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Conjunctivitis
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What is conjunctivitis? |
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Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva consists of the membrane that lines the inside of the eye and also a thin membrane that covers the actual eye. There are many causes of pink eye, including the following: |
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- allergies
- bacteria
- viruses
- herpes
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In this section, only allergic conjunctivitis will be addressed.
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What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis? |
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The following are the most common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: |
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- itchy eyes
- watery discharge
- swelling of the eyelids
- redness of the eyes
- stringy discharge from the eyes
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The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
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How is allergic conjunctivitis diagnosed? |
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Cultures of eye drainage are usually not done for allergic conjunctivitis. A diagnosis of conjunctivitis is usually made based on a complete medical history and physical examination.
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Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis: |
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There is no cure for allergic conjunctivitis. Avoidance of the irritant is the best management. Cold compresses to your child's eyes may also help with the itching and swelling.
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Specific treatment for allergic conjunctivitis will be determined by your child's physician based on: |
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- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the reaction
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the reaction
- your opinion or preference
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Your child's physician may prescribe the following medications to help with the symptoms: |
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- antihistamines - these help to decrease histamine release which may help to decrease the itchy, watery eyes. Some examples are diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) or hydroxyzine (Atarax®). These medications may make your child drowsy.
- nonsedating antihistamines - work similar to antihistamines but without the side effect of making your child drowsy. These might include cetirizine (Zyrtec®) or loratadine (Claritin®).
- eye drops (to help relieve the itching and redness)
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