Why does a baby's eyes fester. The newborn's eyes fester

Discharge of pus from the eyes of a newborn is a fairly common occurrence. One eye is damaged in this way, or both at once. They blush, watery, the cilia stick together and yellowish pus accumulates all the time in the corners. This can happen in a very small child, and in an older baby, but not yet out of infancy. Of course, parents are worried and immediately try to somehow wash the child's eyes. But the discharge accumulates again, the eyelids swell, the eye can completely close and swim with pus. And then you can’t do without urgent help, which will be provided only by a surgeon in a hospital, having made a puncture of the lacrimal ducts. Therefore, it is impossible to bring the baby to such a state. And at the first sign of pus in the eye, it is worth finding out the cause of its appearance.

Why can the eye fester

The main root cause is the infection that the newborn child “caught”, it is difficult to say where and how. It is transmitted either by airborne droplets or by tactile contact with bacteria. However, the manifestations that this cause has are many.

Important! As soon as you notice that at least one of the newborns has become inflamed, and the inflammation is accompanied by the outflow of pus, immediately and be sure to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist and go to an appointment.

The phenomenon of tearing, redness and suppuration of the eye can happen to anyone and at any age. But if an adult or a school-age child overcomes the disease by relieving inflammation, then in a baby, due to the imperfection of the newly formed eye ducts, it may not be possible to remove the inflammation, and the ducts will have to be cleaned mechanically. Otherwise, complications may occur, fraught with a decrease and even complete loss of vision. This is not a global operation with local anesthesia, but still an operation that is best avoided.

Important! Do not self-medicate. This does not mean that there are no folk remedies to help get rid of purulent discharge in the eye of a newborn. This only means that an ophthalmologist should prescribe these funds, along with traditional therapy.

Table. Causes of suppuration of the eye in newborns.

Cause	Description
	The most common of all causes of inflammation of the ocular mucosa.
	Obstruction of the tear duct that did not open after birth.
	These are all kinds of "cocci" that can affect the unprotected immunity of a newborn: staphylococci, meningococci, and so on.
	This group of causes includes not only SARS, but also adenovirus, congenital herpes and “childhood illness” - measles.
	With which a newborn can become infected from the mother during the passage through the birth canal.
	The list of allergens that can affect a newborn is long. Of the most dangerous: ordinary dust, plant pollen, particles of wool or hair, fragments of fluff.
	The pressure inside the eye can increase even in a child a few days old, if the disease is congenital.
	Insufficiently strong immunity, especially in artificial infants, can cause suppuration of the eyes.
	An eyelash or other foreign body can get into the eye of a newborn, which, if not removed for a long time, will cause inflammation.
	Alas, the most common cause is 60% out of a hundred. If the eyes of a newborn fester almost immediately after birth, the infection has penetrated either from the birth canal or from insufficient sterilization of instruments.
	Parents can also infect a newborn if the rules of hygienic care for the newborn are not followed.

To successfully get rid of pus in the eye, it is necessary, first of all, to find out why it appeared there. Of course, the diagnosis can only be made by a doctor. Therefore, you need to immediately go to the optometrist. You can only provide first aid to the child, but not build your own treatment regimen according to “grandmother's” or “neighborly” recipes.

By the way., which in a large number of medical episodes is diagnosed in infants, may be of a viral nature. Therefore, the newborn will also have to be isolated, if possible, from the rest of the family, especially other children.

More about symptoms

A scrupulous study of the symptoms is important because often a small amount of yellowish discharge can appear and dry in the corners of the eyes in a completely healthy baby. It is enough to remove them, and during the day they will not arise again. This is a completely normal phenomenon, caused by not fully debugged work of the organs of the newborn. With conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, an allergic reaction, and other serious problems, the symptoms will be as follows.

Purulent discharge may be accompanied by photophobia.
The temperature rises.
Decreased or lost appetite.
There is an increase in lymph nodes.
The mucous membranes of the eyes redden.
Swollen eyelids.
Tears flow from the eyes all the time.
Small bubbles appear on the edges of the eyelids.
The mucous membrane of the eye is covered with a film.
The child has a runny nose.
Sleep disturbed.
Increased capriciousness.

Of course, you should not look for absolutely all the symptoms in the aggregate, but, as a rule, at least a few of them indicate the presence of a disease. Although, even in the absence of concomitant factors, if the eye is constantly festering, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment process

Therapy will be prescribed in accordance with the identified diagnosis. The doctor, in addition to medication recommendations, will tell in detail how and what folk remedies can be used, and how to care for damaged eyes at home. Surely, in order to avoid complications, the following drugs will be prescribed.

