Constantly spending time within the walls of the house will not benefit the child’s body, but with conjunctivitis the situation is completely different. Is it possible to walk with conjunctivitis in children? Parents often turn to the doctor with a similar question. It is impossible to give a definite answer. Everything will depend on how severe the illness is, how the baby feels, and what caused the illness. Even the time of year matters. Moreover, the disease is contagious, and it is better to avoid contact with other children.
Symptoms
With conjunctivitis, specific symptoms occur, namely:
- discomfort in the eye area - burning, itching, pain;
- increased sensitivity to bright light;
- swelling of the organs of vision;
- pinkish tint of the shell;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- discharge of mucous and purulent exudate.
If all of the above phenomena are present, you must stop walking. Uncomfortable symptoms accompany any form of the disease, but they vary:
- viral - itching, burning, lacrimation, redness, swelling of the conjunctiva, mucus discharge, rash of follicles on the lower fold;
- bacterial – pain and sticking of eyelashes, photophobia, lacrimation, the conjunctiva becomes red with bloody streaks;
- epidemic hemorrhagic - hemorrhages throughout the entire eye cavity;
- allergic – lacrimation, itching, swelling, photophobia.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis is accompanied by asymptomatic symptoms, sometimes there is redness of the eyes, photophobia, and lacrimation. 3-5 days after the onset of the disease, pathology of the lymph nodes in the area of the auricles develops. Whether it is possible to go outside with conjunctivitis will be known after diagnosis.
How does the disease manifest itself?
There is probably no need to talk about the symptoms of a disease such as conjunctivitis. Every adult knows that with this disease the whites of the eyes become red, tears flow profusely, and purulent discharge appears at night. A patient with conjunctivitis has increased sensitivity to bright light. In severe cases, even visual impairment may occur.
Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor may prescribe bed rest. Then the question of whether it is possible to walk with conjunctivitis will disappear by itself. Often the course of this disease is accompanied by a feverish state of the child, which, of course, excludes the possibility of even going outside.
Children of any age, including newborns, are at risk for this disease. A baby can become infected from the mother during the birth process, passing through her birth canal. It is impossible to say exactly how long it takes to treat conjunctivitis in a newborn, but with an uncomplicated course of the disease, therapy lasts on average 5-7 days.
Symptoms
Inflammation of the conjunctiva can be accompanied by various symptoms, depending on the etiology of the disease. The nature of the disease determines not only the symptoms that appear, but also their severity. Let's consider the clinical picture of different forms of conjunctivitis:
Bacterial
Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by numerous signs that cause the child discomfort and poor health. In young children, the temperature rises, the eyelids and cheeks swell.
Two eyes are affected, mucosal hyperemia and photophobia are noted, and over time, lacrimation and strong discharge from the organs of vision in the morning begin. Sometimes the baby simply cannot open his eyes after sleep and complains of constant itching and burning. For treatment, the ophthalmologist usually prescribes drops and ointments with antibiotics (Floxal, Tobrex, Ciprofloxacin, Albucid, Tetracycline and Erythromycin ointments)
Treatment of conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can be treated in several ways. If the cause of the disease is a bacterial infection, you can use antibacterial ointments (tetracycline, neomycin, erythromycin) or eye drops with antibiotics (Albucid, Vigamox, Tobradex, etc.). For viral conjunctivitis, washing the eyes with interferon helps a lot. The procedure should be carried out at least 6 times a day. Since the infection in most cases quickly spreads from the affected eye to the healthy eye, it is necessary to rinse both eyes. This should be done with different cotton pads.
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In case of allergic conjunctivitis, it is important to quickly identify the allergen and avoid contact with it. The disease itself can be treated with antihistamines (Zyrtec, Claritin, Suprastin, etc.) and eye drops with cortisone.
Regardless of the form of the disease, conjunctivitis should be treated for at least 7-10 days. Otherwise, the disease may recur even after a short-term improvement or become chronic.
Both children and adults will not be harmed by immunostimulating drugs. They will speed up recovery and help you fully recover from your illness.
To alleviate the condition, you can not only put drops prescribed by your doctor into your eyes, but also apply cold compresses to your eyelids (cotton pads soaked in cool water, ice wrapped in a towel). Cold helps relieve itching, reduces swelling of the eyelids and eliminates redness.
