Is conjunctivitis dangerous for a three year old child?

Your three-year-old has red-cheeked eyes; they water, sour, causing the child an unpleasant feeling of discomfort. The kid becomes restless, constantly rubs his sore eyes.Most likely, he has conjunctivitis. This disease is quite dangerous, requiring maximum responsibility from the parents.In three-year-old children, conjunctivitis is often found, so it is important for adults to know about the forms and types of diseases, as well as what complications it can bear. As for the treatment, then with the doctor's application it should be immediate and, of course, correct.

Types of conjunctivitis

A conjunctive inflammation can have a different etiology.The type of disease depends on the pathogen. Children of three years old have the following types of conjunctivitis:

The first syndrome is the redness of the eyeball

• Bacterial conjunctivitis develops in children in 70% of cases.The disease is caused by microorganisms that normally live on the mucous membrane of the eyes. With weakened immunity, they are activated and lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Also these microorganisms can get on the mucous from the outside, along with dust, sand. The kid can bring them with dirty handles when he touches the eyes, especially during crying. The most frequent pathogens of bacterial conjunctivitis are pneumococci and staphylococci.
• The viral agent of conjunctivitis, as a rule, gets into the eyes together with adenovirus infection.
• The culprit of allergic conjunctivitis is an allergen(pollen of plants, down, food, animal hair). This type of disease is characterized by the fact that there are no secretions from the eyes, but both of the affected eyes in the child all the time itch. Allergic conjunctivitis is divided into several subspecies:

Gnostic discharge is the second sign of conjunctivitis

• 1. Seasonal: appears in spring, early summer or early autumn.It is provoked by pollen from grass or trees. The most severe is spring allergic conjunctivitis.
  2. Year-round conjunctivitis accompanies the baby throughout the four seasons.The instigators are dust mites, animal hair and feathers of birds.
  3. Giant papillary conjunctivitisprovoked constantly present in the eye by a small foreign body.

Eye drops from allergies: types, features of application

• Specificcalled conjunctivitis, in which inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye is caused by certain bacteria or viruses. These include, for example, chlamydia or gonococcal conjunctivitis, as well as herpetic damage to the eyes.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva is usually preceded by a factor that weakens local or general immunity. It can be hypothermia, micro-trauma or the ingress of aerosol or other chemical stimuli into the eye.

Forms of the disease

There is a chronic and acute form of conjunctivitis, the manifestations of which depend on the rate of the disease.

Acute conjunctivitis occurs suddenly and rapidly progresses. The chronic form of the disease is flaccid, at which it is possible to distinguish the stages of remission and exacerbation.

Do not mix with barley on the eye

Pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the eye manifest themselves in various forms:

• catarrhal;
• purulent;
• filmy;
• follicular
• mixed.

The easiest is the catarrhal form.With it, there are mucous discharge from the eyes. Purulent form is characteristic of bacterial conjunctivitis.Feminine is manifested in viral conjunctivitis by the presence of a thin gray film on the mucous membrane of the eye.It can easily be removed with a cotton swab. But if the film is dense, then the removal will be painful, with the appearance of blood. In the future, scarring may remain in these areas.The follicular form of conjunctivitis is characterized by the formation of follicles resembling small bubbles in appearance.They cover the entire surface of the mucous membrane of the eye.

The last three forms of the disease are very dangerous for the child and can lead to such complications as keratitis.

Causes

Conjunctivitis in three-year-olds develops for the same reasons as adults.The main culprits of conjunctivitis are:

• bacteria;
• viruses;
• allergens.

In addition to these factors, in infants and infants, conjunctivitis may develop due to:

• ORVI or ARI;
• hypothermia;
• severe overheating;
• general weakened state of the organism (reduced immunity);
• increased intracranial or intraocular pressure;
• obstruction or blockage of tear ducts;
• falling into the eye of a foreign body (for example, eyelashes).

Symptoms

According to the clinical picture it is difficult to determine which particular cause led to the development of conjunctivitis in the child.In turn, identifying the cause is very important for the appointment of timely and proper treatment.

Only an experienced ophthalmologist can distinguish the appearance and form of conjunctivitis.

Acute viral conjunctivitis is preceded by an acute respiratory disease. Body temperature is increased, often enlarged lateral cervical lymph nodes.There is lacrimation, photophobia, there is a slight blepharospasm (involuntary contraction of the circular muscle of the eye), itching.Eyelids - red, edematous, conjunctiva is hyperemic. Discharge from the eye is small, slimy.Sometimes on the conjunctiva appear follicles or films. This feature of the current is typical for children of three years of age.The diagnosis is made by a doctor on the basis of a combination of eye damage and the presence of acute catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

In acute bacterial conjunctivitis, there are abundant discharges: purulent or mucopurulent. Children develop symptoms such as:

• lacrimation;
• photophobia;
• pain in the eyes;
• edema of the eyelids;
• reddening of the mucous membrane of the eye;
• crust on the eyes (in the morning).

As for gonococcal conjunctivitis, in the first days mucopurulent discharge from the eyes is observed, then there are abundant purulent discharge.

Allergic conjunctivitis is symptomatic similar to that of the virus, but there are no signs of a viral infection. At the same time there is a clear connection with the effect of the allergen.Both eyes are necessarily affected.

Often against the background of the disease, the child's general health worsens, with general intoxication, body temperature rises.Fortunately, a toddler of three years old can already explain to parents that his head hurts and his eyes are scratching.

Thickening of the conjunctiva and damage to the vasculature can cause the child to temporarily reduce vision.

Diagnostics

Treatment of inflammation should be started immediately after the first signs are revealed.But not independently: first you need to see a doctor-oculist.For rapid and accurate diagnosis, parents are advised to carefully monitor the progress of the process and to tell the doctor in detail about its course.

The first thing a doctor should determine is the cause of the inflammatory process. In the case of a bacterial or viral infection, it is necessary to identify the causative agent for the selection of optimal measures.

Diagnostics includes:

• medical examination of the organs of vision;
• biomicroscopy of the eyes;
• cytology of the smear taken from the conjunctiva of the affected organ of vision.

If the child has purulent discharge, then the final diagnosis is made after a virologic, bacteriological, serological examination of the smear.If you suspect a suspected allergic condition of the disease, consultation with an allergist is required. In this case, an additional examination is recommended:

• taking allergic skin test;
• determination of the concentration of eosinophils;
• examination for the likelihood of helminthic invasion or dysbiosis.

Treatment

Treatment is appointed by the doctor after revealing the form and form of the disease.Usually it includes the use of medicines, eye treatments and herbal lotions.

Medication Therapy

Treatment is carried out with the use of topical medications - ointments and eye drops.

If the disease is caused by a bacterial infection, antibacterial drugs are prescribed, with which the eyes of the child are treated. When a viral form is detected, the use of ointments and drops with an antiviral effect is indicated.

Treatment of the affected organ

Simultaneously with drops and ointments it is recommended several times a day to conduct eye treatment with disinfectants: furacilin or solutions of boric acid.It is necessary to wash the eyes of the baby at least 4-8 times a day, using sterile cotton swabs.During the procedure, eye cleansing is performed in the direction from the outer corner to the inner corner.

Folk remedies

Chamomile is the best herbal remedy for eye washing with conjunctivitis.A weak decoction of chamomile can even dig in the eyes. In addition to chamomile, you can use a bay leaf. 3-4 crushed leaves pour 200 ml. boiling water, insist, then filter. Received infusion rubbed the eyes of the baby 5-6 times a day.

Also, with conjunctivitis, traditional medicine recommends the use of cornflower flowers. 1 tbsp. a spoon of crushed flowers pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist 30 minutes, filter.Flush the child's eyes with infusion 5-6 times a day.

Never buy drops from conjunctivitis to children on their own or on the advice of a pharmacist. They should be prescribed only by an ophthalmologist.

There are drugs that are contraindicated at the age of three.Moreover: conjunctivitis can be caused by a viral or specific infection, and its treatment in children should be carried out according to a special scheme.And this is the work of a pediatrician or infectious disease specialist. Use traditional medicine also with caution, after consulting with your doctor.

Chamomile infusion - the best natural antiseptic

Complications

Untreated conjunctivitis can lead to complications such as keratitis and abscess of deep eye tissues.It is very important to timely treat and take precautions, not to expose the child to the risk of further complications.

Three-year-olds, because of illiterate treatment of conjunctivitis, risk acquiring:

• keratitis (inflammation of the eye cornea);
• blurred vision;
• otitis;
• the throat;
• partial or total blindness.

Prevention

Preventive measures include keeping the baby and parents hygiene.Key recommendations:

• Teach your child to wash your hands regularly: before and after eating, on returning from the street to the house, etc.
• Disinfect baby toys, especially those that have been on the street.
• Teach your child to use his towel, handkerchief.
• Often spend in the house wet cleaning, air the rooms.
• Often change the bed linen baby, especially pillowcases.

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conclusions

At 3 years, children can often find conjunctivitis, so do not be afraid, moms and dads, and think about how to treat this disease so that it does not develop into a chronic form. Constant conjunctivitis in your child - this is a bright sign of a violation of the immune system, so do not pull and contact the specialists. Do not let the disease run wild and do not try to treat it yourself. Immediately run to the doctor and follow all his recommendations. Only in this case, conjunctivitis will not bring dangerous complications to the child and will quickly pass.