Conjunctivitis, Antibiotic Treatment (Child)

Home care

Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe eye drops or an ointment. These contain antibiotics to treat the infection. Follow all instructions when using this medicine.

To give eye medicine to a child

1. Wash your hands well with soap and clean, running water.

2. Remove any drainage from your child’s eye with a clean tissue. Wipe from the nose out toward the ear, to keep the eye as clean as possible.

3. To remove eye crusts, wet a washcloth with warm water and place it over the eye. Wait 1 minute. Gently wipe the eye from the nose out toward the ear with the washcloth. Do this until the eye is clear. Important: If both eyes need cleaning, use a separate cloth for each eye.

4. Have your child lie down on a flat surface. A rolled-up towel or pillow may be placed under the neck so that the head is tilted back. Gently hold your child’s head, if needed.

5. Using eye drops: If your child struggles to keep their eyes open when adding the drops, have them close their eyes and apply drops in the corner of the eye where the eyelid meets the nose. The drops will pool in this area. When your child blinks or opens their lids, the drops will flow into the eye. Give the exact number of drops prescribed. Be careful not to touch the eye or eyelashes with the dropper.

6. Using ointment: If both drops and ointment are prescribed, give the drops first. Wait 3 minutes, and then apply the ointment. Doing this will give each medicine time to work. To apply the ointment, start by gently pulling down the lower lid. Place a thin line of ointment along the inside of the lid. Begin near the nose and move out toward the ear. Close the lid. Wipe away excess medicine from the nose area outward. This is to keep the eyes as clean as possible. Have your child keep the eye closed for 1 or 2 minutes so the medicine has time to coat the eye. Eye ointment may cause blurry vision. This is normal. Apply ointment right before your child goes to sleep. In infants, the ointment may be easier to apply while your child is sleeping.

7. Wash your hands well with soap and clean, running water again. This is to help prevent the infection from spreading.

General care

• Make sure your child doesn’t rub their eyes. If your child touches their eyes, help them wash their hands.

• Shield your child’s eyes when in direct sunlight to avoid irritation.

• Don't let your child wear contact lenses until all the symptoms are gone.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised.

Special note to parents

To keep from spreading the infection, wash your hands well with soap and clean, running water before and after touching your child’s eyes. Throw away all tissues. Clean washcloths after each use. Avoid sharing towels or other personal items with a child who has pinkeye. Have your child wash their hands often.

When to seek medical advice

Unless your child's healthcare provider advises otherwise, call the provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever (see Fever and children, below)

• Your child has vision changes, such as trouble seeing

• Your child shows signs of infection getting worse, such as more warmth, drainage, redness, or swelling

• Your child’s pain gets worse (babies may show pain as crying or fussing that can’t be soothed)

Fever and children

Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

• Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

• Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.

• Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.

Use a rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the healthcare provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any healthcare provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.

Below is when to call the healthcare provider if your child has a fever. Your child’s healthcare provider may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.

When to call a healthcare provider about your child’s fever

For a baby under 3 months old:

• First, ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________as advised by the provider

For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):

• Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider

In these cases:

• Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age

• Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider