When this membrane becomes infected with a bacterium or virus, inflammation can occur.
Pink eye in newborns may lead to serious complications and requires medical treatment right away.
You may notice that your childs eyelids appear red and puffy.
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The eyelids may also feel tender to your little one as well.
The tear ducts are small tubes that drain tears from the eyes.
When the tear ducts become blocked, they cannot drain from the eyes.
A blocked tear duct is relatively common in newborns and usually resolves on its own by their first birthday.
This could be a sign of a serious infection that needs to be treated right away.
The infection spreads when you come in contact with discharge from your childs infected eye.
This could happen while caring for your baby or when touching an object that has been contaminated.
Do your best to avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes.
Treatment
Treatment for pink eye in babies depends on the underlying cause.
Many cases resolve on their own without medical treatment, but bacterial infections require antibiotics.
Pink eye spreads when your hands become contaminated with the infection.
When you touch your eyes or face, the infection can spread to your eye.
If your child has pink eye, be mindful of not touching your face after caring for them.
A healthcare provider should evaluate newborns with signs of pink eye immediately.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotic therapy.
Gonorrheal pink eye has serious complications that could significantly affect your babys health.
Call your healthcare provider if youre unsure what is causing your babys eye redness.
However, pink eye in a newborn could be a sign of a serious infection.
See your healthcare provider if your baby develops symptoms of pink eye.
It is important to consult your healthcare provider immediately if your newborn has signs of pink eye.
Your healthcare provider may recommend antibiotic eye drops to treat your babys infection.
These eye drops require a prescription.
Do not use over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops to treat your babys eyes.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.
Nemours Kids Health.Tear-duct blockage (for parents).
American Academy of Pediatrics.Pinkeye (conjunctivitis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: causes and how it spreads.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Why are my eyes itchy?
Answers from an expert.
National Eye Institute.Pink eye in newborns.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.