- lacrimation; - redness of the eyelids and conjunctiva; - discharge from the eye (mucous or purulent); - swelling of the eyelids; - sensation of a foreign body (sand) in the eyes; - photophobia; - pain and burning in the eyes; - itching in the eyes.
Causes and types of disease
Each type of eye pathology develops due to the influence of different causes. Factors leading to inflammation.
- Penetration of staphylococci, gonococci, streptococci, viruses or chlamydia into the organs of vision. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the eye by rubbing it with dirty hands, swimming in polluted waters, or using expired mascara, pencils, and eye shadow. Pathogens can also enter the organ of vision through the blood - during infectious diseases (measles, ARVI, chicken pox).
- The allergic type occurs as a response of the body to irritants.
- Infection with chlamydia occurs through water when visiting swimming pools, saunas, and sometimes the disease takes on the character of epidemic outbreaks.
Common reasons:
- regular exposure to irritants: dust, smoke, chemicals;
- influence of ultraviolet rays;
- excessive sensitivity to certain medications;
- non-compliance with the rules for using lenses;
- hypothermia;
- myopia;
- astigmatism;
- farsightedness;
- lack of vitamins.
Often inflammation develops against the background of chronic disease of the nasal and lacrimal ducts.
Types of disease
The veterinarian must determine the type of conjunctivitis. The choice of treatment method depends on this. Identifying the causative agent of inflammation prevents exacerbation of the disease and infection of other pets.
Purulent
The causative agents of this disease are pathogenic aerobic bacteria. They get into the eyes along with foreign objects. Another reason is the activation of microorganisms from a latent state due to decreased immunity. As the disease progresses, suppuration with an unpleasant odor forms. Pus flows behind the eyelid area, and when it hardens, it forms a characteristic crust.
Catarrhal
This type of conjunctivitis develops after injury to the eyeball by dust or a foreign object. It is characterized by swelling of the eyelid and redness of the cornea. To wash away the irritant and heal the wound, the dog’s body secretes a lot of tears and viscous fluid. Bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers, and toy terriers have congenital weak patency of the lacrimal canal.
Insufficient flushing of the eyes with tears is also a common cause of catarrhal disease.
Follicular
The follicular type of conjunctivitis often develops in dogs with drooping eyelids (basset hound, dachshund, Neapolitan mastiff). Due to their structural features, the lymph nodes on the inside of the eye are vulnerable to external factors. Without timely treatment, the inflamed follicles increase in size so much that they simply turn outward.
Allergic
Allergies in pets manifest themselves in different ways. Allergic conjunctivitis develops in dogs after an irritant comes into contact with the eyelid or eyeball. The dog’s body is trying to get rid of the allergen, so it produces a lot of tears. However, the inflammatory processes have already started, as can be seen from the swelling and redness of the eyes. Over time, this type of disease can turn into a purulent form.
Chlamydial
The pathogenesis is based on infection with chlamydia. The inflammation affects the dog's entire upper respiratory tract. Therefore, in addition to redness of the eyelids, the animal suffers from swelling of the throat, pharynx, and nose. The disease reaches its peak after 2 weeks, then the symptoms weaken. But with reduced immunity, conjunctivitis becomes chronic and continues to bother the dog several times a year.
Viral
The viral type of the disease usually affects weakened pets. The healthy body of dogs easily neutralizes all viruses that enter the cornea of the eye. In newborns, elderly and weak dogs, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate in the conjunctival sac. There they multiply, reach a critical mass and attack the mucous membrane of the eyelid.
Phlegmonous
Phlegmonous conjunctivitis in dogs is difficult to treat. The infection penetrates deep into the organs of vision and affects the parenchyma. A distinctive feature of the disease is the bright red conjunctiva, which bleeds with the slightest pressure. Part of the eyelid protrudes outward. And under the eyes you can see trickles of purulent exudate.
Fibrinous
This type of conjunctivitis is a complication of infectious diseases, radiation and chemical burns. It is distinguished by the appearance of white fibrous films on the eyelid. In the rosacea form, they can be separated with tweezers. Under the plates there will be bleeding tissue affected by necrotic processes. With the diphtheroid type, it is impossible to tear off the hymen, since it has penetrated deep into the tissue of the conjunctiva.
