Many parents are faced with such a phenomenon in children as redness of the eyelid. Often this condition is accompanied by the development of additional symptoms, which may indicate dangerous pathologies occurring in the body. A red eyelid in a child can be caused by various reasons, among which the most common are allergies, foreign objects and inflammatory diseases.
Causes of red eyelids in children
Often the cause of redness in a child's eye is a speck or eyelash caught in the eye. By eliminating the source, you can quickly get rid of discomfort and forget about the problem. If the redness of the eyes persists and itching and flaking appear over time, then the reasons for this pathological condition may turn out to be more serious.
Hemangioma
One of the reasons for discoloration of the skin in the eyelid area is considered to be hemangioma, which is most often detected in infants.
Such benign tumor formed as a result of plexus superficial vessels circulatory system, which are surrounded by fat cells. Hemangioma can rapidly increase in size in the first months of a baby’s life, expanding both in breadth and depth.
Despite the fact that the neoplasm is considered benign, it greatly spoils appearance and disrupts the normal functioning of the organ of vision. Hemangioma can be of various shapes and differs in its shape and size. A cavernous type neoplasm affects the deepest layers of the epidermis, even affecting internal organs.
Until today, it has not been possible to establish the exact reasons that cause the appearance of hemangioma on the eyelids. Experts identify only the conditions the creation of which contributes to the development of such a pathology. Any changes in the formation and development of blood vessels, especially at the very beginning of pregnancy, can cause tumors in a child.
The following factors can provoke the formation of hemangioma:
- changes in hormone levels in the female body;
- complications during pregnancy;
- premature labor;
- viral diseases mothers during the formation of the fetus’s circulatory system;
- taking potent medications by a pregnant woman;
- Rhesus conflict.
Initially, a slight swelling is noted at the site of hemangioma formation. Over time, the eyelids become swollen and red, differing from the skin on the face.
Allergic reactions and inflammation
A common cause of eyelid inflammation and severe itching is an allergic reaction. It can be provoked by various irritants that a person encounters in Everyday life. Most often this occurs upon contact with plant pollen, animal hair, cosmetics and household chemicals.
If the cause of redness and itching of the eyelid is an allergy, then characteristic symptoms may appear. The patient begins to experience coughing, runny nose, sneezing and rashes of various types. In such a situation, you should not self-medicate, but you should seek advice from a specialist as soon as possible.
Some inflammatory diseases can cause eyelid irritation:
- Barley. When examining the patient's eyelid, you may notice a small lump rising above the skin. The main cause of the development of pathology is bacteria that penetrate the child’s body. The inflammatory process clogs the meibomian gland, which causes the appearance of a subcutaneous ball.
- Chalazion. The main reason for the development of this pathology is obstruction of the meibomian glands. Initially, the disease resembles a stye, but gradually cystic formations form under the skin.
- Blepharitis. With this pathology, the ciliary part of the eyelid is affected and symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain in the eyes appear.
- Ocular herpes. Painful ulcerative formations form on the eyelid, the process of eyelash growth is disrupted, vision decreases and clouding of the corneal layer is noted. Ocular herpes is considered a rather dangerous disease in childhood and can result in complete blindness.
The appearance of pain, itching and redness of the eyelid may indicate a disease such as scaly blepharitis.
Injuries
Sometimes the cause of swelling and redness of the eyelid can be injuries of various types. The following factors can provoke unpleasant symptoms:
- insect bites;
- penetration of a foreign object under the skin in the eyelid area;
- staying in direct sunlight for a long time;
- mechanical damage to the epidermis;
- contact of dirty water with the mucous membrane of the eye;
- mechanical damage to the skin.
When the organ of vision is injured, the skin and mucous membranes become severely inflamed and bruising around the eyelid is possible.
Associated symptoms
Depending on the degree of damage to the eyelid and the cause of its occurrence, external manifestations may vary for a child. Often the redness of the eye is accompanied by severe swelling of the tissues, which causes complete closure of the palpebral fissure. Along with redness and swelling of the eyelid, the following symptoms may occur:
- pain in the eyelid area, which noticeably intensifies with pressure;
- sensation of pain, itching and tingling in the eyes;
- subcutaneous compaction in the area of the affected eye and nearby tissues;
- an increase in the size of the lymph nodes on the face, neck and near the ears;
- rise in body temperature.
In case of severe eye injury, it is strictly forbidden to rub the affected area, touch it with dirty hands and wash it. In such a situation, it is necessary to take the child to a specialist as soon as possible.
Diagnostic features
When a child’s eyelid is red, it is important to determine the cause that triggered the appearance of such a symptom. To make an accurate diagnosis, the following diagnostic methods can be used:
- examination by an ophthalmologist;
- cytological and bacteriological examination conjunctival smear;
- Ultrasound and x-ray of the affected area;
- blood analysis;
- laboratory examination of purulent discharge.
Based on the results obtained, the patient is diagnosed and the necessary treatment is prescribed.
How to treat
A specialist can determine how to treat a red and swollen eyelid after he has established the cause of this condition.
Medicines
You can cope with redness of the eyelids with the help of eye drops, ointments and gels that you can apply yourself at home.
If the inflammatory process in the eyes is allergic, the following antihistamines can be prescribed:
- Visine;
- Azelastine;
- Allergodil;
- Ketotifen.
If the cause of redness and swelling of the eyelid is an infectious disease, then the use of antibacterial eye drops is indicated. Among their variety, the most effective are:
- Tobrex;
- Tsifran;
- Ciloxane;
- Gentamicin;
- Levomycetin.
If indicated, they may be prescribed combination drugs containing antibiotic and antiseptic. The patient’s condition can be alleviated with the help of Garazon, Tobradex and Dex-Gentamicin.
Folk remedies
You can cope with redness of the eyelids using decoctions of calendula and chamomile, which can be easily prepared at home. Soak cotton pads in the prepared product and apply them to the eyelids for 15–20 minutes.
If the redness of the eyelids is a consequence of a sleepless night or severe fatigue, then you can cope with the problem with the help of ice cubes. They can be prepared using decoctions medicinal herbs and apply to reddened eyes.
For redness of the eyelids combined with severe itching, you can use a mixture of parsley. It is necessary to thoroughly chop the greens and grind until juice is formed. The prepared mass must be applied to the inflamed eyelids for 15–20 minutes.
What not to do
If redness of the lower eyelid is one of the symptoms of a severe inflammatory process in the eyes, then it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate. This can further worsen the eye condition and cause the development of dangerous complications.
If any foreign object gets into the organ of vision during an injury, you should not rub your eyes or try to get it out yourself. This can lead to the fragment penetrating into the deeper layers of the eye, which will significantly complicate treatment in the future.
If redness of the eyelids is accompanied by the discharge of purulent exudate from the eyes, this may be a sign bacterial infection. Treatment of such pathologies should only be carried out by a specialist. It is strictly forbidden to heat the affected area.
