What is conjunctivitis in children?

Also known as “pink eye,” conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the white part of the eye. There are several types of conjunctivitis; the three most common are viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis.

Viral and bacterial are contagious from eye to eye, and from little people to little people. For this reason, it is common for children (especially those in a daycare/kindergarten setting) to get it more frequently than adults, and to pass it on to each other and siblings. Because the eyes are contagious for about 24-48 hours from onset, hands should be washed frequently to avoid transmission.

Signs and symptoms:

Viral conjunctivitis - The symptoms include red eyes, swollen eyelids and fluid leaking from the eyelids. The fluid is usually clear in color and watery in consistency.

Bacterial conjunctivitis - Red, gooey eyes. Children often wake up with lids stuck together. Fluid leaking from the eyelids is frequently thick and green, or yellow in color.

How to treat and prevent conjunctivitis:

Viral conjunctivitis, like a viral cold, will play its course in about a week. To help keep the eyelids and lashes clean, use Eye Boogies spray 3-4 times a day for one week. When resolved, continue using once a day to help prevent the infection from coming back. In some cases, an antibacterial eye drop will be prescribed to help fight off secondary infections. It is okay to use Eye Boogies spray while your child is prescribed antibiotics.

To help fight bacterial conjunctivitis, an antibacterial eye drop will most likely be prescribed. To clean the eyelids and lashes, have your child use Eye Boogies spray 3-4 times a day for one week. In addition, to remove goo and eyelid debris, spray the Eye Boogies on a cotton pad and gently wipe the eyes clean while closed. Follow by spraying the closed eyes again with 1-2 pumps of Eye Boogies spray to help facilitate the healing process.

Watch our video here of how to spray it on.

How to prevent conjunctivitis in children:

To help prevent the spread of conjunctivitis, make sure your child keeps their hands and face clean, especially after school. Hand washing with a mild soap is ideal, and using Eye Boogies spray on the entire face, with eyes closed, will keep the area clean. As a tear-free and wipe-free solution, Eye Boogies is made with non-toxic hypochlorous acid, which studies have shown to help fight bacteria and viruses. Best of all, Eye Boogies spray is safe enough to use multiple times a day and is convenient to carry around for on the go.

*Always consult your child’s pediatrician before use of any products. If you think your child has conjunctivitis or an eye infection, reach out to your child’s pediatrician or eye care provider.