Table. Preparations for suppuration of the eyes in a newborn.

Disease	Preparations
Adenovirus conjunctivitis	Drops: "Interferon", "Poludan" (interferon inducer). Ointment: "Florenal".
Herpes conjunctivitis	"Acyclovir" - tablets or / and cream. Ointment "Tebrofenovaya".
conjunctivitis infectious	Drops: Eubital, Vitabact, Levomycetin, Kolbiocin.
	Tissue massage at the lacrimal duct and topical anti-inflammatory drugs.
	Anti-allergic drops: "Allergoftal", "Allergodil", "Lekrolin", "Fenistil", "Dimedrol", "Spersallerg".
	"Dexamethasone" drops, "Hydrocortisone" ointment.
Viral infections	"Erythromycin" ointment.
Bacterial infections
Flushing due to a mechanical cause	"Albucid" 10%, "Furacilin" 0.2% - solutions for washing.

First aid

If it is not possible to get to the doctor immediately, it is necessary to soften and remove the pus that has dried up in a crust so that the baby can open his eyes, tearing apart the eyelashes and eyelids connected by secretions.

How can I wash a newborn eye at home? Nothing extraordinary, everything from a home first aid kit for newborn care.

Surely, there should be chamomile at home. You can use its decoction, which must be carefully filtered and brought to room temperature (all rinsing with compositions is not hot and not colder than 37 ° C)
A solution of calendula is suitable in the same antiseptic quality.
The tampon can be moistened with 2% "Furacilin" not more concentrated than 0.2%.
Weakly brewed black tea.
Saline.

Further, after removing the dried pus and clearing the eye socket, it is necessary to drip an anti-inflammatory agent. As "first aid" use "Albucid". For newborns, it should be no higher than 10% concentration.

Important! There is an opinion, or rather, a misconception, passed down from generation to generation, that festering eyes in newborns should be treated with breast milk. This is absolutely impossible to do. First, discomfort will increase, as the eyelids will stick together even more. Secondly, a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria is formed.

How are the treatments carried out?

In addition to using the funds prescribed by the doctor, it is necessary to properly carry out medical procedures so as not to provoke re-infection.

Irrigation is carried out with a personal swab for each eye, and a new swab is taken for each cleansing movement. In this way, it will be possible to avoid infection of the second eye, if it is healthy, or re-infection. It is cleaned from the outside inward with one movement, driving purulent plaque to the corner. At the point near the nose, you can linger, gently remove the swab, and use the next one if the eye is not sufficiently cleared.
solutions in the eyes must be sterilized with a pipette, pulling the eyelid from below and not touching the mucous membranes with the pipette (otherwise you will have to sterilize the device again to drip the second eye).
Before any manipulations, adults must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use swabs, discs, gauze only sterile.

If, after first aid, it was still not possible to get to the doctor immediately, you must carefully monitor the appearance or absence of the following signs:

bubbles on the edge of the upper eyelid;
photophobia;
temperature;
big swelling;
pus with the same intensity is released for more than two days.

In any of these cases, you should go to the doctor immediately.

This pathology is characterized by the fact that a film forms on the eye. You don't have to take it off on your own. It's better if the doctor does it. But you need to know that before the film is removed, therapeutic measures will not have an effect. After removing the film, massage begins, the technique of which will be shown by the doctor.

By the way. The procedure consists in the fact that the inner part of the eye is gently massaged with fingers in an up and down direction. At least six massage treatments are performed daily. Hands are washed, warmed, nails are cut short. With proper conduct, the outflow of pus should increase.

Surgery to probe the tear duct (piercing) is usually done if the problem is not resolved within four to six months after birth.

Sometimes it is enough to remove the foreign body, and the inflamed suppuration will disappear. In the eye of a newborn may be:

insect;
eyelash;
cotton fibers, if you washed your eyes prophylactically before;
speck of dust;
fragments of wool, feathers and so on.

In this case, flushing with either saline or herbal (chamomile / calendula) is necessary. If it is not possible to wash the eye on its own, or it is difficult to determine whether the result has been achieved in removing the foreign body, the doctor should do the washing.

