Conjunctivitis during pregnancy: treatment features and prevention

Eye disease - conjunctivitis - is often found in pregnant women. Against the backdrop of an interesting situation in the future mother decreases the activity of the immune system. But the "dormant" infections, including conjunctivitis, are activated.What causes also trigger an outbreak of this disease during a woman's pregnancy? Is conjunctivitis harmful to the fetus?

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the connective membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the sclera-conjunctiva. Depending on the causes of the disease is divided into three types: viral, bacterial and allergic.

Viral conjunctivitis can result from a cold or systemic viral infections: measles, rubella, chicken pox, mumps.As an independent disease, it can appear as a result of infection with an enterovirus or adenovirus.

Timely diagnosis of the disease - the key to successful treatment without damage to the fetus

Bacterial conjunctivitis can develop after exposure to the eye of any pathogenic microorganisms.These include streptococci, staphylococci (golden, epidermal, saprophytic), intestinal and pseudomonas aeruginosa, Koch's bacterium, gonococcus, corynebacteria diphtheria.

Allergic conjunctivitis is always a consequence of exposure to a certain allergen:

• flower pollen;
• ordinary dust;
• wool pet.

Allergic irritation in pregnant women can also arise as a reaction to the use of low-quality cosmetics, the effect of fumes of chemical compounds.

The allergic and bacterial form of conjunctivitis is eliminated quite quickly. But with the viral form of the disease, serious treatment may be required.That is why it is important to establish the true cause and understand the appearance of conjunctivitis in pregnant women.This can only be done by a doctor after a thorough diagnosis of blood and eye discharge of the patient. Do not take any medications on your own. This especially applies to antihistamines and hormones.

Features of manifestation in pregnancy

Childbearing is always a reduction in immune defenses and a weakening of the woman's body.

Against this background, inflammatory diseases can be activated under the influence of provoking factors:

• catarrhal infections;
• lack of vitamins that provide eye nutrition;
• violations of hygiene;
• marked myopia;
• improper wearing of contact lenses;
• chronic diseases of the ear, throat and nose;
• hypothermia;
• physical or chemical influences (smoke, dust, heat, cold wind).

To determine conjunctivitis is not difficult.In general, the symptomatology of the disease is the same as usual:

• irritation;
• discomfort, burning sensation, sand in the eye area;
• redness;
• lacrimation;
• increased sensitivity to light;
• mucous (or purulent) discharge.

Determine the form of the disease (which is very important) you can by blood analysis.Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by such signs as:

• abundant secretions of yellow or greenish color, accumulating in the corners of the eyes;
• pronounced edema of the eyelids;
• redness of eye proteins.

From this form of conjunctivitis, one eye or both eyes may suffer at once.

In future mothers, viral conjunctivitis affects both eyes and is accompanied by signs of a cold: chills, fever, coughing, migraine.

Pronounced hyperemia of the eyes and sensation of itching are supplemented by abundant separation of tear fluid.These symptoms indicate the development of viral conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis causes the following symptoms:

• severe itching and discomfort;
• involuntary lacrimation;
• significant flushing of both eyes;
• coryza;
• sneezing;
• rashes on the surface of the skin.

The greatest danger is for the developing fetus, bacterial conjunctivitis, especially those caused by chlamydia.In this case, the pregnant woman will be disturbed by viscous yellow discharge from the eyes, sometimes - the dryness of the mucous membrane.

Methods of treatment

If conjunctivitis occurs in pregnant women, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.It is very important to identify the cause of the disease in order to exclude the inflammation caused by chlamydia.

Bacterial

This type of conjunctivitis presents a risk to the fetus due to the likelihood of intrauterine infections: a child can catch them at birth.Statistics of these cases are very disappointing: in children infected with chlamydia during childbirth, conjunctivitis develops in 50% of cases, and 30% of them soon get pneumonia.

To treat chlamydia conjunctivitis in pregnant women should be cautious, strictly observing the rules of eye hygiene. Perhaps, the doctor will have to prescribe antibacterial drugs, but in this case there is a probability of consequences for the fetus. So, if there is an opportunity to do without them, it is better to limit oneself to more gentle means of conjunctivitis in adults that do not affect the fetus.