Prevention of eyelid diseases
It is possible to avoid redness and inflammation of the eyelids by following certain preventive measures. Recommended:
- use only high-quality cosmetics containing natural ingredients;
- observe hygiene rules for eye care;
- in the autumn-winter period, take as many vitamins as possible;
- use only individual towels and bed linen;
- If signs of eye disease appear, seek medical help in a timely manner;
- When visiting the pool, be sure to use swimming goggles.
Red eyelids in a child are considered a symptom that may indicate dangerous diseases. If this condition is accompanied by the appearance of additional symptoms, it is necessary to show the patient to a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate, especially if the cause of the child’s eyelid redness is injury.
Edema and swelling of the eyelids in a child can be caused by many diseases. These could be clogged sinuses, infectious diseases, allergic reactions, or eye diseases. One eye or both may swell.
What should you do if your child’s eye is swollen or the upper or lower eyelid is red?
Main causes of swelling and redness
Swelling and redness of the baby's eyelids can lead to various factors. Some of them may pose a serious health hazard.
A very common cause of red, puffy eyes in a child is it's an allergy.
A reaction in children can be triggered by food, dust, household chemicals, plants, and pollen.
Often allergies are accompanied by itching of the mucous membranes, runny nose, stuffy nose, and lacrimation.
It is important to notice these manifestations in time and take adequate measures in a timely manner.
In severe cases, swelling in the throat may occur.
Eyes may also become swollen due to the following factors:
- various infectious lesions;
- injuries, mechanical damage;
- high intracranial pressure;
- serious fluid retention in tissues;
- kidney disorders;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- frequent, prolonged crying;
- sleep disturbances, insomnia, including during teething.
With kidney and heart diseases, the baby will experience not only swelling, but... Lacrimation, pain, and irritation are usually absent.
If a red swelling appears in a child in one eye (as in the photo below), on the lower or upper eyelid, then cause - infection or mechanical damage, which provokes inflammation in the tissues of the eyelid.
The reasons why a child’s lower or lower abdomen is swollen upper eyelid, also blushed:
-
. The disease is infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a consequence direct impact pathogenic microorganisms.
The sclera turns red and appears copious discharge pus, tears. In children it usually occurs in the acute phase. Pus accumulates, envelops the eyelids, making it difficult to open the eyes.
-
. This is an acute inflammation of the eyelash bulb. First, a slight swelling of the eyelid is noticed, then the skin turns red, becomes painful, and after 2-3 days severe swelling occurs.
A purulent core matures in the bulb, causing increased pain.
- Phlegmon. It may affect the upper or lower eyelid completely (it will become red and swollen). When palpated, the affected area will be very dense, and an elevated temperature is possible. The child experiences severe pain and the eye sclera may turn red. If left untreated, cellulitis can quickly spread to the other eye.
- . After a bite and contact with insect venom on the tissues of the eyelid and mucous membrane, noticeable redness, swelling, and lacrimation occur. If you have an allergy, you may additionally experience itching and pain.
- Mechanical damage. It may be the result of sand, dust particles, powder or other particles getting on or under the eyelid. Severe lacrimation, pain, and irritation occur.
The symptoms described usually subside when it is possible to reduce the swelling of the affected area. With barley, relief comes when the pus comes to the surface.
Often swollen (eyelids) accompany additional symptoms. If you take them into account, you can quickly determine the diagnosis and quickly get rid of the problem.
With severe itching and constant scratching of the eye, the cause may be related to insect bites or allergies.
It is important that the baby does not touch the affected area, since active rubbing and scratching may worsen the symptoms and cause injury.
Red swelling under a child's eye, burning, itching are a consequence of irritation of nerve endings and fragile mucous membrane due to a large number of allergens. The body perceives these substances as foreign, and with irritation and lacrimation it will try to remove them.
Redness is observed in almost all of the listed conditions, with the exception of disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and heart.
Redness is also a tissue reaction to a foreign body that injures the eyelid and can cause pain and discomfort.
What to do if a child’s eyelid is red and swollen? Many parents ignore these symptoms like swelling and redness of the eyelids, but in vain. It is important to go to a pediatrician or ophthalmologist, who will conduct all the necessary studies, make an accurate diagnosis, determine further necessary actions, and recommend preventive measures to prevent such phenomena in the future.
Treatment measures will depend on the cause of the problem. It is important not to engage in amateur activities, but to follow all the recommendations of a specialist.
How you can help your baby at home
The actions parents can take will depend on the cause of the problem.
If you have an allergic reaction, you will need desensitizing medications to internal use and antihistamines - for external use.
When an insect bites, the swelling disappears on its own after a few days. But if you notice a negative reaction from the body, immediately go to the doctor, as the consequence can be a serious allergy.
Depending on the cause of the disease, the doctor may prescribe medications. For barley - antibacterial ointments, gels and eye drops.
For conjunctivitis, eye drops are often indicated., application, washing the eyes with a weak decoction of chamomile or calendula.
If a child has a red, swollen eyelid, oral medications are prescribed. But all this is solved individually, determined by the cause that provoked the problem.
What not to do
If a child’s eyes (or eyelids) are swollen and red, this problem cannot be ignored or left to chance.
Its cause and consequences may be more serious than you think. It is necessary to consult a specialist to prevent possible troubles.
If a child has a stye (redness under the eye and swelling), under no circumstances should you squeeze it out yourself.
This can provoke inflammation and cause a number of other complications, including meningitis. There is no need to warm up the barley either..
You should not ignore symptoms such as swollen and reddened eyes in a child, as well as other additional signs.
If something worries you, it is better to consult a pediatrician and prevent complications.
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Swelling, redness and swelling of the eyelids in children occurs at different ages. Children are most susceptible to the disease preschool age. Swelling of the eyelids and redness of the mucous membrane is associated with the development of the inflammatory process. The occurrence of unpleasant symptoms is provoked by conjunctivitis, caused by infection or foreign particles entering the mucous membrane of the eye.
What symptoms to look out for when your eyelids are swollen
Eye diseases in which the upper eyelid swells in a child are divided according to accompanying symptoms. Experts name a number of signs that require parental attention:
- profuse lacrimation;
- edema;
- formation of seals on the eyelids;
- suppuration;
- point foci of inflammation;
- temperature.
If a child’s upper eyelid is swollen, there is redness of the mucous membrane and other symptoms, this indicates that inflammation has begun. The patient requires consultation with a specialist and prescription of medication.
Causes of symptoms
There are a number of reasons that cause swelling and redness of the eyelids in children of different ages. The most common are infectious diseases and mechanical damage.
Infectious diseases are one of the main and common causes of swelling of the eyelids in a child.
Experts identify several of the most likely causes of the disease.
- Conjunctivitis. The disease is caused by infection or mechanical damage, resulting in the development inflammatory process. Occurs at any age. Affects only the upper or lower eyelid. Children often develop reactive conjunctivitis. It is characterized by a rapid course, the formation of purulent contents that envelop the eyelid.