In order not to provoke problems and protect the child from suppuration of the eye, it is necessary to carefully observe the hygiene of the newborn, as well as monitor the cleanliness of the hands of the parents.

Twice a day, the baby's eyes are wiped with a clean swab, previously dipped in boiled water (one eye - one swab).
The child's face should be washed daily, wiping dry with a disposable cloth.
Allergens are removed from the room where the newborn is located.
The hands of the baby are also washed daily with boiled water.
The nursery should be regularly ventilated, wet cleaning should be carried out.
The temperature in the room is not higher than +22 degrees and maintaining an average level of humidity to prevent the growth of bacteria.

If you follow these simple rules and do all the required vaccinations in a timely manner, in the absence of congenital or acquired diseases during the passage of the birth canal, the eyes of the newborn will be clean and healthy.

Video - Pus in the eyes of a child

Video - How to massage the lacrimal canal? Doctor Komarovsky

In the first weeks of a baby's life, suppuration often appears in his eyes. Parents panic, but you should not worry - with quick help and stopping the spread of infection, there is no danger to the child. Because of what the eyes fester, how can you help the baby, is it possible to prevent this phenomenon and why can not you wipe your eyes with breast milk?

In the first weeks of a baby's life, suppuration often appears in the eyes.

Causes of suppuration of the eyes in children

The main cause of suppuration is the impact of infections. The body of the newborn is still too weak and unable to resist the pathogenic microflora. The nasolacrimal canal, which suffers in the first place, is finally formed only by the fortieth week of life.

That's not all - the baby's tears do not contain lysozyme, which ensures the development of local immunity and resistance to bacteria. Without it, the penetration and development of infection is a matter of time, and the eye will become inflamed. Additional factors are:

adaptation of the child to extrauterine life;
the reaction of the body to Albucid, instilled by a newborn in the maternity hospital;
conjunctivitis (more in the article:);
dacryocystitis.

The diseases indicated in the last items of the list can lead to serious consequences in the future. To prevent them, it is enough to provide timely treatment under the supervision of a doctor, as well as to take care of the organs of vision of a one-month-old baby.

Characteristic signs of dacryocystitis

It looks like dacryocystitis in a baby of the first year of life

This disease occurs due to. This situation is possible due to the belated discharge of the original lubricant, which clogs the canal, as well as due to congenital pathologies leading to a narrowing of its lumen. Typical symptoms of dacryocystitis include:

discharge of pus (white or yellow purulent masses);
increased tearing;
reddened eyes that the child tries to wipe.

Sometimes the disease is expressed in the cyanosis of the eyelids, combined with swelling. Unlike some other ophthalmic diseases, dacryocystitis resolves only when the lacrimal canal is completely cleared and restores its functionality.

What is conjunctivitis?

This disease is divided into two types: infectious and non-infectious. The first develops due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, for example, chlamydia and the causative agent of gonorrhea. This happens during the passage of the baby through the birth canals of an infected mother. Also, the disease occurs after birth due to contact with carriers of the infection.

After sleep, a child with conjunctivitis cannot open his eyes due to dried pus (see also:)

A non-infectious form of the disease occurs due to foreign objects getting into the eyes. Most often they are any small particles or dust, but sometimes the eye fester as a result of contact with chemical compounds. In addition, the disease develops due to an allergic reaction to an external irritant or drug.

Symptoms of blennorrhea

Blennorrhea is a complicated type of conjunctivitis, expressed in profuse suppuration (see also:). The causative agent of the disease is gonococcus. In this case, at first the disease proceeds as a normal conjunctivitis, and then characteristic symptoms appear:

swelling and redness of the eyelids;
copious purulent discharge after the eye is severely inflamed;
the appearance of follicles and folds on the eyelids;
hardening of the eyelids, sometimes so severe that it is difficult for children to open their eyes.

The disease usually affects one eyeball, but quickly spreads to both eyes. With timely treatment, the disease does not leave any traces.

If the therapy was carried out late or with errors, then scarring is not excluded.

How to help the baby if his eye is festering?

Dear reader!
This article talks about typical ways to solve your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know how to solve your particular problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!
It is impossible to start complex therapy without consulting a doctor. This can lead to complications, and at best, the treatment simply will not be effective. The specialist will evaluate the features of the causes of suppuration, identify the exact etymology, after which, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby, prescribe a therapeutic course and recommend the necessary care.
Medical treatment
The basis of drug therapy is the destruction of the causative agent of the disease or the suppression of an allergic reaction. All drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor, self-selection is contraindicated. Essential medications include:
antibiotic wash solution;
antibacterial drops;
antiherpetic ointments;
immunomodulators (they do not eliminate the disease, but they strengthen the state of the body, which is necessary for a speedy recovery).

