When caused by a bacteria, children with pink eye (conjunctivitis) will have green or yellow discharge from their eyes and the white parts of their eye and the inside of the lower eyelid will be red. In addition to being matted when they wake up, with bacterial conjunctivitis, you will have to frequently wipe away the drainage from your child's eyes.
Children can also have pink eye from allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), which will cause their eyes to be red, itchy, and tearing.
Viral infections can also cause pink eye. In addition to being intensely red, children with a virus that causes pink eye will have tearing and a white discharge. Pink eye can also be caused by irritants, like smoke and dust.
Treatments for Pink Eye
Bacterial causes of pink eye require an antibiotic, either topical drops or ointments or an oral antibiotic if your child has another bacterial infection (like an ear infection).
Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with typical allergy medications, and topical drops, like Patanol, although allergy eye drops aren't approved for use on infants.
Viral causes of pink eye do not usually require treatment.
Whatever the cause, you should usually wipe away any eye discharge with a warm moist cloth and wash your hands frequently in case it is contagious.
If your child with pink eye doesn't respond to typical treatments, or if he also seems to have pain (fussiness, not sleeping, etc.) or vision problems, an evaluation by a pediatric ophthalmologist can be a good idea.
Preventing Pink Eye
Pink eye often seems to be one of the more contagious childhood infections, especially for kids in day care. That is likely because younger kids often rub their eyes, which can easily spread the infection. Preventing pink eye revolves around good hand washing, especially after wiping matting from your child's eyes.