What is conjunctivitis
The conjunctiva (mucous membrane of the eye) performs important functions. It protects the eye from external influences and moisturizes it. With conjunctivitis, this membrane becomes inflamed. Untimely treatment leads to serious complications: visual impairment, development of dacryocystitis, etc.
The main reasons for the development of the disease:
- allergens (allergic conjunctivitis is the most common form of this disease and is often accompanied by rhinitis);
- viruses (the viral form occurs as a result of individual viruses entering the body: adenovirus and herpes virus);
- bacteria (the development of the bacterial form is often caused by staphylococcus, pneumococcus, etc.).
There are also many additional provoking factors that contribute to the appearance of this unpleasant disease: exposure to chemicals, exposure to UV radiation, smoke, dust, reactions to medications. Also, conjunctivitis can occur against the background of other pathologies (ARVI, influenza), including ophthalmological ones.
Conjunctivitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. In children, the acute form is more common, but another option cannot be ruled out.
The chronic form in pediatric patients begins to develop against the background of vitamin deficiencies or untreated pathologies of the upper respiratory tract (rhinitis, sinusitis). Therefore, you should not self-medicate and at the first symptoms of any respiratory diseases, you should consult a pediatrician for advice.
Is it possible for adults to walk with conjunctivitis?
There is no clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to go outside with conjunctivitis. It all depends on the type of disease, and a number of other factors that we will now consider.
- General condition - if the disease has developed against the background of an acute respiratory viral infection, clinical manifestations of the disease are noted, you should not walk on the street.
- If we are talking about allergic conjunctivitis , then on the street the patient will encounter a new dose of allergens. Then walking will only make the situation worse.
- Time of year and weather conditions. The human eye is sensitive to irritants - wind, sun, dust, cold. And with inflammation, susceptibility increases. In extreme weather conditions, it is better not to go out for a walk. In hot weather, salty sweat can penetrate into the eyes and cause additional irritation and increase discharge. When there is wind, the mucous membrane dries out, and any debris or dust can get into the organ of vision. In extreme cold, the eye becomes hypothermic and the disease worsens.
- It is better to choose a place for walking without the presence of irritating factors: dust, exhaust gases from cars. It is recommended to breathe fresh air in a park, urban forest, or square. Areas full of vegetation will provide protection from excessive sun or wind.
Before the walk, you need to make sure that the body’s condition is normal - there is no fever or intense pain. It is necessary to choose places where the risks of complications are minimal.
In what weather can a child with conjunctivitis go for a walk?
In addition, children's specialists give a number of other tips that will help make the walk more comfortable:
- It is advisable to walk with your baby during the day while he is fast asleep. In addition, the baby's eyes will be closed during sleep, which will protect him from exposure to various irritants. Is it possible to walk with conjunctivitis? The answer is obvious.
- With older children, it is advisable to go for a walk in the late afternoon. You shouldn’t stay outside until late to prevent your sore eyes from straining in the dark.
- The heat is a reason to refrain from being outside. The heat increases the intensity of sweat production, which can get into the eyes. Sweat is known to contain salt, which upon contact with the mucous membrane causes itching and burning. For this reason, the child will reflexively begin to rub his eyes with unwashed hands.
- Walking is also contraindicated in strong winds. In such weather, sand, dust, and other foreign bodies can get into your eyes.
- Parks, alleys, uncrowded streets, and squares are considered ideal places for a walk.
What to do before your walk
If a person has conjunctivitis, before going outside it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- determine weather conditions, whether there is precipitation or strong wind, during which the clinical symptoms of the disease worsen;
- use medications prescribed by a doctor (antibiotics, antivirals, fungicides, antihistamines);
- perform superficial eye hygiene using antiseptic solutions or running clean water;
- if pus is released abundantly in the eyes, you should wash it off with clean water or Furacilin, and drip an antibiotic;
- take sunglasses with you that will protect not only from the bright sun, but also from strong winds;
- Take with you wet wipes that can be used to clean your eyes if pus is discharged.
The patient should remember that when sick, walks should be shorter. It is recommended to avoid public places with large crowds of people to avoid spreading the infection among them. If weather conditions change sharply, your health will worsen and copious amounts of pus will be released. He should return home so as not to worsen his body's condition.
Disease prevention
Breeds that are prone to it especially need the prevention of conjunctivitis.