- Barley. The disease is associated with inflammation of the ciliary bulb. Characterized by slight swelling. A red spot appears at the site of the tumor, in which a purulent core gradually forms.
- Cellulitis is an inflammatory process affecting the eyelids. Accompanied elevated temperature, soreness of the inflamed area, redness of the sclera of the eyes.
- Insects. A mosquito or other insect bite on the eyebrow or eyelid leads to redness and swelling of the tissue. Most often the bite hits the corner of the eyebrow. Swelling from the tissues of the eyelid gradually spreads to the entire eye. A red lump forms at the site of the bite. The eye begins to itch, the mucous membrane turns red, and watery eyes appear.
- Mechanical damage. A strong blow to the eye area, dust and dirt entering the mucous membranes lead to profuse lacrimation and redness. In some cases, the eye may become swollen and inflamed.
- Allergic reaction. The allergy manifests itself in the form of redness of the eyes and itching. There is also swelling of the nasal mucosa, runny nose, and rash all over the body.
- Difficult birth. Newborns may experience swelling of the eyelids and eyes as a result of prolonged labor, accompanied by a long anhydrous period and hypoxia.
Swollen eyelids in a child may be the result of an acute allergic reaction.
In addition to the main reasons, diseases can provoke redness and swelling of the eyes internal organs. These include:
- infectious diseases;
- high intracranial pressure;
- swelling of internal organs;
- heart disease;
- period of teething;
- prolonged crying.
Depending on the root cause, more or less pronounced symptoms of the disease are observed. A one-month-old baby reacts to inflammatory processes more acutely. His discomfort is expressed in the form of crying, refusal to eat, and short sleep.
What is contraindicated for redness of the eyelids?
If you notice puffiness, swelling or redness in the eyelids, take your child to the doctor immediately.
If signs of an inflammatory process occur, it is prohibited:
- conduct thermal procedures(warm your eyes);
- squeeze out purulent formation;
- apply cosmetic products;
- wear contact lenses;
- self-medicate.
Violation of these prohibitions leads to infection of the organs of vision and the development of complications. If the eyelid above a child’s eye is swollen, treatment is carried out only by a specialist.
Diagnostic features
If your child's upper eyelid is swollen and red, you should visit your local pediatrician. He will produce initial examination. Consultation with an ophthalmologist is also recommended.
In case of a serious course of the disease, cytology of discharge, bacteriological, virological or immunological studies are prescribed. If you suspect an allergy, it is recommended to consult an allergist and test for allergens. During the period of treatment, the child must exclude the presence of worms and dysbacteriosis.
Intestinal dysbiosis can also cause swelling of the eyelids in a child.
IN infancy swelling of the eyelids causes obstruction of the tear duct. The disease is diagnosed contrast radiography tear ducts. When pathology is confirmed, children are recommended surgical intervention.
Treatment is prescribed depending on clinical manifestation disease and the cause that caused it.
Effective treatments
The therapeutic regimen for eye treatment in a child directly depends on the cause of the disease.
- If clogged or mechanical injury it is necessary to clean the eye. For treatment, drops are used that restore the mucous membrane: Balarpan, Vitasik, Hyphen. The morning after eye injury, all symptoms of the disease disappear.
- In case of an allergic reaction or seasonal hay fever, children are prescribed antihistamines. Fenistil, Zodak, Suprastin are effective.
- In case of infection, antibacterial medications are used. Erythromycin or Tetracycline ointment, Sulfacyl sodium drops, Tobrex, Floxal have shown high effectiveness.
- At adenovirus infection, which provoked inflammation of the eyes, the main task is to restore nasal breathing and antiviral therapy. Patients are recommended to stay at home. Aquamaris, saline solution and other saline compositions are used to rinse the nasal passage. Effective drops: Isofra, Polydexa, Dioxidin, Protargol. Antimicrobial therapy for the eyes is carried out with Sulfacyl sodium eye drops.
- If the cause of the tumor is a mosquito, then antihistamine and anti-inflammatory therapy is used.
To relieve swelling and redness, it is recommended to use products traditional medicine. These are lotions and wipes. For conjunctivitis or barley, it is recommended to wipe the eyes with a solution of furatsilin and chamomile. They relieve inflammation and have disinfectant properties.
Prevention of eyelid diseases
Redness and swelling of the eyelids is a sign of inflammatory eye disease. The problem can be avoided by taking preventive measures. Infancy or one-year-old children deserve special attention. During this period, prevention of eye diseases is carried out daily. It includes a number of rules.
- Child hygiene. Washing is carried out daily clean water. For infants, warm boiled water is used. The child’s hands are washed with soap after each walk. Newborns are the most demanding about personal hygiene.
- Personal hygiene. Before carrying out procedures with a child, you must wash your hands with soap or an antibacterial agent.
- Minimal eye contact. The child should not touch his eyes with his hands, especially while walking.
- Walks. Children need Fresh air. It is recommended to walk for several hours every day. Dr. Komarovsky advises taking children for a walk in any weather.
- Visiting public places. During colds It is recommended to avoid public places with children.
- Well-being control. For behavior and mood small child needs to be monitored closely. A sharp change in mood indicates the onset of the disease.
- Competent treatment. Colds and viral diseases in children require competent and complete treatment under the supervision of a pediatrician.
- Contact with animals. Pet hair can trigger an allergic response in the mucous membranes of the eyes. If there is no confidence in the health of pets, it is recommended that young children limit contact with animals.
Compliance with hygiene rules is the key to a child’s eye health.
Compliance with the rules of prevention can significantly reduce the risk of developing inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the eyes and eyelids.
Sep 26, 2017Anastasia Tabalina
The child's eyelids are red 
If a child's eyelids are red, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of this phenomenon. Often, various eye diseases provoke redness of the skin of a newborn. Red eyelids may be a result of subcutaneous hemorrhage during childbirth. They can also be a consequence of hemangioma of the child's eyelids. The disease goes away on its own after some time. If the spot increases in size, surgical intervention is necessary. If the redness is accompanied by pain, swelling, or impaired eyelid movement, it is possible that the child suffers from dermatitis (an inflammatory skin disease). The cause of the illness may be food allergy, medications or insect bites.
Common diseases that can cause redness of the eyelids in a child:
- Blepharitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the edges of the eyelids in children. The disease manifests itself as redness of the eyelids, loss of eyelashes, and severe itching. Inflammation of the sebaceous glands, demodex mites, hypovitaminosis, carious teeth and other general diseases can cause blepharitis. Children who suffer from the disease must be examined for worms.
Conjunctivitis. One of the common causes of red eyelids in children. The disease is a consequence of the inflammatory process in the mucous membrane that covers the back surface of the eyelid and the front of the eye. Redness of the eyelids is accompanied by discharge of pus and mucus, dryness, and pain in the eyes. The main cause of conjunctivitis is infection. Usually the disease goes away within 7 days, but there are complex forms of the disease (for example, diphtheria conjunctivitis). In this case, immediate hospitalization of the child is necessary due to the great danger of the disease for the patient’s life.
