Conjunctivitis or sticky eye?

My 8 month old is recovering from the flu and is at the miserable cold stage. I have noticed his eyes are very teary and gooey. It looks like conjunctivitis without the redness. I'm not sure if its just sticky eye from the cold or what.  I would hate to schlepp him out to the GP and wait in a filthy waiting room full of sick people for them to tell me its sticky eye. Anyone know some home remedies for sticky eye?

The only sure fire home remedy I know for pink eye, etc. is breastmilk.  I don't know if you're nursing or not but even a few drops would help.  Hope he feels better soon!

The only sure fire home remedy I know for pink eye, etc. is breastmilk. I don't know if you're nursing or not but even a few drops would help. Hope he feels better soon!

Oh really? Thats strange. Never heard that before. No not breastfeeding but thanks for the advice!

Every time that Niall has had red eye we've been given antibiotic eye drops.

Just for anyone who's interested..

"Breastmilk & it's Many Uses"
by Samuelina Wan
(from "Keeping Abreast" Apr-Jun 1999 issue)
 
Did you think that Breastmilk is only for feeding baby?  As breastmilk is “clean” and has anti-bacterial & healing properties, have you considered other great uses for it?

Here are some that you can try!  [Note:  Suitable for babies & children, and even adults!]

Eye infections / Conjuctivitis ("Pink Eye"):  Squirt into the eye.  Do this as frequently as possible until healed.  If the baby/child doesn’t allow you to squirt breastmilk into his eye, then do it while they are sleeping.  Squirt around the crease of closed eyes, then gently lift the lids to allow the breastmilk to seep into the eye.

Sore/cracked nipples:  Rub into nipples after feedings and air dry.

Scratches/Scrapes/Cuts:  Squirt & clean wound first with the breastmilk; then apply some more on wound and air dry.  This is really great when on outings where no ready water supply is available.  If the cut is on the lips or mouth area, healing will be especially easy for a breastfeeding baby or child.  Just the simple act of nursing the child not only calms the child from the pain of the injury, but the breastmilk that must pass the wound during nursing will close the cut rather quickly.

Mosquito bites / Ant bites: Squirt on bite and rub in.  Helps to stop the itching.

Ear infections: Squirt or pour into sore ear

Acne / Eczema / Diaper rash:  Wash skin with water, then apply breastmilk all over.  Air Dry.

Facial Cleanser:  Apply breastmilk on face & wipe clean.  Great even for removing eye-makeup!

Sore throats/Mouth Sores:  A baby/child that is still breastfeeding can benefit by directly nursing.  If not, drinking a cup of expressed breastmilk will help.  It certainly helped when my then 19-month-old son had mouth sores from a bout of Hand, Foot & Mouth disease.  His mouth was too sore to nurse directly from the breast, but drinking expressed breastmilk from a cup helped heal the sores in a day.

Stuffy noses: Squirt into nose and suction or squeeze out as you would with saline.

If you have an older child/spouse who is ill, give them some breastmilk.  It's a great immunity booster!

OK, what is sticky eye?  Is it less serious then pink eye!!!


Holy Breast Milk Robin!!!!  I better tell my friends!

If when he wakes up the eye is stuck together, or if there's a real redness to the eye/inside the eye then it's conjuntivitus and needs anti-biotics(the real sure way to combat it).  Otherwise, it's probably just a sympton of the cold.  I'd probably ride it out unless he's really itching/rubbing like mad.  A bad headache can also go along with it.  Conjunctivitus is the same virus as a cold

  Hi Pebbles, 

     Same thing happened to Rhiannon not too long ago when she was sick with the flu and the doctor told me as long as it wasnt getting red to simply keep it clean by washing her eye with a warm wet wash cloth. He didnt want to give her anything for it because he felt it wasnt necessary. It took a while but it cleared up.

  Hi Pebbles, 

     Same thing happened to Rhiannon not too long ago when she was sick with the flu and the doctor told me as long as it wasnt getting red to simply keep it clean by washing her eye with a warm wet wash cloth. He didnt want to give her anything for it because he felt it wasnt necessary. It took a while but it cleared up.

We did this too and it worked fine. I also put breastmilk on them and on the eyes of my 2 year old who had it at the same time. Worked a charm.

Thanks for that great info you posted, Kristi. Will save that for future reference!

Well he got up this morning and his eye wasnt stuck together and it doesnt seem as runny so I guess its not conjunctivitis. Ill just keep cleaning them all day. Thanks for all your help everyone

Well he got up this morning and his eye wasnt stuck together and it doesnt seem as runny so I guess its not conjunctivitis. Ill just keep cleaning them all day. Thanks for all your help everyone

My GP told me to use warm boiled water with a tiny amount of salt in it for bathing eyes.