All dogs with long hair and large eyes suffer from chronic excessive lacrimation, and therefore require careful care and attention from the owner.
Prevention will eliminate the risk of problems and stop the development of infectious or colds. The owner must follow several rules:
- Regular vaccination against dangerous viruses;
- Comfortable living conditions for the pet (no drafts or smoke, high-quality food, winter heating of the kennel, walking in protective clothing);
- No contact with unfamiliar street dogs or sick pets;
- Walking in areas without bushes, thorns, avoiding landfills and waste accumulation;
- Complete cure for any disease.
If conjunctivitis is a chronic problem, then there is no need to contact a veterinarian; the owner must treat the pet according to the intended regimen. But if you have no experience in this matter, then it is better to conduct a diagnosis in a clinic and get recommendations from a specialist.
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Can. To date, there is no evidence that pets can transmit the disease. The spread of COVID-19 is the result of person-to-person transmission of the virus. Thus, there is no justification for taking measures against domestic animals that could jeopardize their well-being [1].
Here are the recommendations you need to follow in order to walk your furry friend in quarantined Spain [2]:
- Only one person per dog is allowed. The entire family is prohibited from leaving the house under the pretext of going for a walk.
- No person or dog needs a mask
- In addition to means for collecting feces, it is necessary to carry a bottle of liquid detergent and treat surfaces on which the dog has urinated. It is also recommended to wipe your pet's paws at the door before entering home.
- Only short walks are provided to allow pets to do what they need to do
- walk only on a leash
- Do not approach anyone outside the home. Always keep a distance of at least one meter
- if the owner tests positive for COVID-19, then he has no right to leave the house and must make arrangements with someone healthy to walk his pet
- Questions and Answers on the 2021 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), The World Organization for Animal Health
- Enfermedad por nuevo coronavirus, COVID-19. Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social España.
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Current news about coronavirus: Invitro opinion.
you can, but keep your distance and don’t walk for a long time
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Anna, you can walk your dog even during quarantine. Be sure to follow all preventive measures. Wear a mask when going outside and dispose of it when you arrive. And also disinfect your pet’s clothes, shoes and paws
Is it possible to defeat coronavirus at the initial stage during the incubation period?
Medical-biological research and production complex "Cytomed". · cytomed.ru
There is no simple answer to this question. During the latent period, the virus does not manifest itself in any way - by the way, for the most part the disease is asymptomatic and the person does not even realize that he has had coronavirus. If the disease nevertheless manifests itself with ARVI-like symptoms, in this case the usual symptomatic remedies are used, since there are no specific drugs for the treatment of coronavirus infection.
At the same time, for general prevention, some well-known means traditionally used to protect against acute respiratory viral infections, which include coronavirus infection, can be used.
Is it possible for children to go outside with conjunctivitis?
Children are more likely to encounter various diseases due to imperfections in the body's protective functions. Clinical signs of any disease are felt more intensely than in adults, the same applies to conjunctivitis. Before you go out with your child, you should consider the following factors.
- Older children become infected through contact with pathogenic agents on the mucous membrane of the eye. Most often they come from unwashed hands, when using common household items. Spending time together leads to the fact that a sick child infects another. This should be taken into account before taking him outside.
- If damage to the conjunctiva has developed due to a respiratory viral or bacterial infection, walking on the street is not recommended. These forms of the disease are the most contagious; it is especially dangerous to walk during the acute phase of the pathology. If you have an allergic inflammation, you can go out and get some air. It all depends on how you feel, the presence of a concomitant illness in the form of a cold, ARVI.
- When a child is diagnosed with conjunctivitis, is it possible to walk outside in winter? No, you shouldn't do this. Going out for a walk with a patient in the cold is dangerous due to hypothermia of the eyes, aggravating the course of the pathology. In the hot season, the mucous membranes of the visual organs are exposed to the sun, and the child can rub them with dirty hands. Infectious agents multiply faster when exposed to high temperatures. In the off-season, as well as in winter and summer, in normal weather and satisfactory health, you can walk for no longer than 1 hour.
When the illness does not cause discomfort to the baby, you should not protect him from being in the fresh air. If the disease is accompanied only by redness of the eyes, you can walk. If there is a bacterial or viral form, contact with other children should not be allowed. When the eye disease is of an allergic nature, it is worth walking with the child in a place that is safest in terms of the presence of allergens.