Pregnancy is a critical period, therefore, whenever possible, avoid any strong medications, especially tablets.All preparations of antibacterial type should be applied only topically. This minimizes the risk to the fetus during treatment.A qualified doctor, of course, knows this, so you should listen to his recommendations. As a rule, an ophthalmologist advises treating this disease in a complex way, using local drugs and recipes of traditional medicine.

Viral

In the viral nature of conjunctivitis, the doctor usually prescribes eye drops with interferon, acyclovir, warm compresses based on anti-inflammatory and antiseptic compounds.

Allergic

If the cause of the disease is allergy, then the use of ointments stopping the itching is indicated. Allergic conjunctivitis is rarely seen in a pregnant woman for the first time. Usually it is an exacerbation of already having a disease.The very treatment of allergy during pregnancy is fraught with a number of difficulties: most methods It is prohibited to use the survey and medicines during this period because of their potential the fetus.

The negative effect of the disease on the fetus is not. Perhaps only a small toxic effect on the child, but only when using drugs prohibited for pregnant women.

It is very important to carry out measures to reduce contact with allergens as hard as possible. Local treatment is limited to derivatives of sodium cromoglycate.It is highly undesirable to use antihistamines because of their potential effect on the fetus. But if there is such a need, then preference is given to third-generation drugs - Telfast - in minimally effective dosages.

Sometimes a doctor enters into the treatment regimen sorbents up to two weeks.The prognosis for allergic conjunctivitis is quite favorable, however, in the absence of treatment, often There is a secondary infection or exacerbation of the existing pathology of the eyes (keratitis, glaucoma and etc.).

Folk recipes

They say that "onions are from seven ailments".Indeed, to defeat viral conjunctivitis will help onions.Chop and put a saucer with a bow somewhere near.Breathe them a few hours (you can during the night). Onions contain phytoncides that kill viruses.

With a simple form of conjunctivitis with mild symptoms, it is recommended that the eye be washed with strong black tea, a decoction of chamomile or sage. Dampen the cotton pad and wipe the eye.

Folk recipes should be used only after consultation with the doctor.

Features of the treatment of conjunctivitis in pregnant women

It is important to remember that:

1. Without treatment, the infection can spread.Especially dangerous is the spread of a viral infection (herpes conjunctivitis, herpetic inflammation of the eyelids, adenovirus). Such an infection can damage the fetus.
2. When pregnancy is allowed to use a very narrow list of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunotropic drugs.
3. The list of medicines used locally is practically the same as that prescribed for other periods of a woman's life:eye drops and ointments in dosages recommended by a qualified technician.
4. To activate the body's defense system and prevent the development of repeated infections of the mucous membranes eye nutrition is important, with enough vitamins and all nutrients substances.Perhaps the use of immunomodulators and immunostimulants, but these drugs are prescribed only in consultation with obstetrician-gynecologists, who are watching a woman.
5. If a clamidiosis conjunctivitis is detected in a pregnant woman, it is necessary to inform the obstetrician of a woman's consultation who will prescribe further treatment in a specialized hospital.Congenital chlamydia is a dangerous disease for the child.
6. In no case you can not apply bandages and tampons to the affected eye, and crusts from the eyelids should be removed.

Prevention

In order not to get infected with conjunctivitis, including repeatedly, the doctor usually gives the pregnant women the following recommendations:

• reception of multivitamins;
• treatment of inflammatory diseases in neighboring organs (otitis media, pharyngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis);
• compliance with the rules of wearing contact lenses;
• correction of visual acuity;
• protection of the eyes from harmful environmental factors.

To increase immunity in pregnant women is extremely undesirable, so the main task in this period is to be careful, do not overcool, often wash your hands and do not rub your eyes.

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conclusions

Conjunctivitis in pregnant women is a disease that appears quite often.But if everything is done correctly, to follow the recommendations of the ophthalmologist, this disease will not become a serious problem for the health of the baby and the vision of the woman. Read how to quickly cure conjunctivitis in an adult.If after the birth you notice a conjunctivitis or similar symptoms in the baby, then contact the doctor immediately, and read this article for your reference.