Varicella Zoster virus can affect not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes, including the eyes. Chickenpox in the eyes is called chickenpox conjunctivitis. This disease can spread by airborne droplets or in close contact with a sick person. Chickenpox is common in preschool children and is an infectious disease. If we are talking about rashes on the skin, then, as a rule, there are no problems with treatment, if wounds appear on the mucous membrane of the eye, then such manifestations of the disease require serious treatment.
Causes of pathology
About 80% of the world's population manages to get chickenpox in childhood, just when it is most easily tolerated. In addition to the contact and airborne droplets, there are cases when the disease penetrates the child’s body through the placenta, from mother to child. But nevertheless, damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes occurs very rarely.
Characteristics
As a rule, chickenpox in the eyes appears only in one eye, and the process of the appearance of vesicles is accompanied by characteristic signs:
- slight redness of the surface of the eye is observed;
- a little later, tears begin to stand out profusely;
- then itching begins, pain may even appear;
- swelling of the eyelid begins and a transparent rash appears.
After some time, photophobia is observed on the affected eye. The clinical picture may be represented by other symptoms.
A rash with chickenpox in the eyes may not appear on the mucous membrane of the eye itself, but around, on the eyelid. Such rashes usually pass very quickly, leaving no trace.
The main thing is not to confuse chickenpox conjunctivitis with other eye pathologies. In particular, with chickenpox, rashes appear not only in the eyes, they are observed throughout the body. Often the onset of the disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature due to intoxication of the body. Rashes are usually not on the feet and palms.
Chickenpox in the eye of a child is often accompanied by rashes on other mucous membranes, in particular in the mouth and genitals. There may be a lack of appetite and a general breakdown.
Features
Infectious vesicles in the eyes with chickenpox appear undulating. In such situations, it is very dangerous to attach other infections that can lead to clouding of the cornea.
Bubbles on the mucous membrane of the eyes usually do not have pus inside and are completely transparent. However, chickenpox in such a place can still lead to a decrease in visual acuity. A neglected form of the disease can cause ulcers and erosion. In such situations, the patient is tormented by severe pain in the eyes and a burning sensation.
Diagnostics
As a rule, there are no problems with the diagnosis of chickenpox. Diagnosis can be made on the basis of an examination. In some cases, it may be necessary to collect biological material that is given for serological or virological examination. These tests are required to make a diagnosis at 100%.
Therapeutic measures
Naturally, parents are immediately scared if they see chickenpox in their child’s eyes. What to do in this situation and how to treat the baby?
Treatment of chickenpox is symptomatic, that is, it is entirely aimed at reducing the intensity of symptoms. Antipyretic drugs are used to lower body temperature, it can be "Ibuprofen" or "Paracetamol". Itching on the skin is well relieved by Suprastin and Tavegil.
Local treatment
The main emphasis in chickenpox on the mucous membrane of the eye is on the treatment of rashes. The drug "Acyclovir" has proven itself well. In particular, it copes well with herpes viruses. Available in the form of tablets and ointments. "Acyclovir" can be used to treat not only the eyes, but also for papules that have appeared on the body.
Also, the doctor may prescribe Infagel or Zovirax ointment.
Ophthalmoferon drops can be used for treatment. They have a complex composition and immunomodulatory effect.
To prevent inflammation of the conjunctiva, "Albucid" and "Ciprofloxacin" can be prescribed - these are antibacterial agents.
When a large area of the eye is affected by papules, antiviral tablets are prescribed in parallel with local therapy.
Chickenpox in the eye of a child - what else to treat? Often prescribed the drug "Actipol". This tool accelerates the process of regeneration of epithelial cells of the eye.
To date, there are many ointments and drops that have proven their effectiveness in the fight against the virus for more than one year. For treatment, tebrofen ointment, Florenal and Bonafton are suitable, but still a doctor should prescribe a course of treatment.
Rules for eye treatment
If chickenpox is in the eye of a child, how to treat it? After the appointment of drugs, some rules should be followed during the procedure:
- Before the procedure, it is best to rinse the baby’s eyes with Furacilin solution. For washing, 200 ml of water is used, in which 1 tablet of the drug is diluted. It is recommended to boil water. After dilution, a cotton swab is moistened in the solution and the mucous membrane, eyelids and the area around the eyes are gently wiped.
- After treatment with Furacilin, the eyes must be wet with a dry and clean cloth to remove all moisture.
- The drops or ointments that the doctor prescribed are applied exclusively to the lower eyelid.
Antibacterial agents can be included in the course of treatment only if gray or yellow viscous secretions appear.
Possible complications
The worst complication of chickenpox in the eyes is the attachment of bacteria, in which vesicles form. In this condition, the patient feels severe itching. In the future, the cornea of the eye may become cloudy, with subsequent loss of visual acuity.
If the virus enters the cornea of the eye, then the likelihood of blindness is high. The danger of this complication is that it is possible to detect whether the virus has penetrated the cornea only after it really gets there.
But there is good news. Most of the complications associated with chickenpox are attributable to reversible changes and completely disappear after a couple of weeks after recovery.
Is it possible to prevent the appearance of papules in the eyes and what else can help the baby?
If we are talking about a small child, then parents must strictly observe all the rules of hygiene. Chickenpox lesions should be constantly treated, including the mucous membrane of the eye.
Most often, papules appear on the eyes when a child combs the wounds on the body and immediately scratches his eyes with dirty hands. Even if they seem to be clean in appearance, the virus may be under the nails.
How to treat chickenpox on the eye? You can use tincture of birch leaves. For its preparation, you need 2 tablespoons of raw materials, which are filled with 200-250 ml of boiling water. The mixture should be infused for 1.5 hours. After that, you can moisten a cotton swab in tincture and apply to the eye for several minutes. Birch leaves relieve itching in the eyes well.
To prevent the virus from getting into the eyes when the baby is already sick, you can use the Sterillium Gel antiseptic and wipe the baby’s handles regularly.
Along with the use of antiseptics, one should not forget that the body should help in the fight against the virus. The kid should drink a lot and eat less. It is necessary to take it regularly to fresh air and engage in any distracting activity so that it does not comb the rashes.
To maintain immunity, it is recommended to make herbal tinctures. It can be a composition of lemon balm, calendula and chamomile. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and one tablespoon is poured with one glass of boiling water, insisted for about 15 minutes and given to the child to drink.
You can make tea from the fruits of blackcurrant and blueberries, they have a huge amount of vitamin C, which allows you to quickly cope with the disease. You can make a mixture of lemon and honey, which are also mixed in equal parts and diluted with boiling water. Such a remedy can be given three times a day.
For trays, you can use barley. For cooking, you need 1 cup of barley, which is brewed in 5 liters of water. Then it is filtered and added to the bath. Barley has calming properties, relieves the sensation of itching.
Calendula flowers, which have antibacterial properties, are also suitable for swimming. In one liter of boiling water, 60 grams of flowers are bred and added to the bath. Remember that during chickenpox baths should not be long, no more than 15 minutes. However, there may be several throughout the day.