If the cause of suppuration is an allergic reaction, then antihistamines are required. Among the most effective doctors distinguish Tavegil, Suprastin, Fenkoral. The once popular Fenistil should be taken with caution - despite the speed, it has a number of side effects and contraindications.
Lacrimal canal massage
This method of getting rid of the disease consists in a mechanical effect on the lacrimal canal, which helps to push plugs out of it and restore patency (for more details, see the article:). The procedure, although not complicated, is responsible - everything in a newborn child is very small and delicate, and careless movements can damage the eye or canal. The massage is performed as follows:
we are looking for a lacrimal sac in the corner of the eye that is festering (it resembles a tubercle);
we place the index finger on it towards the inner eye;
with a fingertip, press the tubercle with pushing movements;
after the procedure, we wash the eye with a solution of chamomile or Furacilin (we recommend reading:).

In one approach, you can do no more than 15 pushes. If pus is actively released from the child's eye, then massage can only be done with sterile cotton wool. It will not be superfluous to make additional movements from the inner eye to the tip of the nose - this is necessary to break the embryonic film.
Traditional medicine at home
Immediately make a reservation that it is impossible to treat this disease with conspiracies. Their effectiveness has not been proven by science, time will be lost, and this is fraught with complications.
However, folk remedies for the fight against the disease exist. Among them:
washing the eyes with a weak tea solution 4 times a day;
rubbing the eyes with a decoction of chamomile flowers and sage with a succession three times a day (wash with caution, as there is a risk of allergies);
instillation of a decoction of plantain leaves (before the procedure, the leaves must be treated with boiling water).

How should the patient be cared for?

Newborns need to wash their eyes regularly.
First of all, you should protect your baby as much as possible from contact with dust and possible sources of infection and regularly wipe your eyes. To do this, remove pets from the premises. You also need to regularly do wet cleaning of the house - this not only helps to eliminate allergens and bacteria, but also removes dust.
During active suppuration, the newborn may experience additional unpleasant symptoms:
temperature increase;
headache;
sleep disorders;
poor appetite;
nasal discharge.

The child cannot report this, so watch his behavior. If he cries often, then you should show him to the doctor and take measures to relieve symptoms. Specific means, and how to do the treatment correctly, will be advised by the pediatrician.
Prevent the development of eye diseases
Most inflammations are calmly eliminated with regular cleaning of the eyes. This is done twice a day. You will need a bandage or tampon. The material is wetted in water, and the eye is rubbed in the direction from the outer corner to the inner. Disinfectant solutions are not needed for this, boiled water is suitable at home. Chamomile may also be helpful. Remember that the most dangerous period is the first month after birth.

After discharge from the hospital and the experiences associated with childbirth, mother and baby are at home. The painstaking daily work of care and supervision, feeding, lack of sleep begins. And now, after a few weeks, mommy notices that the baby's eye is festering. Why is this happening, how to help the baby, and most importantly, not to harm? When is it worth contacting an ophthalmologist, and when can you be cured at home?

Reasons why the eyes of a newborn fester

A festering eye, and sometimes both, is a fairly common problem for new parents. This is due to the adaptation of the child to a new environment inhabited by microorganisms. The tear fluid does not contain the natural enzyme muramidase, which provides the baby with immunity. It is produced a few weeks after the baby is born, and before that, his eyes remain unprotected and react to all irritating factors.

In maternity hospitals, the eyes of newborns are instilled with albucid, which protects the mucous membrane from possible infection during childbirth. But sometimes this is not enough, and upon returning home, the child's eyes turn sour.

What else is the reason for the sticking of the eyelids and why does a sticky liquid appear that dries up and needs to be removed?

reaction to the drug albucid;
conjunctivitis;
dacryocystitis.

A knowledgeable pediatrician or ophthalmologist will be able to make the correct diagnosis.

The reaction to the drug is manifested individually and often does not require any procedures and treatment.

The formation of conjunctivitis

A common cause of sore eyes in newborns. Often accompanied by severe lacrimation, purulent discharge, inflammation and redness of the eyelids.

calleddisease:

viruses;
chlamydia;
allergies;
bacteria.