Barley. Purulent inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelash or sebaceous gland. The cause of the disease may be staphylococcus. Multiple styes in a child are a signal of serious diseases (low immunity, diabetes, infections). The disease begins with swelling and redness of the child's lower eyelid. Over time, the redness turns into suppuration. The disease can become complicated and develop into abscesses, purulent meningitis and sepsis.
To reduce the risk of eye diseases, it is necessary to regularly show your child to an ophthalmologist. The first examination must be carried out before 6 months from the date of birth of the child.
Articles from this section:
First of all, it is highly not recommended to independently treat a reddened eyelid. It is necessary to urgently contact a specialist to make a correct diagnosis.
It will be difficult for mothers to make a diagnosis, but it is easy to make a mistake. In addition, diseases that manifest themselves as redness of the eyelid may have a different nature and their incorrect treatment may cause unpleasant consequences.
What could it be?
- Pay attention to the nature of the redness.
- The entire eyelid is red, some part of it, or just the corners.
- Is there any swelling?
- What is the child's temperature?
- Is there any discharge from the eyes or pus?
- What does the eye itself look like?
Some of the most harmless causes of eyelid redness are mosquito bite or injury. Most often in such circumstances special treatment not required. Everything will go away on its own. But you can ignore it only if you are sure that the child hit his eye or was bitten by a mosquito.
Other reasons could be:
Barley
Barley is purulent inflammation ciliary hair follicle. The causes of stye can be different, but in 90% of cases it is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms of stye are:
- Swelling.
- Temperature increase.
- Enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.
- There may be pus.
- Pain on palpation.
- Redness of the conjunctiva.
When treating stye, it is important to remember a few simple rules: Under no circumstances should pus be squeezed out. because this can lead to serious consequences, for example, if pus gets into the maxillary sinus; Contrary to popular belief, you cannot make a compress and moisturize the stye.
On early stage barley is lubricated with brilliant green or a 70% solution ethyl alcohol. Later, you can use 1% Erythromycin or penicillin, as well as 0.1% dexamethasone, 3-4 times a day.
Main article on the treatment of stye
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a purulent inflammation of the conjunctiva. Caused by both infectious and allergic causes. Infectious include: bacteria and opportunistic bacteria, such as streptococci and staphylococci and others, chlamydia, viruses, pathogenic fungi. In addition, there may be allergic causes conjunctivitis or others such as mechanical damage, dust.
Some signs of conjunctivitis can determine its origin. For example, purulent discharge usually talk about bacterial conjunctivitis. Redness of the eye in the absence of pus, due to an allergy or virus. Conjunctivitis accompanied by pharyngitis indicates an adenovirus.
It is characterized in children by the following symptoms:
- Photophobia.
- Edema.
- The appearance of yellowish crusts.
- Eye redness and watery eyes.
- Purulent discharge.
- Deterioration of sleep and appetite.
Conjunctivitis
In any case, you should consult a doctor and not attempt self-treatment, because depending on the various reasons – Conjunctivitis is treated in different ways. The doctor will determine the causes and prescribe treatment. This may include rinsing with furatsilin, using local antibiotics, or prescribing an antihistamine.
As in the case of stye, you should not use a bandage or compresses; in order not to create conditions for the growth of bacteria, you can put drops in your eyes or rinse them. Children can use this for rinsing disinfectant like 10 percentage solution Albucid.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a group of diseases in which the edges of the eyelids become inflamed. The causes are chronic diseases, allergies, viral infection, lack of vitamins, anemia, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, teeth, nasopharynx, general decline immunity.
Symptoms: swelling of the eyelids, redness, scales on the eyelids, photophobia, discharge accumulating in the corner. Treatment uses drops such as Erythromycin, Gentamicin, and Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin can also be prescribed.
Blepharitis
Abscess
A limited process of inflammation is called an abscess, and with phlegmon it becomes widespread. Develops against the background of other inflammatory diseases, wounds, skin damage and sinus diseases. The symptoms are: severe swelling of the eyelid, pain, it becomes dense. Due to the narrowing of the gap, the eye cannot be opened. For treatment, topical antibiotics or UV therapy are used. If the abscess does not open on its own, a small incision is made to remove the pus.
Erysipelas
Erysipelas of the eyelids is a disease infectious origin, the causative agents of which are streptococci. Develops as a result of minor injuries or other damage to the skin and mucous membranes. The temperature rises, eyelids appear red, spider veins. Treated with antibiotics.
Furuncle
Acute inflammation affecting the hair follicle. Accompanied by dense to the touch, painful swelling, which can spread to half of the face. An abscess forms in the middle. The boil is opened during surgery in the clinic and washed out. Self-treatment contraindicated. Be sure to consult a doctor.
In addition to these diseases, redness of the eyelid may indicate an allergy. Remember what in Lately The baby ate, perhaps some new foods. Remember to introduce new things gradually. Hygiene plays an important role in eye diseases. Almost all of these diseases are treated under the supervision of a doctor. He may prescribe antibiotics or disinfectants, drying drugs, depending on the cause of the disease.
Children are the most precious thing in the life of every parent. Any trouble can throw you out of your usual rut. Especially if it is related to the baby’s health.
Have you noticed that your baby is feeling uncomfortable? Does your child have a swollen upper eyelid? This is a serious reason to sound the alarm and consult a doctor.
A child’s upper eyelid is swollen: what to do and what to pay attention to?
If you notice slight swelling upper eyelid the baby, the first thing you need to do is carefully examine it. pay attention to central part affected area. If there is a small dot there, it is probably the result of an insect bite. In this case, most likely, you can do without a visit to a specialist.
Was anything suspicious found? It may be an allergic reaction to the material or food. Analyze what your baby has eaten lately, what he has played with, whether there is any powder left on his everyday clothes after washing, etc.
Most often, a swollen upper eyelid in a child indicates the presence of some kind of infection - acute respiratory infections or conjunctivitis. It also happens that nasal mucus enters the eyes through the naso-orbital canal, causing inflammation, which ultimately leads to swelling.
Try to watch the baby. This is the only way to accurately identify all kinds of risks and irritants.
Possible reasons
If a child's upper eyelid is swollen, only a qualified ophthalmologist can determine the exact cause. The source of the problem can be anything. For example:
- a bite of an insect;
- conjunctivitis;
- inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct;
- allergic reaction;
- ptosis;
- prolonged crying or sleeping;
- cardiac decompensation;
- postpartum outflow.
During diagnosis, it should be understood that a swollen upper eyelid in a child may be the result of a serious illness. Do not neglect consultation with a specialist. Only a timely visit to an ophthalmologist can prevent further development pathologies, as well as help the baby get rid of annoying pain and discomfort.
What is forbidden to do if a child’s upper eyelid is swollen?
Swollen upper eyelid in a child - enough serious symptom. Many parents make a number of serious mistakes, among which the most popular are:
- heating of the lesion;
- squeezing out the abscess (if there is one);
- use of antihistamines;
- use of traditional medicine methods.
