Pink eye in babies is characterized by eye redness, irritability and discomfort. Babies will often rub their eyes frequently due as a result, which may worsen symptoms if left untreated.

Most often, pink eyes in babies is caused by a viral or bacterial eye infection, also referred to as bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.

If you suspect your baby may have pink eye, the baby should be assessed by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist. Treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis and may involve the use of antibiotic eye drops, antihistamines, and keeping the eye clear of secretions.

Main symptoms

The most common symptoms of pink eye in babies or newborns include:

Red or irritated eyes
Tearing eye
Crusting eyes with thick white or yellow discharge
Itchy eyes, prompting the baby to rub his/her eyes frequently
Mild swelling on the eyelids or around the eyes
Hypersenstivity to light
Irritability or difficulty eating
Fever, particularly with bacterial conjunctivitis .

This symptom may be present in just one eye or both eyes, with both eyes usually being affected with allergic conjunctivitis. It is important for the baby to be assessed by a pediatrician or ophthalmologist to confirm a diagnosis and orient treatment, which will depend on the type of conjunctivitis.

Possible causes

Pink eye in babies can be caused by:

Eye infections from microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi
Allergies, due to contact with pollen, mold or dust
Side effect of eye drops such as silver nitrate and antibiotic eye drops, which can cause eye irritation.

Sometimes, a blocked tear duct can be confused with pink eye in babies due to similar symptoms such as watery or yellow secretions coming out of the eyes.

Treatment options

Treatment for pink eye in babies is as follows:

1. Bacterial conjunctivitis

It is common to experience more eye crust with bacterial pink eye, a symptom that can affect both eyes. This type of pink eye usually requires antibiotic treatment with eye drops, ointments or syrups.

In addition, it important to keep the eyes clean and free of discharge, as discharge can promote the growth of more bacteria and delay recovery.

Bacterial pink eye that is left untreated can lead to complications like meningitis or penumonia, It is important to follow treatment as instructed by the doctor to prevent complications and ensure the baby’s recovery.

2. Viral conjunctivitis

In these cases, treatment typically involves just cleaning the eyes with clean gauze soaked in saline, filtered water or mineral water. This type of pink eye generally resolves on its own within a week without medical interventions.

Some eye drops, particularly moisturizing eye drops, may be prescribed by a doctor, but their objective is just to reduce discomfort.

3. Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergy-related pink eye is triggered by an allergy to a product or substance. Symptoms can usually be relieved with antihistamines or cortisone, which reduce the body’s immune response.

Other important measures

When treating pink eye in babies, it is essential to follow treatment as directed, as well as adopt certain measures to ensure full recovery. These can include keeping the eye clean by using clean tissues and opting for a new one every time.

Other important considerations are:

Keeping the baby home while symptoms are present
Washing the baby’s face and hands several times per day
Avoid hugging or kissing the baby while the infection is active
Changing the baby’s pillow case and bath towel every day

These considerations will help to prevent spread of the infection to the baby’s other eye, as well as prevent transmission to other people.

You should not apply breastmilk to the baby‘s eye, as there are not studies that prove its efficacy with these types of infections. Boric acid is completely contraindicated for the treatment of pink eye.