Infection can occur from the mother, the staff of the maternity hospital, or from the environment that is aggressive for an unprotected organism.

VirusesThe causative agents of conjunctivitis in infants are:

streptococci;
staphylococci;
adenoviruses;
SARS;
causative agents of measles and influenza.

Infectious conjunctivitis is not dangerous, but it is contagious, so it must be treated.

Sometimes newborns develop non-infectious conjunctivitis due to dust, small particles or volatile chemicals that get into the eyes, leading to allergies. Treatment does not require special drugs, but if the manifestation of an allergic reaction is severe, the child needs to conduct a series of studies in the laboratory, identify the allergen by allergenic provocation and eliminate it.

Dacryocystitis

This is an obstruction of the lacrimal ducts, resulting in swelling and inflammation in the lacrimal sac. The disease is rare. About 5% of cases of all ophthalmic diseases in babies. But if it is not treated in a timely manner, serious complications will arise. The disease develops at birth. The thin mucous film that covers the eye in the womb, after birth and at the first cry of the baby, breaks and leaves the canal. If this does not happen, and it remains in the same place, the liquid in the channel stagnates. In such an environment, rapidly multiplying microbes appear.

In rare cases, dacryocystitis occurs due to various abnormalities leading to deformation and adhesion of the ducts. As a result, the outflow of tear fluid stops.

You can recognize this disease and not confuse it with conjunctivitis by some features:

only one eye fester, and with conjunctivitis - both;
the baby's eye waters for a long time before the appearance of pus;
the eyelid becomes very red, sometimes acquires a bluish tint;
after proper treatment, conjunctivitis disappears, and with dacryocystitis, the eye fester until the patency of the nasolacrimal canal is fully restored.

What to do if the baby's eyes fester

You can treat at home if the baby:

the eyes stick together or begin to water;
the eyeball is not reddened, but has a healthy appearance;
the child is not tormented by discharge from the eye.

the eye is very inflamed and reddened;
around it there are yellow and green discharge or crusts that appear constantly;
the child is worried and rubs the eye.

Redness of the eyes in a newborn baby may indicate the presence of inflammation

It is urgent to see an ophthalmologist, who, after examination, will tell the parents why the eye is festering or direct the discharge that appears to be bacteriologically cultured. Having identified the causative agent of the infection, the doctor will decide on further treatment.

Most often, the therapy of suppuration of the eyes in newborns is based on traditional methods. Conservative treatments are carried out at home.

Eye wash

It can be done with a decoction of chamomile, strong tea, or a solution of furacilin.

cookantiseptic for washing is not difficult:

If the doctor prescribed chamomile decoction, prepare it with. 1 st. l. chamomile flowers in half a glass of boiling water. Infuse for an hour, then filter. Chamomile is also used in sachets, this will speed up the brewing process and eliminate straining.
A solution of furacilin is made from 1 tablet per half a glass of boiling water.

Any washing liquid should be as close as possible to body temperature, approximately + 37 degrees. Before the procedure, mommy needs to wash her hands with soap and treat them with an antiseptic. Then, with a clean cloth soaked in a decoction of chamomile or in purified boiled water, dried pus and crusts on the eyelashes and eyelids are carefully removed.

Foreach eye use a separate napkin to avoid the transfer of infection.

A piece of sterile bandage is dipped into the prepared solution. The liquid should not drip, squeeze the fabric a little after wetting and draw it from the outer edge of the eye to the nose. Then, with a dry, clean cloth, carefully wipe off the remnants of pus and liquid. It doesn't matter if one eye is festering or both - treatmentcarried out for two eyes.

There is a conflicting opinion of doctors. But many adhere to the fact that if the newborn is breastfed, breast milk will be a good bactericidal medicine and eye wash. When feeding, you can carefully drip the eyes by squeezing a few drops from the nipple.

Other doctors believe that milk is not at all sterile and, as a biological fluid, it is often is a breeding ground for bacteria. And if the mother suffers from candidiasis or staphylococcus of the mammary glands, the addition of a secondary infection to the child is guaranteed. In this case, the mother must decide for herself whether to use milk for treatment or not.

In severe cases, doctors prescribe treatment with chloramphenicol or tsiprolet - liquid antibiotics. To do this, pull the eyelids with your fingers and drip not on the pupil and protein, but in the opened lower pocket, closer to the lacrimal canal. If the baby is restless, it is better to swaddle him tightly or ask the family for help. It will be necessary to instill and rinse the eyes 5-6 times, every 2-3 hours for 10 days.