All of the above is strictly forbidden to do without prior consultation with a specialist. Any action without making an accurate diagnosis can lead to dire consequences, including loss of vision and serious disruptions in the functioning of the body as a whole.
Don't put off visiting a doctor
Unfortunately, most parents neglect to visit an ophthalmologist. And completely in vain. Remember that the health of a little man who needs timely help is in your hands.
Why is a visit to the doctor necessary?
- The specialist will be able to conduct all the necessary studies and make an accurate diagnosis.
- Will determine further actions - assign suitable drugs to overcome the disease.
- Recommend preventive methods that will prevent relapses.
As already mentioned, swelling of a child's upper eyelid is a serious symptom that may indicate serious illnesses. If you value the health of your own baby, make an appointment as soon as you notice the first signs of illness. Don't put it off until tomorrow.
How to treat?
Treatment of edema of the upper eyelid must begin with eliminating its main cause. So, if swelling is caused by an allergic reaction, you need to pay attention to desensitizing drugs for oral use, as well as antihistamines for external use.
When bitten by insects, swelling of the eyelid usually goes away after a few days. However, if you notice a negative reaction child's body, make an appointment with a doctor immediately. This may have caused a serious allergy.
If you do not yet know the reason for the swollen upper eyelid in a child, it is useless to prescribe treatment. Only after examination and an accurate diagnosis is a specialist able to select the appropriate therapy.
Depending on the complexity of the problem, he may recommend taking antibacterial ointments, gels, or eye drops. If a baby is diagnosed with stye, under no circumstances should you squeeze it out yourself. This can not only cause an inflammatory process, but also lead to quite serious consequences, including the formation of meningitis.
In case of conjunctivitis, the doctor may recommend applying tetracycline ointment, eye drops, and rinsing with a weak decoction of calendula or chamomile.
Prevention methods
The main principle of preventing eye diseases in children is good hygiene. Children are real fidgets. It is extremely difficult to keep track of the cleanliness of their hands. But it is with them that they rub their eyes; it is through them that the infection can be transmitted from one baby to another.
Teach your child to wash their hands from early childhood and not touch their eyes unless clearly necessary. When walking, try to always keep wet wipes with you.
All inflammatory processes occur to a greater extent in children with weakened immune systems. Pay special attention to strengthening your immune system. If necessary, you can always consult with an immunologist who will recommend the best option for your baby.
Try to provide your child with a nutritious diet, which will contain all the products necessary for normal growth and development. It is extremely important that the baby receives full vitamin complex. You can also train him to harden.
If there is redness in the eyelid in a child, you should not delay a visit to a medical facility. This condition is sometimes provoked by the physiological characteristics of the body, but often an unpleasant symptom also indicates the development of diseases that, without proper treatment, can cause a number of serious complications.
Causes of the condition and additional symptoms
Hemangioma
Redness of the eyelid immediately after birth is often caused by a benign neoplasm, which, in fact, is a mole. In this case, you can notice not only redness, but also an increase in the size of the eyelids. The area of redness hurts on palpation. Mostly, after a certain time, the skin acquires a healthy shade, and the hemangioma disappears on its own. However, situations where education is growing cannot be ruled out.
Allergic reactions and inflammatory pathologies
If your baby's eyelids are red, it may be due to an allergy. Often, young patients develop undesirable reactions to pollen, breast milk, and dust. At the same time, babies do not experience pain or discomfort when moving their visual organs. However, if redness is accompanied by pain, then we can talk about inflammatory diseases.
Blepharitis and redness
One of the additional symptoms of the disease may be fast fatiguability organs of vision. Represents chronic inflammation edges of the eyelids. The disease can be provoked by a lack of vitamins in the body, helminthic infection, subcutaneous mite, poor hygiene visual organs. In addition to the fact that the eyes turn red, other signs develop:
- fatigue of the visual organs;
- itching and burning;
- blurred vision.
Conjunctivitis
This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the eye mucosa. If there is concomitant injury or infection, the inflammatory process can also affect the cornea. With the development of conjunctivitis in children, moodiness is observed, increased secretion tears, photophobia. Young patients constantly rub their eyes with their hands. As the disease progresses, swelling of the eyelids occurs, and pus may be discharged. Sometimes accompanying symptoms manifest themselves in the form of cough.
Dacryocystitis
It is an inflammatory process in the lacrimal sac. A variety of developmental pathologies can provoke the disease. In addition to the fact that the baby's upper and lower eyelids turn red, they also become swollen. Often a mucous or mucopurulent secretion is released, and crusts form in the corners of the visual organs.
With pathology, children's tears flow not only while crying, but also in a calm state.
Diagnostics
Infant If you have a similar symptom, you should show it to your pediatrician.
If your baby develops red spots on the eyelids, you should visit your pediatrician. The doctor will first conduct a survey of parents, during which he will find out how long after birth the unwanted symptoms developed. Then the little patient is sent to an ophthalmologist, who performs a biomicroscopy and prescribes a laboratory diagnostics. Cytology of discharge from the visual organs is mainly required. Confirm preliminary diagnosis Bacteriological and immunological research will help.
If there is a suspicion of allergic diseases, diagnostic measures They cannot do without an allergy test, blood tests for the number of eosinophils and immunoglobulin. In such a situation, it will also be necessary to exclude the presence of worms and dysbacteriosis in the child. If an obstruction of the lacrimal duct is suspected, radiography using a contrast agent is sometimes prescribed.
How to treat?
Medicines
Therapy for red eyelids is based on eliminating the cause that provoked this condition. If the eyelid turns red due to a bacterial pathology, treatment necessarily involves the use of antibiotics that are active against specific pathogens. Mostly medications are prescribed in the form of ointments and eye drops. When red eyelids in a newborn are caused by allergic diseases, they will need to be treated with antihistamine pharmaceuticals. Sometimes drug treatment not required if the allergen was identified in time and contact with it was excluded. If the red spot is caused by inflammatory diseases, young patients are prescribed antiviral drugs and immunomodulators.
Basically, the problem is solved by instillation of prescribed drops.
Redness of the eyelids is mainly treated thanks to eye drops or ointments. In this regard, before use, it is necessary to prepare the visual organs of children. Doctors recommend wiping your eyes with antiseptic solutions. For the same purposes, chamomile infusion or tea leaves can be used. Items used to treat redness inside and outside the eyelids must be sterilized. The pipette should be boiled before starting eye drops and after each use.
A small child brings joy and happiness to the home. But hardly anyone will argue with the fact that along with a baby, constant worry about his health also enters the home. Well, what mother can remain indifferent when she notices the red eyelids of a newborn? And if the baby has also become restless, cries often, constantly rubs his eyes, there is no need to worry and rush to see a pediatrician. And this will be the right decision, because such a symptom can be both a physiological feature of newborns and a manifestation of quite dangerous diseases.
