...

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Pediatric Care Plan

By K Health
Medically reviewed checkmarkMedically reviewed
December 27, 2020

What is Acute Conjunctivitis?

More commonly known as ‘pink eye,’ conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that covers the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelid. This inflammation can be caused by irritants, allergies, viruses, bacteria or, in rare cases, autoimmune diseases. 

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

  • Redness of the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids
  • Eye pain
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Increased tearing
  • Itchiness
  • A ‘gritty’ feeling inside the eye, like there’s a piece of sand stuck there
  • Green or yellow discharge

Pink Eye Treatment

When conjunctivitis is caused by an infection, it can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral conjunctivitis cannot be treated with an antibiotic whereas bacterial infections can. 

Signs that make a bacterial conjunctivitis more likely include:

  • Green or yellow discharge that continues throughout the day
  • Affected eye crusted shut in the morning
  • Pain in the affected eye
  • No other viral symptoms like runny nose or cough

When a bacterial infection is suspected, a topical antibiotic made for the eye is used. This can come as either a drop or an ointment and is applied 3 times per day for 5 days. Even if only one eye is red, you should apply the medication to both eyes.

To prevent spread, make sure your child washes their hands regularly. 

Contact lens wearers should stop wearing lenses while being treated.

When Can my Child Return to School?

  • Technically your child can return to school even without treatment. Even bacterial conjunctivitis with usually get better on its own and should be thought of like the common cold. Kids go to school with a cold and pinkeye is no different.
  • Some schools still require that your child to be on antibiotics for 24 hours before they return to school

See a Doctor in Person If…

  • Worsening eye pain especially if your child is a contact lens wearer
  • Change or worsening vision
  • Pain with eye movement
  • Eye swelling
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health

Reliable, relatable medical information written by hundreds of board-certified clinicians, updated regularly to ensure accuracy.

Related articles

Checklist for Healthy Kids 2022

As a teaching attending in pediatrics, I learn a lot from my medical students and residents. One such pearl was an acronym that a resident inserted into a patient presentation that I have since adopted and utilize in my own practice. GEEDDSS. It’s memorable perhaps because it’s non-sensical and stands for the key components of […]

Read more

Expert tips on returning to school amidst the Delta variant

Millions of kids are returning to the classroom for in-person learning. However, there are still growing concerns about the COVID-19 delta variant from parents and teachers. The delta variant is 200% more transmissible and 1000% higher in viral load. This means more kids could potentially contract the virus, will test positive quicker after exposure, and […]

Read more

COVID And The Recurrence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Recent data reveals 23 million children globally missed out on routine vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and polio. Exacerbated by the diversion of resources to combat COVID-19, there is a real concern that these diseases may re-emerge as herd immunity thresholds are breached.

Read more

Precordial Catch Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Precordial catch syndrome (PCS) causes sudden, sharp chest pain, usually in the upper left-hand side of the chest. The pains are not accompanied by any other symptoms and usually affect children, teenagers, and young adults who are otherwise quite healthy. Fortunately, though it can be scary, PCS is not serious and will resolve on its […]

Read more

Nursemaid’s Elbow: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments & When to See a Doctor

Nursemaid’s elbow—also referred to as pulled elbow, slipped elbow, and toddler elbow—is a common injury of early childhood. In fact, it represents more than 20% of upper-extremity injuries in young children.  As a child grows, their bones and muscles develop and become much stronger. But for young children, even slight jerks or pulls to the […]

Read more

Acne in Toddlers: When to Call a Doctor

Many people associate acne with adolescence. And the truth is, most teenagers and young adults experience at least one breakout at some point in their lives. But teens aren’t the only ones who develop acne. Up to 50 million Americans deal with the skin condition every year—and that includes some infants and young children. If […]

Read more

When to Call a Doctor for Your Child’s Fever

All children get fevers from time to time. Although this can be concerning for a parent, in most cases, kids feel better within a few days. Still, fevers should be monitored closely because they can be a symptom of an underlying illness or infection. It is important to remember that in almost all cases, a […]

Read more

Everything You Need to Know About the Flu in Kids

Chances are you have heard of the flu or even had it yourself. But when your child or a child in your care has the flu, it is important to understand how the virus can affect them differently. Luckily, you have come to the right place.  The flu results in 9-45 million illnesses in adults […]

Read more