Many mothers ask the question: “We have a newborn baby, his eyes are festering. What should we do?" There can be no discussion here! A festering eye in a newborn is a reason to seek medical help.
A healthy baby is born almost sterile. In the first seconds of his life, his body is faced with a huge stream of bacteria, viruses, allergens, and simply various substances. The baby’s immunity actively “recognizes” the world around it, fights, “learns” and “remembers”. But for the same reason, in the first months, children are very sensitive to infections.
If parents noticed a festering eye in a newborn, then, most likely, the baby has inflammation of the lining of the eyeball - conjunctivitis. This is one of the main reasons why you should contact an ophthalmologist. Every parent must understand this.
Why are the eyes festering in newborns
The shell of the eyeball - the conjunctiva - is constantly washed by a bactericidal tear. In newborns, blockage of the lacrimal glands by the remains of embryonic tissue is often found (doctors call this condition "dacryocystitis"). Due to the lack of tears, it dries up and becomes vulnerable to microbes, the child develops conjunctivitis. In principle, this disease for its reason can be either purely bacterial or viral, or allergic or autoimmune. But it is the purulent eye of a newborn that is a clear sign of a bacterial infection.
Moms should periodically wash the eyes of their babies, using both natural (chamomile infusion, broth of strongly brewed tea) and artificial (antibacterial drops, Furacilin drug) substances. A festering eye in a newborn is easier to prevent than to treat. Of course, in conditions of relative health, it is better to use the natural remedies mentioned above. But if conjunctivitis has developed, then the use of drugs becomes mandatory (of course, after consultation with an ophthalmologist).
How to rinse a festering eye in a newborn
1. Take a clean gauze swab (from a pharmacy or yourself), apply a solution of Furacilin or chamomile infusion to it.
2. In one gentle movement, draw from the outer edge of the eye to the inside to the nose, removing pus.
3. Throw the swab. If the washing must be repeated, then we use a new clean, which is re-wetted in the solution.
After washing, you can instill the antibacterial drops prescribed by your doctor.
If after the procedure you notice that the eye continues to water, then the lacrimal canal is probably blocked. The only thing that you can then do at home is to perform a massage.
1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. By movements up and down we massage the corners of the eyes near the bridge of the nose (here are the lacrimal sacs). It is necessary to make 6-10 movements with a certain effort.
3. An indicator of the effectiveness of the massage are purulent discharge from the lacrimal glands. You can remove them using the washing described above.
Remember that all these procedures must be performed only after consultation and examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist. It is possible that the child will need to rinse the lacrimal canals. This process is quite serious, because it is carried out only by a specialist. Without this procedure, carried out in a hospital, inflammation will appear again and again.