ICD-10 code
H01.0 Blepharitis
Causes of red eyelids in a newborn
Seeing red eyelids on a newborn, some mothers in a panic immediately rush to look for reasons on the Internet, from their parents, girlfriends, neighbors, without thinking that the same symptom can be a manifestation of various diseases and conditions. Sometimes it is very difficult to determine by eye the true cause of redness of the eyelids, even in an adult, not like in a child. But children, with their delicate skin and immature immune system, are very different from us adults.
If you look closely, you will notice that the skin of a newborn is very thin, so in some particularly vulnerable places blood vessels can be seen through it. Red vessels on the eyelids of a newborn are not a pathology. The skin of the eyelids is especially delicate and thin, which means blood-filled capillaries can be easily seen through such a delicate barrier.
It’s another matter if the vessels are visible not only on the eyelids, but also on the whites of the eyes. This may indicate pathologies of the vascular system of the eyes, which are usually inflammatory in nature. This symptom can be observed with iritis, uevitis, iridocyclitis and other vascular pathologies that penetrate the organs of vision.
If a bright red or burgundy-pink tint to the eyelids was noted immediately after the birth of the baby, then the reason for everything may be benign neoplasm, which is classified as a mole and is called a gangioma. In such cases, not only redness is noted, but also enlargement of the eyelids with a grainy pattern. Most often, after a while, the skin in the eyelid area turns pale and evens out. In some cases, the gangioma disappears on its own. If growth of the tumor is observed, doctors resort to surgical and radiation treatment.
If after birth, limited areas with blood streaks or red spots are visible on the baby's eyelids, possible reason This symptom is considered to be subcutaneous hemorrhage that could occur at the time of childbirth.
If we are not talking about red streaks on the baby’s eyelids, but about local redness skin, the cause may be the usual rubbing of the eyelids with fists, which small children often do when they want to sleep. This redness disappears quickly, leaving no trace, and is not dangerous to health.
If the red spots on the eyelids of a newborn are in no hurry to go away, and the child behaves restlessly and constantly reaches out with his fingers to his eyes, the likely cause of redness and swelling of the eyelids may be bites of blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, bed fleas, ticks). The newborn’s immune system is still very weak, so there is a high probability of developing an allergic reaction to an insect bite or an analgesic that some of them inject when piercing the skin.
Redness and swelling of the eyelids, as well as lacrimation, may be accompanied by allergic reactions to dust, pollen, food products(in infants such a reaction is sometimes observed in relation to milk formulas and breast milk, if the nursing mother has consumed food that is an allergen), medications. Painful sensations and there is no difficulty in eye movement.
If these two symptoms also occur, inflammatory eye diseases can be suspected, and the affected area may be different. If the eyelid becomes inflamed and red along the very edge, we can most likely talk about blepharitis.
Stye on the eye, known to everyone by its strange name, is considered one of the varieties of blepharitis. It occurs due to inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelash. At the same time, the redness of the eyelid is not diffuse, but has limited localization. When the inflammatory process spreads to the entire eyelid, we are no longer talking about barley, but about an abscess of the eyelid.
Redness of the eyelids in a newborn can also be caused by such a dangerous pathology as conjunctivitis. In this case, inflammation, accompanied by redness and swelling of the tissues of the eyelid, does not cover hair follicle or the sebaceous gland, but the entire mucous membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelid and the eyeball.
As a result of eye injury or exposure to an infectious factor, an inflammatory process can develop on the cornea eyeball. Sometimes it spreads to the mucous membrane and causes redness of the child’s eyelid, swelling and others. unpleasant symptoms. We are talking about a pathology called keratitis, which is rarely diagnosed in children, but it also cannot be excluded.
Pathogenesis
Red eyelids in a newborn are not a disease, but a characteristic symptom of various inflammatory eye diseases, which may have their own causes and course characteristics. The pathogenesis of most diseases is based on exposure to irritating factors on the mucous membranes of the eye. Such factors, in turn, may be of an allergic or infectious (bacterial, less often viral) nature.
Blepharitis is predominantly infection, the most common pathogen of which is Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium can be found on the skin or mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract in both children and adults. It is with this that frequent cases of the development of blepharitis are associated with chronic infectious pathologies of the respiratory system.
However, due to imperfection immune system The causative agent of blepharitis in newborns can also be a completely harmless microorganism, a native inhabitant of the human skin – Staphylococcus epidermidis. For the same reason, hypovitaminosis, allergic reactions and irritation of the eye mucosa with caustic substances.
Eye pathology such as conjunctivitis can also be of an infectious or allergic nature. Moreover, it can successfully develop against the background of existing inflammatory eye diseases, as their complication. Bacteria and viruses can equally act as infectious factors.
Conjunctivitis is a very insidious disease that can have various shapes. Therefore, it is very important to establish as quickly as possible the cause that caused the inflammatory process, before it goes deeper. Red eyelids in a newborn 2 or 3 days after birth may be an indicator of a special form of conjunctivitis - gonorrheal.
Another name for the pathology is gonoblennorrhea. Its causative agent is gonococcal infection. Risk factor for development of this disease in newborns is the presence of this causative agent of sexually transmitted diseases in the mother’s body. Fruit passing birth canal, can catch this infection, which will subsequently cause severe inflammatory eye disease, in which the eyelids become very red and swollen.
With keratitis, risk factors for the development of the inflammatory process are injuries to the stratum corneum of the eye or damage to the eyes by bacteria and viruses.
All of the above pathologies develop along the same path. The irritating effects of allergic or infectious factors cause increased sensitivity of tissues to external influences. An inflammatory process develops, which is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of tissues. As inflammation spreads, the penetrating ability of the mucous membrane increases and bacteria can penetrate into the tissues, where the result of their vital activity is the formation of pus.
When dacryocystitis comes to the fore anatomical features newborns. The fact is that while the fetus is in the womb, its nasolacrimal duct is blocked by a thin film - a membrane, which protects Airways baby from ingestion of amniotic fluid. At the time of the baby's birth or during the first days, the membrane ruptures on its own, allowing the contents accumulated in the nasolacrimal duct to escape. Tears now periodically clean the tear duct, preventing dust, bacteria, and allergens from accumulating there.
If the film remains intact as a result of stagnation in the area of the lacrimal sac, an inflammatory process may develop. Bacteria that enter the nasolacrimal duct linger there for a long time, causing the appearance of purulent contents, as in the case of other inflammatory eye pathologies (blepharitis, barley, conjunctivitis).
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Symptoms of red eyelids in a newborn
As we have already said, redness of the eyelids in infants can have physiological and pathological causes. If non-pathological redness of the eyelids is not accompanied by the appearance of other suspicious symptoms that cause anxiety and crying in the baby, then eye diseases have not one, but several symptoms, from which one can understand approximately what the parents are dealing with.
With blepharitis, barley, conjunctivitis, red eyelids and swelling of the eyes in a newborn are considered only the first signs of the disease, from which it is very difficult to tell which part of the eye is affected. Later, they are joined by more specific symptoms, indicating not only the nature of the pathology, but also its location.