We treat dacryocystitis

What does a blockage of the tear duct look like?

Sometimes washing and antibiotic treatment do not work, and the child's eye is still watery due to the blocked nasolacrimal canal. In this case, a special massage is performed. After training, it can also be done at home by washing your hands well or wearing sterile gloves. The inner corners of the eye are massaged in semicircular movements with slight pressure to develop the child's lacrimal canaliculus. In this case, the baby should not feel pain. If pus comes out after the procedure, it means that the canal has cleared a little of microbes. Then the eyes are washed. Usually, with washing and massage, dacryocystitis disappears in two weeks.

If the disease is in an advanced stage, under local anesthesia, cleaning of the nasolacrimal canals is used using a probe with an antiseptic. After such procedures, when the doctors remove the pus and disinfect the channels, the baby is prescribed antibiotics and the disease no longer worries him.

All procedures and actions related to the treatment of sore eyes in newborns should be discussed with the doctor. Home manipulations are sometimes powerless in the fight against ophthalmic diseases.

To prevent most eye inflammation in newborns, daily hygiene procedures are required. Twice a day, the baby's eyes are washed with a sterile bandage or regular wipes. waddedtampons and disks are better not to use, otherwise small villi can get on the mucous membrane, the eye will start to fester and inflammation will occur. Disinfectant solutions for the everyday toilet do not need to be done (boiled purified water is enough). Having moistened the edge of the bandage, they are carried out from the outer corner to the bridge of the nose.

What could be more important than a child's health? Parents should take care of the baby literally immediately after his birth. One of the most common problems in children of this age is suppuration of the eye. Moreover, a pathological process can occur due to the fault of the medical staff or parents, and also indicate the development of a certain ailment. In any case, treatment should be carried out only after the exact cause of suppuration of the eye is known.

Symptom Definition

The structure of the visual organ in a child does not differ from adults. But here the functionality is a little inferior. And this is not surprising, since a small organism is just beginning to develop and its protective reactions are not able to fully manifest themselves. You can often hear from mothers that the child cannot fully open his eyes in the morning after sleep, as "nitrous" has formed on them. This is what is called festering.

Affect the development of this symptom of tears. As a rule, the main purpose of the lacrimal fluid is to prevent the drying of the visual organ and the fight against pathogenic microorganisms. But when the baby is born, the so-called cork blocks the mucous channel, and it opens only after a few weeks. As for purulent discharge, they can be of different types.

You cannot self-medicate. Only an experienced doctor will be able to understand the cause of the disease and direct all efforts to eliminate it.

Causes

Purulent discharge from the eye of a newborn can occur right after he was born. Bacteria and viruses that are in the birth canal during natural delivery can affect this. It is these microorganisms that lead to the development of an infectious process in the visual organ. Also, the cause of the development of the pathological process can be chlamydia, which the mother has.

An active bacterial infection is not necessary for a possible infection.

The yellow liquid, which does not form immediately after birth, but after a few days in the hospital, indicates that the mother does not care enough for the baby. This responsibility is also placed on the medical staff, who did not follow the rules of hygiene carefully enough. Another suppuration of the eye in crumbs can be the result of prophylactic instillation of Albucid drops.

Possible diseases

The eyes of a newborn child can fester for various reasons. But most often it is infectious diseases that influence the development of the pathological process.

As soon as the first alarming symptoms were detected, it is necessary to immediately show the baby to the doctor.

The first days and months of life are sometimes difficult for a newborn. So many dangers in the form of infections and bacteria live around. Therefore, a young mother is very attentive to the hygiene of the child. Having discovered for the first time that the eyes of a newborn are festering, she does not always know what to do to alleviate his condition. Subconsciously understands - they need to be washed, but with what and how, and if it doesn’t help? Let's talk in more detail.

Parents of a newborn child in the first days or months of life often turn to the pediatrician with questions - why did eye pus appear, who or what provoked it, probably, they brought the infection in the maternity hospital, how to treat and what to do, how to wash the eyes?

There are two common reasons:

Conjunctivitis;
Dacryocystitis.

In the first case, bacteria and viruses, getting on the mucous membrane of the eyes of a newborn child, cause these troubles.

