Pink Eye? Call Doc or Wait 'Til Monday?

Updated on November 20, 2007
A.N. asks from Green Lane, PA
14 answers

Hello,

My 18-month-old daughter has a yellow-green mucousy discharge from her eye. It started this morning, and her eye seems to be swollen some also (I can't tell if it is "pink"). This is my first eye issue with a child. Do I call the doctor on call for the weekend or wait until Monday? I'm not sure if these symptoms warrant an after-hours call to the pediatrician, but I don't want my daughter to be in discomfort until Monday either. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all of your messages. I did call the pediatrician, and the nurse on call thinks that my daughter has a viral infection caused by her cold (I suppose this is the viral pink eye). They called in a prescription for her. Hopefully, she'll be feeling better soon! Thanks again for all the good advice.

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J.M.

answers from Canton on

I would suggest taking her to stat care. The more objects she touches, the more chances that the infection will be passed to everyone in the home/ in contact with the child.
Pink eye is not fun.

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J.F.

answers from Cleveland on

According to my sons Drs. pinkeye can also be accompanied by an ear infection, which has happened with my son 3x's. There is over the counter stuff you can buy and the pharmacists will tell you if your child is too young to give it to. The Dr. most likely will not prescribe anything unless she is examined anyways. If you are unsure take her to Urgent Care or the ER.
Good Luck!
Jenn

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H.H.

answers from Lexington on

Call the pediatrician's office for a weekend number to reach a nurse on-call. They should be able to give you advice on how to comfort your child until you can get an appointment Monday. Also, they will let you know which symptoms warrant a trip to the ER or urgent treatment center.

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M.W.

answers from Toledo on

it could be pink eye, witch untreated could lead to celluitous( sporry about the spelling)of the eye that could end upo damageing the eye( not something to mess with) if the eye swells shut take her to the ER My son developed this with in hours. It also could be just allergies but either way i would still call the doctor and let them know the symptoms and see if they want you to go to the er or call you in something and see you on monday in the office. Never feel bad about calling the doctor after hours or on the weekend they get paid for being on call to help us with our medical questions.

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L.H.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A., I would call and try to get her in not only to make her feel better but to keep it from spreading. And the dr will probably tell you that there are two types of pink eye. Bacterial and viral. If she has had a recent cold or been around sick people its most likely viral which is not contagious. However, if it is bacterial it can spread to your family and others. If you can't get her in Similisan makes an over the counter pink eye medicine that might help out till you get her seen. Whichever it turns out to be they will probably treat them the same. It is hard for a dr to determine which is viral and which is bacterial.
Hope this helps.
L.

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J.J.

answers from Toledo on

Having worked in a pediatric office, I know from experience that the Dr. will want to examine her. Wait until Monday because they're probably not going to call anything in anyway. It will help her comfort level in the mean time if you can put a warm wet wash cloth on her eye with minimal pressure. Also, if by some chance you're still breastfeeding, soak a corner of the cloth with breast milk and apply it to the eye. Sounds gross, but it actually helps with the redness and the pain.

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W.E.

answers from Louisville on

I would call the Dr. so your little one can have some relief!! It sure does sound like pink eye to me big time!! Just call your MD and they will call her soemthing in.
Good luck,
W.

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L.F.

answers from Cincinnati on

A., I have gone a few rounds with pink eye with my son. It is extremely contagious and can be very uncomfortable for anyone, but especially a baby. Your pediatrician probably will not prescribe you meds without seeing the child, so they will most likely direct you to urgent care. It's worth it to go ahead and get a prescription started. If you start it today, you could have the discharge cleared up by tomorrow or Tuesday. Good luck!

.....L

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A.W.

answers from Columbus on

If you don't want to call your peditrician you can always take her to an urgent care. When my daughter was her age she had the same thing, I think it was Easter Sunday!!! We went to the local urgent care and things went perfectly fine. Except when it came to putting the eye drops into her eyes, that took me sitting on her and pinning her down and my husband had to get them in!!!!

Good Luck!!!

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J.H.

answers from Columbus on

Absolutely call the Dr. If it is pink eye, it is HIGHLY contagious and can lead to other problems. These kinds of things are why Drs have after hours. You could also take her to an urgent care. Hope this helps!

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S.T.

answers from Cleveland on

I would just wait until monday unless she is in a lot of pain or is running a high fever.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

It sounds like pink eye to me as well, and it is highly contagious which is the biggest reason to get it taken care of fast. It generally isn't to uncomfortable though, and a warm compress will generally clean the eye failry easily. good luck

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C.L.

answers from Cleveland on

It sounds like pink eye to me. I'd have her checked so both eyes don't get infected.
Good Luck!
C.

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S.E.

answers from Cleveland on

I don't mess around with eyes. Call the doctor. The doctors job is to answer your questions. My 4 month old got eye gunk, and passed it on to my 3 year old. I called the doctor on a Saturday night, had a script called in that night, and relife by the next morning. Better get it fixed up now.

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