For blepharitis, these symptoms are:
- peeling of the skin and the appearance of yellowish crusts along the edge of the eyelid in the eyelash growth area; if the crusts are removed, small wounds can be found underneath them,
- loss of eyelashes in the affected area,
- itching, burning and pain on the skin in this area, which can be judged by the behavior of the child, who begins to be capricious, constantly cries, and constantly reaches out with his hands to his eyes
- narrowing of the palpebral fissure due to swelling of the eyelids and a feeling of heaviness when opening the eyes.
A red upper eyelid in a newborn indicates that the inflammation is localized in the upper part of the eye. However, in most cases, redness and swelling gradually spread to the lower eyelid.
Barley can leak into mild form when redness and slight swelling of the eyelids is the only symptom, or have a more severe course with the formation of a dense abscess, which increases in size over time until it breaks and the pus flows out. Styes are characterized by the sensation that a foreign body has entered the eye, and severe itching in place of the abscess.
If the barley becomes large, hyperthermia and enlarged lymph nodes are added to the existing symptoms, indicating severe inflammation and a purulent process.
Barley can be either single or multiple. If there are several foci of inflammation, almost the entire eyelid turns red and swells. This phenomenon is called an abscess, and it is characterized by: increased photosensitivity and lacrimation, a feeling of obstruction in the eye, discharge of purulent contents from the eye.
The same symptoms are characteristic of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. If a newborn is diagnosed with conjunctivitis, his behavior changes greatly. The child becomes capricious, but tears flow from his eyes not only while crying, but also when the baby is calm (tearing increases under the influence of cold or bright light). The baby constantly squints his eyes, if he is brought into the light, he may turn away or rub his eyes with his fists and cry.
Later, redness and swelling of the eyelids, discharge of pus and its accumulation in the inner corners of the eyes join the main symptoms. The baby's eyes become very red and itchy, and bags and bruises may form under the eyes. The nose becomes stuffy, mucus (snot) is actively released from it, and the child may begin to sneeze and cough. The cough can be either dry or wet.
If conjunctivitis is infectious in nature, it is often accompanied by a cough and fever, which makes it different from an allergic disease.
Keratitis most often occurs as a consequence of the disease described above. In this case, the most intense redness is observed in the corners of the eyes near the eyeball. The child feels severe pain, so he often cries, doesn’t want to eat, and closes his eyes. Tears flow from his eyes almost constantly. Most specific symptom Pathology is considered to be a slight clouding of the corneal layer of the eye (it becomes insufficiently transparent).
The first signs of dacryocystitis are constant lacrimation. A little later, parents may notice red and swollen eyelids in the newborn, the appearance of swelling and bruising under the eyes, and a decrease in the palpebral fissure (there is a feeling that the baby is constantly squinting). Further, in the corners of the eyes, as with conjunctivitis, pus may appear. Its release can be provoked by light pressure on the lacrimal sac.
Any of the inflammatory pathologies of the eyes can affect either one or both eyes, easily spreading from one organ of vision to another. Often the disease begins in one eye, the child, due to parental oversight, actively rubs it and transfers the infection with his hands to the other eye.
As you can see, redness of the eyelids in newborns can be observed in various pathologies. And even additional symptoms cannot give parents uneducated in matters of eye diseases a clear picture of the existing disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to consult a specialist doctor.
It is important to understand this point as well. Almost any inflammatory pathology of the organs of vision can have not one, but several forms, depending on the pathogen. It is clear that the approach to the treatment of bacterial, viral and allergic nature may differ noticeably. Therefore, self-medication without an accurate diagnosis often not only does not lead to improvement, but can also cause dangerous complications, affecting both the eyes and other important human organs.
Complications and consequences
It's time to talk about what unpleasant consequences untimely or incorrect treatment of inflammatory pathologies can have, which parents are told about by red eyelids in their newborn son or daughter. And the causes of these consequences in most cases are the inattention of parents and placing high hopes on traditional treatment.
Any inflammation in the body negatively affects primarily the functioning of those organs that have been affected by a bacterial or viral infection. Thus, any inflammatory pathology localized in the area of the visual organs can negatively affect their functionality.
Take blepharitis, for example. This pathology does not seem as dangerous as conjunctivitis or keratitis, because the inflammation covers the eyelid only along the very edge. However, if the disease is treated carelessly and effective antibacterial or antiviral treatment, the inflammation will quickly spread to the conjunctiva and cornea, and one or two more similar to it will join the initial diagnosis.
Conjunctivitis is a pathology that can actively spread both externally and internally. This is especially true for infectious pathologies, which have such rich symptoms, similar to colds, for good reason. If the disease is not treated, the purulent process and the spread of inflammation to the nearby layers of the cornea of the eye can play a cruel joke and significantly worsen the child’s vision. In severe cases, conjunctivitis and keratitis are quite capable of completely depriving the baby of the ability to see the world.
All of the above pathologies are also dangerous because they quickly become chronic, when any unfavorable conditions against the background of reduced immunity can cause a relapse of the disease. But chronic diseases themselves can reduce the body’s defenses, opening the way to more and more new diseases.
If you look carefully, a decrease in visual acuity is a fairly common complication of any inflammatory eye pathologies, the treatment of which has not received due attention. But the greatest danger is still posed by those forms of eye diseases that are accompanied by the formation of pus. This is facilitated by the location of our visual organs.
The human eyes are located in the head area in close proximity to the brain. Thus, the release of pus into the orbit is fraught with the entry of the bacterial component into the cranial cavity. Bacterial and viral infections can cause inflammation of organs and tissues inside the skull. Hence not only a significant deterioration in the child’s vision, but also such life-threatening diseases as inflammation of the lining of the brain, called miningitis, and blood poisoning (also known as sepsis).
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Diagnosis of red eyelids in a newborn
When it comes to the health of our children, self-diagnosis should be the last thing caring parents turn to. It is clear that grandmothers, mothers and other relatives of the newly-made parents of a beautiful child will give a lot of advice on how and what to treat the baby, believing that their life experience is quite enough. In fact, following the good advice of loved ones does not always lead to getting rid of the disease without sad consequences.
If suspicious symptoms appear, the child’s parents should immediately contact their local pediatrician, who, if necessary, will prescribe additional consultations and examinations by other doctors, in this case an ophthalmologist.
In any case, the final diagnosis is made by a pediatric ophthalmologist, who, in addition to examining the little patient’s eyes, conducts a survey of parents, a medical history, biomicroscopy, and refers laboratory research(cytology of discharge from the eye). Clarify the diagnosis, i.e. Special laboratory tests help determine the causative agent of the disease: bacteriological, and if the infectious factor is not identified, also virological and immunological.
If the allergic nature of the disease is suspected, allergy tests and laboratory blood tests for the content of eosinophils and immunoglobulin are carried out to exclude dysbacteriosis and the presence of worms.
