Causes of Pink Eyes in Children

Not only is pink eye uncomfortable for your kiddo, it is also something that can send them home from school or daycare!  There are different causes of conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, in children.  Some are contagious, some are not. Treatment of pink eyes will vary depending upon the underlying cause.

Cause #1: Allergies

This is very common this time of year in Oklahoma especially after all the windy days we've had recently.  The white part, or conjunctiva, will be red.  Kids usually complain of itching or watering eyes.  You may notice some puffiness around the eyelids.  They will not have thick discharge.  This is NOT contagious!

Treatment:

If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, there are several great over-the-counter options. Claritin and Zyrtec both come in a chewable tab.  Flonase works great if your child can tolerate a nasal spray.  In some cases, allergy eye drops or prescription allergy medication may be needed.

Cause #2:  Viral Infection

This will commonly be accompanied by other viral symptoms like a runny nose or cough.  Similar to allergic pink eye, the white part of the eye will be red.  Your child may complain of irritation and increased lacrimation or tears.  They may have a little eye discharge, especially when they wake up in the morning, but will not have copious discharge throughout the day. This IS contagious.

Treatment:

Antibiotics will not treat viral pink eye.  Over-the-counter drops may help treat symptoms like dryness or irritation, but will not help the infection resolve any quicker.  A child is contagious until symptoms resolve.

Cause #3:  Bacterial Infection

This is the pink eye accompanied by thick, purulent eye drainage.  The white part of the eye will also be red.  Similar to the other types of pink eye, you may notice some redness and swelling around the eyelids.  This IS contagious. Bacterial infections can be associated with an inner ear infection.  If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to have your chid examined.

Treatment:

This requires prescription antibiotic drops or ointment to resolve.  A child is no longer contagious after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

In all cases, warm or cool compresses can provide symptomatic relief for your child.  Frequent hand washing and using clean towels is also important. 

If your child has pink eyes, the providers at Saving Grace can answer any of your questions or concerns. Whether it  requires antibiotics or not, we can help your child get to feeling better. Call us or schedule a virtual or in-home visit today.