Healthy tips
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Reddened, sticky and itchy eyes: children are more likely to contract conjunctivitis. Why seeing a doctor is important and what brings relief at home.
The conjunctiva – small and inconspicuous, but equipped with important protective functions – is a transparent mucous membrane inside the eye that repels pathogens and other irritants.
However, since infants and toddlers must first develop this natural immune defence, their eyes are particularly sensitive to external influences. This is the reason why conjunctivitis is more common in children.
In most cases, conjunctivitis is harmless. Nevertheless, the cause should be clarified by a doctor who can decide whether drug treatment is necessary.
In most cases, conjunctivitis is harmless. Nevertheless, the cause should be clarified by a doctor who can decide whether drug treatment is necessary.
«Stop rubbing your eyes». Although this is often what parents tell their children with conjunctivitis, it can't be avoided completely. Nevertheless, it's important that they touch their eyes as little as possible in order to avoid extra pain and to speed up the healing process. It also prevents the pathogens from spreading to others through what is known as smear infection.
This is not an easy task with toddlers, as they fight back and squeeze their eyes shut. It works best when the child lies down. Pull down the lower eyelid slightly and apply the drops to the inner corner of the eye. The liquid then distributes itself. The bottle should not touch the eye.
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