If obstruction of the lacrimal duct is suspected, contrast radiography of the lacrimal ducts or a special test with contrast agents may be prescribed. In the latter case, the patency of the nasolacrimal duct is determined by the time it takes for the contrast agent to pass through it, which is instilled into the eye and should appear no later than 10 minutes later on a cotton swab placed in the nasal passage.
An important role in diagnosing a disease, the symptom of which is red eyelids in a newborn, is played by differential diagnosis. Still this symptom is not specific and can be observed in various inflammatory eye diseases. But in this case, the decisive point in prescribing treatment is not so much the name of the pathology as its nature. For example, there is no point in treating allergic or viral conjunctivitis with antibiotics. Such treatment can only cause complications in various organs of the baby, disrupt the microflora of the body, completely destroy the immune system, but in no way defeat the disease. The same can be said about treatment bacterial pathology only antihistamines, which are successfully used in the treatment of allergic diseases.
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Treatment of red eyelids in a newborn
Many parents, when they see red eyelids on a newborn, become confused and begin to panic. Their excitement is understandable, because for loving parents the health of their long-awaited baby is more valuable than their own life. But panic in this case is unacceptable, because it does not allow you to think and act logically.
The question is, what to do if a newborn has red eyelids, the answer is rhetorical: of course, show the child to the doctor, especially if other suspicious symptoms appear that cause concern in the child. After examining the child and making a final diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe treatment appropriate to the existing pathology, and not a universal prescription that helped your great-grandmother.
Each inflammatory pathology of the visual organs requires its own approach to treatment. However, there is a general point that helps to successfully treat different types of the same pathology:
- inflammations of a bacterial nature are treated with antibiotics that are active against a specific pathogen (most often these drugs have a wide spectrum of action, are prepared in the form of eye drops and ointments: chloramphenicol, tetracycline, albucid, etc.),
- eye diseases of an allergic nature cannot be treated without taking antihistamines (Fenistil, Suprastin, Tavegil, Cetrin), however, sometimes in children inflammatory eye diseases can go away without the use of medications if the allergen is identified and removed,
- viral etiology of inflammatory pathologies of the organs of vision involves the use antiviral agents or so-called immunostimulants (Interferon drops, Oksolin, Terbofen, Zovirax ointments, etc.).
Since the treatment of sore eyes is carried out mainly with the help of special drops and ointments, before using them it is necessary to prepare the eye for medical procedure, wiping it with antiseptic solutions (furatsilin solution, a light pink composition of water and potassium permanganate, as well as natural medicines: tea leaves, mint infusion, chamomile infusion, etc.).
It is important to remember that the instruments used to treat a newborn (pipette, containers for preparing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds) and auxiliary means (bandage, cotton wool) must be sterile. The pipette must be boiled before the first use and after each subsequent use.
Any medications: ointments, drops, eye wash solutions should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. If you already have some medications at home that have previously been used in the treatment of eyes in adults or older children, you should definitely consult with a specialist about the possibility and feasibility of their use in the treatment of a newborn. Not all “adult” drugs can be used in pediatric practice without consequences, and the dosage for children and adults is usually not the same.
What can be done when the first symptoms of the disease appear if it is not possible to immediately visit a doctor? First, you need to take all measures to prevent the child from touching his eyes with his hands. It is clear that the itching and pain will greatly bother the baby, and he will, in his own way, use his hands to try to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms, but in fact will only aggravate the situation and transfer the infection from one eye to the other. It would be better to swaddle the baby so that he cannot reach his face.
As with any other disease, the child needs to be provided with bed rest, fresh air (by ventilating the room), and absence of drafts. It is necessary to ensure that the air in the room where the child is is at room temperature. Heat and cold can only make the situation worse.
Usually, parents associate redness and swelling of the eyelids in childhood with stye and, on the advice of “experienced” people, rush to apply it to the affected eye. dry heat(usually in the form of a boiled egg). This should not be done, because even with barley, heat can be adjusted only to ripen the hatching barley at the height of the disease, and not at its beginning. And if we consider that in other inflammatory pathologies heat is not used at all (and we don’t even know the exact diagnosis yet), then such treatment can only cause dangerous complications instead of alleviating the baby’s condition.
Since photophobia is one of the symptoms of many inflammatory eye diseases, you should not take your baby out into bright light or turn on intense lighting, which will only increase the anxiety of the little patient.
As first aid, you can try wiping your child’s eyes with an anti-inflammatory composition based on herbal ingredients: decoction and infusion of calendula or chamomile, black or green tea, decoctions of mint, cornflower, as well as dill and parsley, permanent residents of our dachas and vegetable gardens. But wipe is a strong word, because the skin around the eyes of newborns is so thin that instead of rubbing, you need to apply lotions using a sterile bandage and cotton wool. For each eye you need to take separate pieces of cotton wool and a bandage and preferably a separate container with the medicinal composition.
When blotting the sore eye, there is no need to move randomly from one corner of the eye to the other. The direction of hand movement should be from the outer edge of the eye to the inner. This will prevent the infection from spreading throughout the eye, because most often the problem is localized precisely in the area of the inner corners (closer to the nose).
Under no circumstances should you use various pharmaceutical drugs without a doctor’s prescription. Firstly, without knowing the exact diagnosis, one cannot assume how appropriate the use of this remedy is. Why do you need to give your child drugs he doesn’t need? Secondly, the baby is small and it is unknown how his body will react to the drug you have. It would be better if the first time the doctor performs eye drops or rinsing for a newborn, or if you do it yourself under the supervision of medical staff.
Regarding dacryocystitis, we can say that its treatment is not much different from other pathologies, except that along with antiseptics and antibacterial solutions, an additional special eye massage is prescribed, which helps remove pus from the lacrimal sacs and stimulates the independent opening of the lacrimal canals. This treatment is usually carried out until 2 months of age. If the tear ducts still remain closed, the child is sent for their probing - an operation that is performed under local anesthesia very quickly and does not cause harm or discomfort to the baby.
Prevention
Inflammatory diseases eyes in a newborn, one of the symptoms of which are red and swollen eyelids, pose a health hazard at any age. And what can we say about a baby in whom many vital systems have not yet been fully formed? The task of parents is to provide adequate care for their child, which will help to avoid these and many other diseases that lie in wait for the baby on the way to growing up.
Fulfilling simple child care requirements will help parents avoid many troubles, although no one can give a 100% guarantee that the baby will not get sick. If, however, it was not possible to prevent the disease, you need to take measures to treat it as soon as possible by seeking help from a medical institution.
Forecast
Like other inflammatory pathologies described in the article, eye diseases, for which characteristic symptom are red eyelids in a newborn, do not like delay. Not at an early stage, they are all treated, and quite successfully. But the prognosis for recovery in any case depends on the attentiveness and efficiency of the parents. The sooner they notice changes in the baby’s condition and begin the treatment recommended by the doctor, the easier the disease will be, the less likely there are complications and the higher the chance of a quick recovery.