Read in a separate article: What is conjunctivitis: types, signs and how to treat it
Walking is not a hindrance to treatment
In cases where the disease does not cause significant discomfort, there is no need to restrict the child from being in the fresh air. You can determine whether you can walk with conjunctivitis based on your symptoms. If the disease manifests itself only in moderate redness of the eyes, feel free to go outside. But still try to avoid contact with other children (with bacterial and viral forms). If your baby has conjunctivitis of allergic etiology, while walking, avoid places with abundant growth of allergenic plants and accumulation of pollen in the air.
How to deal with allergic conjunctivitis
As for conjunctivitis of the allergic form, here first of all you need to eliminate the irritant. If you do not know about the true factors that cause such a reaction in the body, take note of a few simple recommendations. For conjunctivitis, they will come in handy:
- Constantly monitor your child’s diet: it should only be hypoallergenic.
- It is extremely important that there is no dust in the room. Every day, wet clean the room, remove carpets, soft toys, feather pillows and other “dust collectors” away.
- Say no to chemistry! At least during the period of your baby’s illness, limit the use of aggressive detergents, dyes, fragrances, etc. in the house.
- Try to give your pets (if you have any) to relatives or friends for a while, because pet hair can cause allergies.
Prognosis and prevention
The prognosis for cure depends on the type of disease. It is favorable for timely treatment of catarrhal, purulent, allergic conjunctivitis. Caution – in case of chronic forms of the disease, when rescuing puppies, in case of aggressive viral pathogens. Purulent and fibrous can be complicated by the appearance of scars and curvature of the eyelids. Unfavorable - with rotting of the cornea, with carnivorous plague, advanced stages of the fibrous type.
Preventive measures include strict adherence to the vaccination schedule.
Limit your pet's contact with sick dogs, walks during periods of dusty winds, and flowering plants (if you have allergies). Make sure your dog's bedding is clean and dry and remove household chemicals from the floor. Give it to relatives during renovation work in the apartment.
Popular drugs for conjunctivitis in children and adults
With proper and timely therapy, inflammation of the conjunctiva is eliminated in 5-10 days, the chronic form - in 4-5 weeks. The treatment regimen depends on the specific type of disease.
Treatment of various types of diseases in adults.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis in acute form is eliminated with drops (Albucid 30% and levomecitin 0.25%) and ointment (tetracycline 1%). Before dripping the medicine, you need to rinse the visual organs with an antiseptic solution. Chamomile decoction and tea leaves are suitable.
- The viral type is treated with Interferon in the form of drops, antiviral ointments - Florenal, Bonafton, Tebrofen, Oxolin. Use the products 3-4 times a day.
- Conjunctivitis of allergic etiology is eliminated with the help of oral antihistamines - Cetrin, Zyrtec, Claritin. Drops from a range of membrane stabilizing agents
- With conjunctivitis of a bacterial nature , pus is released from the eyes, the eyelids stick together, and it is difficult to lift them. To soften the hardened exudate, you should rinse them with warm chamomile infusion.
Therapeutic scheme for combating eye disease in children.
- In case of a viral or bacterial form , Albucid is dripped into the eyes, regardless of the child’s age. Every 2 hours, wash them with chamomile or furatsilin solution. Apply tetracycline and erythromycin ointment to the visual organs.
- In case of an allergic type of disease, they resort to anti-allergic drugs - Zodak, Zyrtec.
Diagnostics
In case of conjunctivitis, the patient should consult an ophthalmologist and undergo the following diagnostics:
- doctor studying the patient’s complaints and making differentiation
- cytological examination of scraping
- antibody titer determination
- examination of a smear from the conjunctiva
- demodex test
- biomicroscopy of the eye
- Allergy tests taken from the skin, nose, conjunctiva, under the tongue
If a specific etiology is revealed, the doctor will definitely suggest, depending on the pathology, to consult a venereologist, otolaryngologist, infectious disease specialist, allergist, or phthisiatrician.
Viral type of disease, therapy and drugs
Before treating conjunctivitis in a child, the doctor must be sure of the etiology of the disease. Therapy for the viral form of pathology is fundamentally different from that described above. In this case, the mandatory use of local antiviral drugs and interferon-based immunomodulators is required. The following eye drops and ointments with active antiviral components have the least contraindications for children:
A child with viral conjunctivitis cannot attend kindergarten or school for the same reason as with bacterial conjunctivitis - because of the likelihood of infecting other children.
