.
Medication
Antibiotic ointment or drops – this is the treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis only.
Allergy eye drops – there are several prescription and over-the-counter antihistamine drops that can help alleviate eye allergies.
Visine - these over-the-counter drops can help with redness and irritation of sore eyes, except with bacterial conjunctivitis.
IS MY CHILD CONTAGIOUS?
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are the only two causes that are contagious. They are spread by contact with the eye drainage or tears.

Bacterial is no longer contagious after 36 to 48 hours of antibiotic drops.
Viral has no treatment, except to relieve the symptoms. It can be contagious as long as the eyes are red.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
WHEN TO WORRY (AND NOT TO WORRY)
Pink eye is generally not serious and should improve with treatment or time. You should contact you doctor if:

bacterial pink eye does not improve after 5 days of treatment
allergic pink eye does not improve after 5 days of treatment or if it worsens at any time during treatment (this may mean there is a bacteria involved).
viral pink eye begins to have more drainage
your child complains of any problems with their vision besides simple blurring from the discharge.

There are several kinds of eye infections and not all are pink eye. Sinus drainage is not pink eye. It's puss draining out of the sinus'. Pink eye is a sticky gooey mess that is a stand alone highly contagious eye infection that only a doc can diagnose.

If he is continuing to get eye gunk then take him to an eye doc, not the kind for glasses, the other kind. I can't remember which it is, I don't wear glasses. I have very dry eyes and get gunk in my eyes when they would normally tear up and rinse irritants out. Since they are dry I have to add drops several times a day sometimes to just keep them moist and not itchy. This is what his sounds like to me. Dry eyes. I don't know how old he is so I would not tell you to just get some moisturizing eye drops from Walmart and use them Ask a doc.

frequent PROPER hand washing. I think you can find it on the cdc web site

I thought this webpage might be helpful - http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_prevent-pink-eye.html Good luck!

Pink eye is extremely contagious. Some people have strong immuniities then others.

I don't know what you can do to prevent it other than normal common sense precautions, like washing hands frequently, changing and washing pillow cases frequently, and not letting him rub his eyes.