Conjunctivitis ("red eye" or "pink eye") is common eye condition that affects children, especially under 5 years of age. It can either be caused by an infection or by an allergy. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious and may spread to other household members. Allergic conjunctivitis is more common in children with allergies such as hay fever.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

  • a red or pink eye (or both eyes)
  • redness behind the eyelid
  • swelling of the eyelids, making them appear puffy
  • excessive tears
  • either a watery discharge or a yellow-green discharge from the eye which dries when your child sleeps, causing crusting around the eyelids
  • a dislike of bright lights (photophobia)
  • a gritty feeling (like there is sand in the eye)
  • itchiness of the eyes and eye rubbing
  • children with allergic conjunctivitis almost always rub their eyes excessively. They may also have an itchy or runny nose and sneezing
When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
  • Is going blue around the lips
  • Has a fit/seizure
  • Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
  • Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the 'Glass Test')






You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

  • Severe pain in eyes
  • Extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Changes in vision including flashing lights (vision can appear blurred or misted because of discharge smeared over the surface of the eye, but this will usually clear on blinking or wiping the eyes)
  • Severe headache
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Babies under 28 days with a red eye(s) or lots of thick pus from their eye(s). A sticky eye(s) without redness or swelling is quite common in babies due to blocked tear ducts - tis does not require review by a doctor
  • Blisters develop on the skin next to the eye
  • Redness and swelling of the skin around the eye
  • Is finding it hard to breath
  • Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or passing less urine than usual)
  • Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle down with toys, TV, food or picking up) - especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
  • Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
  • Is under 3 months of age with a temperature about 38°C/100.4°F or 3-6 months of age with a temperature above 39°C/102.2°F (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
  • Continues to have a fever above 38.0°C for more than 5 days
  • Is getting worse if you are worried






You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS Wales 111 

If none of the above features are present







Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS Wales 111 

Sticky eye in a baby/blocked tear duct - no treatment required (green)

Mild conjunctivitis - no treatment required (green)


Peri-orbital cellulitis - needs same day review (amber)

Causes of conjunctivitis

Most cases of conjunctivitis in children are caused by an infection; your child may also have a runny nose, cough or earache.

Treatment

most children with conjunctivitis do not need treatment with antibiotics - it takes the same amount of time to get better whether an antibiotic is used or not.

If your child has any features of severe infection (amber or red features above), they will need to be urgently seen by a healthcare professional who may decide that your child may benefit from antibiotic treatment. If your child is under 28 days of age and has a red eye(s) or large amounts of pus discharging from their eye(s), they need to be seen by a healthcare professional.

You can help relieve symptoms by gently cleaning the eye(s) with cotton balls soaked in warm water.

  • Clean in one direction only, outwards from the inside (nose side) of the eye. This prevents the other eye becoming infected if only one eye is affected.
  • Discard the cotton ball each time to prevent reinfection.
  • Do not try to clean inside the eyelids as this may cause damage to the inside of the eye. Lubricating eye drops such as 'artificial tears' may give some relief.
  • If your child wears contact lenses, make sure they stop using them until their symptoms have completely gone.

It can take up to 2 weeks for a child to fully recover from conjunctivitis . If your child is not improving after 2 weeks, you should take your child to see their GP.

Prevention

  • To avoid conjunctivitis spreading to other family members, make sure all family member (and your children) wash hands regularly with warm soapy water and wash your child's pillows and face cloths in hot water and detergent. Avoid sharing towels and pillows.

Your child does not need to be excluded from school or childcare if they have conjunctivitis.

This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

NHS 111 Wales

Website: NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales (Option 2) telephone service is available 24/7 and can be used for urgent mental health advice and support.

 

Meic

Website: www.meiccymru.org

Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Chat online, freephone 080880 23456, or text 84001.

 

 

C.A.L.L. Community Advice Listening Line

Website: www.callhelpline.org.uk

Provides a confidential mental health listening and emotional support line which is open 24/7. Call 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066.

 

 

Shout

Website: www.giveusashout.org

Text ‘shout’ to 85258 anytime, day or night.

 

 

Childline

Website: www.childline.org.uk

If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.

 

 

Samaritans

Website: www.samaritans.org/wales/samaritans-cymru/

Call 116 123 free, anytime, day or night.

 

 

Papyrus

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–midnight every day.

 

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Need help? Call our helpline 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year on 0800 58 58 58.

 

 

DAN 24/7 - Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline

Website: www.dan247.org.uk/

Freephone 0808 808 2234, or text DAN to 81066.

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  • Try to stay calm.
  • Tell them you are there for them and that you are not upset or angry.
  • Tell them you are pleased they have told you they are having thoughts of harming themselves and that you are able to help them through this time.
  • Listen to what they are saying even if they are venting anger or other negative emotions at you.
  • Listen without interrupting.
  • Validate their thoughts and feelings – they are real and important.
  • Try to be emotionally available and present for your child.
  • Once things appear to be settling please encourage your child to relax as the day/ evening progresses and make some suggestions for things you can do together to distract them from their thoughts (see below for some ideas).
  • Try to proactively manage any potential conflicts or arguments within your immediate environment.
  • Be mindful of excessive use of mobile devices but that young people really need to feel connected to others at times of distress.

If you are concerned that your child/ young person is at risk of harming themselves, please ensure the following:

  • All medications (prescribed/ over the counter/ vitamins) are removed and/ or locked in a strong lockable medical box or locked cupboard.  Medication needs to be stored in this way in all houses where the young person stays, including grandparents, foster carers, step parents and residential homes.
  • All sharp objects, such as knives and razor blades, to be removed and/ or stored securely.
  • Ensure the young person has not got a stock of medication or sharp objects in their room or amongst their property.
  • Other environmental risks in your home should be considered, e.g. removing ropes, ties, dressing gown ties.
  • Do not allow your child/ young person to go out alone or with friends during times of distress and when they are voicing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
  • Monitor your child/ young person’s mood and behaviour closely.
  • Increase your presence and supervision of your child at home, if needed remaining awake or checking on them during the night.
  • Ask them about thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
  • ​​​​Look out for any warning signs in your child/ young person that they might be struggling.

  • Distract yourself - watch a film or TV programme, play a computer game that absorbs your mind, or read a book you’re really interested in
  • Get creative – drawing, mindful colouring, taking photos, listening to music, singing
  • Get moving – walk, run, dance, do an exercise or yoga video
  • Comfort yourself – have bubble bath or shower, eat something you like, stroke a pet, cuddle up tightly in a blanket, rock/ hug yourself, spray a favourite perfume

 

Alternatives to self-harm when the urge to harm is very strong:

  • Hold ice in your hand for as long as you can
  • Step under a cold shower briefly
  • Run your hands under cold water
  • Snap an elastic band against your wrist
  • Hit a cushion against the wall or bed
  • Punch a punch bag or pillow
  • Go for a fast paced walk or run up and down the stairs several times
  • Tear or scrunch up paper

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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