Therapy methods
Experts believe that in the initial stages of the disease, the body must cope with the problem on its own, since tears contain a large number of antibacterial elements.
So if your eyes are watery, it means your body needs it. For more complex forms, the following treatment is used:
- Acute, bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with a two-week course of antibiotics in the form of ointments or drops
- For the chronic form of the disease, drops and ointments that are applied locally are also recommended. If the disease is advanced, drugs containing bacitracin are prescribed, which are used for a long time
Treatment for viral conjunctivitis is as follows:
- regular eye rinsing
- the use of antiviral drops, these can be: Albucid, Oftalmoferon
- Tetracycline ointment is placed under the lower eyelid at night
- taking immunostimulating drugs
Read: Allergic cough and its symptoms
It is also recommended to carefully observe all the rules of personal hygiene:
- Face towels are changed daily
- Before any touching of the eye area, you must wash your hands thoroughly
- minimize all contacts with loved ones and strangers
Therapy for allergic conjunctivitis begins with the exclusion of a possible allergen. If the process does not improve, antihistamines in the form of drops are prescribed. You can also use Visine and Ketotifen drops in combination.
All medicinal methods are prescribed by a doctor.
Basic information about the disease
In ophthalmological practice, childhood conjunctivitis occurs quite often and in most cases is transmitted through dirty hands. If detected early and treated correctly, it does not pose a threat to the child’s health and does not affect visual acuity. But after the first symptoms appear, you should not delay visiting a specialist, since in children the disease develops rapidly.
There are three main types of inflammatory process:
- Viral - in most cases it appears during infection with respiratory diseases, influenza, and other diseases caused by viruses. The pathology is accompanied by general malaise, possibly fever, cough, and rhinitis. The main symptom is tearing, redness, and the release of mucous fluid.
- Bacterial - provoked by bacteria that enter the child’s body from dirty hands, as well as household items (for example, through towels). A distinctive feature of this variety is the appearance of purulent masses, due to which the eyelids stick together. May only affect one eye.
- Allergic - occurs after a child comes into contact with irritants, which can be plant pollen, house dust, animal hair, food and much more. In this case, the eyelids become very swollen, red, and profuse lacrimation appears. The allergic variety affects both eyes at once.
On average, the disease lasts from 5 to 10 days, during which the baby needs to regularly wash his eyes with antiseptic solutions, instill medicinal drops and apply ointments. An integrated approach will allow you to get rid of the problem in the shortest possible time.
Conjunctivitis and lenses
Lenses for conjunctivitis
With conjunctivitis, the lenses do not interfere at all for some time, but after a certain period the patient begins to experience itching, watery eyes and redness of the eyes. As soon as these symptoms appear, you should get rid of the lenses, as they become carriers of infection and bring very unpleasant sensations.
There are cases when lenses become the main cause of illness due to failure to comply with basic hygiene rules. Also, do not overwear your lenses. After recovery occurs, the lenses should be replaced with new ones.
Conjunctivitis can be treated quickly and easily if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations and take good care of yourself or your child. The disease is contagious and is transmitted by airborne droplets and through personal contact with a patient. The prognosis is quite positive and in most cases treatment ends in complete recovery.
When can you go for a walk?
After 2-3 days the severity of the disease noticeably , discharge on the eyelashes after sleep still remains, but the eyelids no longer itch so much.
Naturally, the child’s mood is restored and he begins to be drawn to the street.
If vision is not impaired and the disease is not contagious, then walking will only benefit both adults and children.
A child is allowed to go for walks only when he has a mild form of conjunctivitis , but under strict conditions of caution and the exclusion of any contact with other children.
In any case, the patient’s condition must be assessed by an appropriate specialist, and loving parents should always remember the weather, time and place suitable for walking.
It is worth noting! Spring pollen is a fairly strong allergen, and with a weakened immune system, there is a serious risk of developing allergies and worsening the condition.
But in many cases this is not a reason to stay at home, the only exception being connections with other children, since they are more susceptible to negative factors than others.
How to suspect a disease
Inflammation in children develops rapidly, causing a lot of unpleasant sensations, which is why the baby’s well-being deteriorates sharply. The main symptoms are:
- Severe redness of the entire eye, resulting from an increase in the size of the vessels. With the viral and allergic form, redness is observed in both eyes, and with the bacterial form, in one.
