I have a baby girl who will be a month on the 14th. She woke up this morning with a thick crust running down her cheek from her eye, which isn't red itself. But it was seeping so I wiped it with a clean warm washcloth about two hours ago and massaged the tear duct a bit. But now her eye has a thick line of pus running all the way across(she's sleeping). It's so thick you can't even see her eyelashes. Should I take her to the emergency room tonight or wait for her doctor's office to open monday?
2007-01-12 15:32:43 · 21 answers · asked by heartlostangel 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Don't worry yet.
If the white of her eye is red, then she probably has pink eye. You will need to take her to the doctor, but it is not an emergency, just wait until Monday.
If her eyes are just oozing and crusty, but the whites of her eyes are still white, don't worry, she just has a clogged tear duct. It is VERY common for newborns.
When she is eating (she won't fight it as much while she is eating so that's a good time to do this), massage the corner of her eye (closest to her nose) with a clean wet washcloth. Do it every time she eats for the next 4 or 5 feedings and it will clear right up.
2007-01-12 15:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by mrsleslie_lady 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had the exact same problem my baby was 14 days old and it was a Friday night. I took him to the ER and waited 5 hours and was not seen I then went up to the nursery and a nurse came down and helped me. She said that eye infections are very common. She suggested I squirt breast milk in his eye as gross as it sounds... several people said that. If you can do it they said it's the best thing. I had trouble because I didn't have a ton of milk and it was not squirting out. So I just rubbed it with a clean cloth and the next morning took him to kids Doc (try and call your normal ped.. the machine may have a number of a facility that's open on Saturdays and Sundays) and they game me a gel to put in.
I know how you are feeling. His eye was swollen and pus-sy and you can't see the eyelash and it's the saddest thing ever. I would just keep washing it with a warm CLEAN cloth until tomorrow. If you can find a doc open sat I'd do that. Otherwise try the breast milk and it can wait until Monday. The nurse assured me that it's a very common thing and it would not effect the vision.
If she has a fever of I think 104 or more (seems high, but babies deal with high tempertures better than adults do) then take her right away, you can also massage the tear duct as you said you are doing. Do this when she eats because they are relaxed and it's easy.. it should help!
Good luck!!
2007-01-12 16:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by k_powell76 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like conjunctivitis to me,the best thing for that is squirting breastmilk on the eye and gently wiping the eye. Or if you cant do that just continue using the warm washcloth. But as no-one here can see it, and if you are that worried I'd take her to the ER. Better safe than sorry.
Also if you have any neighbours that have kids you might ask them to have a look at your babies eye as they should be able to tell you if its conjunctivitis or something to worry about.
Good Luck and remember if your worried than just go to the ER.
2007-01-12 19:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My s-i-l had the exact same problem with her 3 week-old, and I went to the Dr. with her. They said to keep a warm washcloth on it to clear the pus, then they can prescribe you an antibiotic ointment.
It's very common in little babies because their tear ducts aren't fully functioning yet. It's not worth a trip to the ER unless she also has a fever or appears to be in great pain.
2007-01-12 16:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you want to judge your human being discomfort and be sure if it warrants a visit to the ER. by using your description, your damage does no longer sound that undesirable (in the large photo). in case you are able to tolerate the discomfort and do not sense like some thing is broken, i'd advise waiting till Monday, and keeping off the better ER copay. If the discomfort will grow to be insufferable or some thing looks VERY incorrect, bypass the ER.
2016-10-30 23:29:08 · answer #5 · answered by bonanno 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you are concerned, take her to the ER. Rather be safe than sorry! I've never heard of any pus or any fluids that thick around an infants eye. For the sake of your infants health, take her to the ER.
2007-01-12 17:07:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one can wait until Monday unless it worries you too much. I would just take a warm (clean) wash cloth and wipe her eye's from the inner cornner out, gently every time you see more goo.
This is not a life threatening situation and as long as she's not feverish, you should be just fine.
Good luck and ((((hugs)))) to your little princess
2007-01-12 15:42:07 · answer #7 · answered by bluegrass 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd take her to the emergency room just to be safe. she could have an eye infection, especially if the crust is thick enough to cover her eyelashes.
2007-01-12 15:49:24 · answer #8 · answered by tweetybird37406 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the ER. My daughter had the same thing when she was 2 weeks old, and needed a prescription ointment to treat it.
If you're in the US, Monday is MLK day and your doctor is probably closed. I just wouldn't want to wait that long to start treating it.
2007-01-12 15:41:59 · answer #9 · answered by Judi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a possible infection. I would treat it as soon as possible, or she may go blind in that eye?
You could try antibiotic eye drops if you have some, neosporin cream works also. If you don't have either or am not sure what to do, take her in. A urgent care would be less cost, but don't wait 2 days.
2007-01-12 15:43:19 · answer #10 · answered by B Jones 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