Infection occurs:

From the mother, if she is infected with herpes or coccal infections, then in the process of passing the child through the birth canal, he becomes infected.
Due to external factors, for example, improper care, contact with a sick person, violation of hygiene rules in the room where the baby lives. The first symptoms are red eyes, which fester after a few hours or days.

Dacryocystitis is a congenital pathology of the eyes of a child, occurs in 5% of crumbs. In the womb, a special protective film envelops him. With the first cry, it should burst in the lungs, larynx, lacrimal sacs. If this does not happen and the gelatin plug blocks the access of the lacrimal fluid, then the eyes of the baby begin to fester. Pathogenic bacteria accumulate in them, actively multiply, affect the mucous membrane of the eyes and eyelids of the child.

In many maternity hospitals, for preventive purposes, medical personnel bury each eye of a newborn baby with antibacterial drops.

Manifestations

In most cases, with conjunctivitis, the eyes of the baby are red at first, then pus forms in them. Or at first one eye festered, but after a day or two the second one also began to fester. You should immediately contact your local doctor at the first symptoms.

Conjunctivitis occurs as an independent disease, and accompanies another disease, often a cold. Therefore, approaches to its treatment will differ.

Dacryocystitis manifests itself in a child already in the hospital. The pus turns into crusts, after sleep the eyes of the newborn are difficult to open, the eyelashes stick together. Tears accumulate in the eyes, their outflow is difficult due to blockage of the ducts of the lacrimal sacs.

Why is this happening?

The fact is that when blinking, a tear irrigates the eyeball, collects foreign objects and pathogenic bacteria, accumulates in the inner corner of the eye and is excreted into the nose. Only cilia or other objects that accidentally get into the eyes are retained and removed from the outside. The immunity of the crumbs is much weaker than that of an adult. Because bacteria and viruses often cause discomfort to the baby.

Proper eye wash

In the initial stages, conjunctivitis is not dangerous for the health of the child, if you show his eyes to the doctor in time. He will explain in detail how to properly wash and treat the eyes of a newborn, prescribe a course of treatment. Even if one eye is affected, both should be flushed. Because the infection will quickly spread and infect a healthy eye.

If time is lost and conjunctivitis has reached its extreme stages, hospitalization of the child and serious treatment will be required. With any diagnosis, pus should be removed from the child's eyes. For this, a young mother uses:

washing;
massage (with dacryocystitis);
drops and ointments as prescribed by a doctor.

It is necessary to wash the eyes of a newborn carefully without excessive pressure on the delicate skin of the child. Use a separate cotton pad or gauze for each eye.

You can rinse with weak solutions of chamomile, furacilin. The direction of movement is from the outer corner of the eye to the nose. Some mothers can wash the eyes of a newborn with tea leaves, but this method of treatment is controversial. Not all pediatricians approve of it.

If the pus is not removed from the eyes of the child, then the likelihood of hospitalization of the crumbs increases. In the case of dacryocystitis, an ophthalmologist will perform an operation under local anesthesia and, using a probe, remove the film that blocked the ducts of the lacrimal sacs.

After that, the young mother should still continue to wash each eye of the newborn child until the pus completely ceases to stand out from his eyes.

Massage is an alternative to surgery for dacryocystitis

Massage is a non-surgical way to push plugs out of the tear ducts. A young mother will easily master it, after consulting a doctor. Massage is effective for the crumbs of the first two months of life.

Action List:

Wash your hands with soap.
Rinse the eyes of the newborn and remove all accumulated pus.
With one hand, gently hold the head of a newborn baby.
With the little finger of the second hand, it is easy to press and move from the inner edge of the eye down along the nose and back.
Repeat 10 times for each eye of the newborn.
Up to 7 courses should be performed during the day.

Thus, additional pressure is created on the ducts and the lacrimal sac, the fluid in it presses and pushes the plug. The channels are cleared, the outflow of tears is getting better, the souring of the eye passes.

If after 1-2 days the eyes of a newborn baby still fester, you should consult a doctor. Most likely, he will prescribe ointments and drops with antibacterial properties.

You should know that there are extremely rare cases when the tear ducts do not open after massage and washing, and the eyes fester further. This is the fusion of the walls of the duct and the irregular shape of the lacrimal canals themselves. In these situations, the only way out will be surgery and artificial expansion of the duct.

The patient and meticulous care of the mother for the eyes of the baby will bear fruit in a maximum of a couple of weeks, there will be no trace of dacryocystitis.

Be careful and patient when caring for your baby. Take care of yourself and the health of your baby!

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