Bacterial conjunctivitis in a child: causes, symptoms, treatment, complications
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (outer transparent membrane of the eye), which is accompanied by hyperemia and swelling. Most often, the inflammatory process spreads to both eyes. Symptoms of conjunctivitis vary depending on the cause. Pathology is common and occurs in children of all age groups.
Causes of conjunctivitis and the main types of the disease
The inflammatory process can develop due to agents of infectious and non-infectious origin. The main causes of conjunctivitis:
- adenoviruses: if the child, in addition to inflammation of the conjunctiva, has symptoms of SARS, then, most likely, viral conjunctivitis is diagnosed. 50% of diseases in children are caused by adenoviruses;
- bacteria: thick discharge of yellow or gray color, swelling and sticking of the eyelids indicate that the child has bacterial conjunctivitis. Usually, causative agents are staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, gonococci, hemophilic bacillus. Newborns are diagnosed with gonorrheal (gonococcal) conjunctivitis;
- allergens: itching, swelling, redness, watery discharge from the eyes and nose indicate that the inflammation was caused by allergenic irritants (dust, pollen, smoke, chlorinated water, etc.);
- chlamydia: chlamydial conjunctivitis develops in children under one year. Infection from the mother occurs during childbirth. Learn more about chlamydia on our website https://dobrobut.com/;
- herpes virus: recently, conjunctivitis has become more common in children, in which vesicles and pustules appear on the edges of the eyelids.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by mechanical irritants: foreign bodies, chemical agents, ultraviolet radiation.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in children
Inflammation of the conjunctiva is accompanied by:
- hyperemia (redness) of the fibrous membrane of the eyes;
- point hemorrhages under the conjunctiva;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- watery or mucous-viscous discharge from the eyes;
- feeling of "sandy dust" in the eyes;
- throbbing/aching pain, burning, heartburn;
- itching;
- sensitivity to light;
- tears;
- neovascularization (growth of blood vessels) of the cornea;
- point epithelial erosions;
- blurred vision.
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by symptoms of hay fever: sneezing, sore throat, runny nose. Patients complain of unbearable itching, mucous secretions. Hyperplasia of the papillae is observed, accumulations of thick mucus are formed on the eyelashes. Purulent conjunctivitis can progress with high temperature, sore throat, purulent secretions in large quantities.
According to the clinical course, acute and chronic conjunctivitis are distinguished. The first is characterized by the rapid development of symptoms: edema, hyperemia, discharge from the eyes. With a chronic course, the clinical picture is smoothed out, the disease progresses slowly.
The diagnosis of "conjunctivitis" is made after a visual examination of the child's eye and culture from the conjunctiva for pathogenic microflora. If the etiology is not obvious, the possibility of mechanical irritation is suspected. Quite often, the presence of a foreign body can mask conjunctivitis.
Treatment of conjunctivitis in children
If any changes appear in the child's eye, you should consult an ophthalmologist. The symptoms of conjunctivitis in children are similar to the symptoms of other eye pathologies, so a differential diagnosis is required to exclude deeper inflammatory diseases or the presence of a foreign body. Pain, fear of light, lack of reaction to "protocol" therapy of conjunctivitis indicate other eye pathologies: uveitis, keratitis, scleritis, episcleritis, ophthalmic herpes zoster.
Treatment of conjunctivitis in children varies depending on the etiology. There is no specific therapy for viral conjunctivitis, so medications are not prescribed. Usually, inflammation of the conjunctiva goes away on its own within one to three weeks. Only a hygienic toilet of the eyes is necessary. The doctor informs the parents of the small patient about the contagious nature of the disease and precautionary measures: do not allow the child to touch his eyes with his hands, refrain from contact with other children, use an individual towel, etc.
In case of allergic conjunctivitis, it is desirable to identify the allergen so that the child avoids contact with it. A cold compress can ease the child's condition. Drug therapy is carried out according to the scheme prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Antihistamines and vasoconstrictor drugs are sprinkled for quick relief of symptoms. Hydrocortisone ointment is also used, which relieves swelling and reduces itching. The duration of treatment should not exceed two weeks. Complex therapy includes the use of mast cell stabilizers (sodium cromoclitate) in the form of eye drops.
Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis: possible complications
Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis depends on the identified microflora. Children are prescribed eye drops: chloramphenicol (levomycetin), sulfacyl sodium 20% and/or ointments, such as tetracycline. The toilet and washing of the eyes are mandatory, only after that the medicine is sprinkled: hands are washed, the child is put in and his head is tilted back. If the child is afraid, it is easier to drip the medicine into the inner corner of the closed eye. When the child opens his eyes, the drops will get inside.
How to treat conjunctivitis in a 2-3 year old child if some drops cause heartburn? At this age, babies are usually prescribed ointment. With clean hands, you should carefully pull the lower eyelid of the child down a little and run a strip of ointment along its edge. When blinking, the medicine will spread evenly over the mucous membrane.
Self-medication or violation of the drug regimen prescribed by the doctor threatens the transition of acute conjunctivitis to chronic. The most common complication of conjunctivitis is keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). A timely visit to the doctor and strict implementation of all recommendations is the key to the health of the child's eyes.
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