How to handle an eye infection on a toddler

Parenting has always been a lovely and challenging experience - especially when it comes to handling certain infections of toddlers and young infection. I have found it to be a great challenge handling the eye infections and injuries of toddlers. Though it may be best to avoid eye infection and injuries in toddlers it is prudent for mothers of young children to know how to spot early signs and also learn how to treat them and restore the twinkle in the eyes of the Apple of your eyes.

Common conditions of eye infection and how to handle them:

Conjunctivitis or a pink eye:

This infection of the eyes is contagious and shows up with the whites of the eyes turning pink with a discharge that is green or yellow. Pink eye or an infection of the eye and eyelid membrane could be bacterial or viral; take your toddler to a pediatrician immediately for diagnosis and prompt action. A pink eye that is viral would go off by itself, while your toddler’s specialist would prescribe drops if bacterial. Your toddler’s pediatrician would make the most appropriate diagnosis.

Blockage of a tear duct:

You as a parent would be confused as the symptoms are contradictory to the cause; you would notice extra tears and discharge from your toddler’s eyes. Besides other causes, this condition could be caused by an infection in the eyes/eye of your toddler. The most appropriate action would be to take your toddler to his/her pediatrician promptly; the cure is affected easily.

A sty:

A sty is little red pustules in the edge of a toddler’s eyelids that are generally harmless and easily disappear on their own. However as a real responsible parent you could soothe your toddler by holding a warm washcloth over the closed eyes for a few minutes at periodic intervals. Avoid popping the pustules or pimples. In case your little one is experiencing pain and discomfort, or it prolongs for more than a week or spreads to the cheeks consult a pediatrician. He/she would prescribe an acetaminophen. Be prompt in consulting one if it prolongs for more than a week and spreads to the cheeks.

The curiosity of your toddler could also lead him/her to trouble that could lead to injuries and mishaps in the eye.

Some common eye injuries are:

A foreign object in the eye:

Applying more to objects that are tiny, you would find your toddler experiencing excess of tears and complaining his/her eyes hurt; big objects like books and boards only cause bruise/bruises. You as a parent could render first aid by first making your toddler sit under a bright light or sunlight; small objects like a speck of dirt, grain of sand or a bug can be flushed out with water at room temperature. If it does not work, alternatively pull and lower the upper eye-lid over the lower one for a few minutes to facilitate the object being flushed out by tears. The last resort would be to consult a pediatrician.

Bruise or contusion:

It is quite common for toddlers to get minor bruises as well as a black eye as they love to jump and run about always bumping everything and also with one another. Minor bruises around the eye could be easily treated and soothed with application of a cold pack or a wash towel filled with ice; avoid application of too much pressure on the eyeball. Treatment of both a black eye and blood in the pupil and white of the eye will require the help of a pediatrician.

Corneal abrasion:

It is a scratch on the cornea or clear outer surface of the eye that could be caused by either by a toy, a low hanging branch or even one’s own finger nails. Most such abrasions heal on their own within a day or two, but if the toddler’s eye is hurting do consult a pediatrician; he/she may prescribe a dose of acetaminophen or even an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Contact of chemical with eye:

The treatment for this condition lies in first rinsing the affected eye well with lukewarm water for about 15 minutes, ensuring that the unaffected eye does not come in contact with it. You may then contact the Poison Control in extreme cases for their valuable suggestions and action for follow-up.

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