- Sensation of a foreign body, grains of sand in the eye, which is why children constantly scratch their eyes, trying to remove the interfering object. Due to constant rubbing, the mucous membrane becomes even more inflamed, increasing the risk of secondary infection.
- Profuse lacrimation, in which the secreted liquid is light and odorless. If pus is noticed, this indicates a bacterial infection!
- Swelling of the eyelids, which makes it difficult for the child to open the eyes, and in severe cases they may be closed until the condition improves.
- A burning sensation in the eyelids, which may be accompanied by a cutting pain when moving the eyes.
- Photophobia - the baby closes his eyes when in bright light, prefers to be in a dark place.
- An increase in the size of the papillae of the upper eyelid or follicles located on the lower eyelid.
The baby becomes restless, capricious, lethargic, and may refuse food and favorite activities. If any symptoms appear, you should seek help from a pediatric ophthalmologist as soon as possible!
Is it possible to walk with conjunctivitis?
Doctors recommend refraining from frequent walks, especially if conjunctivitis has developed in children.
There is no categorical prohibition, but the frequency and duration of exposure to fresh air varies depending on the etiology of the disease, the symptoms that appear and weather conditions.
Ophthalmologists emphasize the need to take increased precautions so as not to intensify the inflammatory process and slow down the regeneration of the conjunctiva.
Causes and symptoms
Parents need to pay increased attention to their own hygiene after contact with an infected child. Infection can occur due to a fleeting touch.
Ophthalmologists believe that the main reason for the development of the inflammatory process in the membrane of the eye is the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms due to the touch of dirty hands.
Therefore, children who are not explained the rules of hygiene and precautions when walking and playing with peers are most often susceptible to the disease. The main causative agents of conjunctivitis include staphylococcus and streptococcus, as well as entero-, herpes- and adenoviruses.
The inflammatory disease can also be of an allergic nature, in which case the child must be quickly isolated from the source of infection.
Conjunctivitis is accompanied by the following characteristic symptoms:
- discharge of purulent masses;
- swelling of skin defects of the eyelids;
- itching and burning;
- pain syndrome;
- a feeling that a foreign object has entered the eyeball;
- fluid imbalance in the eye;
- redness of capillaries;
- headache.
Is it allowed to leave the house?
Doctors advise minimizing the child’s contact with peers until complete recovery.
If a child has conjunctivitis, then doctors do not recommend walking on the street, and also advise minimizing his contacts with peers and the environment.
Despite the benefits of fresh air and the need to saturate tissues with oxygen, the influence of external factors can worsen the disease. The optimal solution is to regularly ventilate the room when the child is in another room.
It is especially not recommended to go outside if you have viral conjunctivitis, as there is a high risk of the infection spreading quickly, which will lead to infection of other people. In case of allergic etiology of eye diseases, the source of the acute reaction of the body must be accurately determined.
Since pollen and certain plants are most often allergens, going outside during the flowering period is contraindicated.
The newborn is recommended to stay at home or on the hospital premises for 5-7 days, during which the disease usually resolves completely, if the mother has not yet been discharged.
You can walk with your child in the fresh air for no longer than 10-15 minutes, especially with a baby.
Being outdoors can cause particles of dust and dirt to enter the mucous membranes of the eye, which will intensify the inflammatory process.
Increased humidity, wind and other physical factors will negatively affect the condition of the visual organ. Doctors especially do not recommend walking outside in bad weather conditions, which are often observed in the fall.
Categorical contraindications
In bright sunlight, the child may experience increased pain.
You can walk outside only after first assessing the condition of the child or infant.
In case of acute inflammation, elevated temperature and redness of the eye, walking is prohibited. Also, if you have concomitant diseases that weaken your immune defense, you should stay home.
The parent needs to evaluate the following environmental factors presented in the table:
External circumstances | Dangerous consequences |
Bright sunshine | Increased pain |
Wind | Irritation of the mucous membranes of the eye |
Increased inflammation | |
Introduction of a foreign object | |
Rain | |
Spread of infection | |
Low temperatures | Increased tear production |
Flowering period of plants | Increased allergic reaction |
The appearance of redness of the skin |