Parents of kids with pink eye face some challenges in administering treatment and preventing the spread of pink eye. Children can get pink eye that is caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, and allergies.
Kids pink eye caused by viral and bacterial infections is contagious. The parents of children with pink eye should encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day. Parents should try to discourage children with pink eye from touching or rubbing their eyes. If parents witness their children with pink eye touching their eyes, the parents should insist that the children wash their hands.

Pink eye in toddlers can be especially difficult since trying to keep toddlers with pink eye from rubbing their eyes can be almost impossible. The parents of toddlers should focus on frequent hand washing. If the toddler normally shared toys with others, the parent may want to restrict the use of some toys to the infected toddler. These toys should be disinfected before others use them.

Treating pink eye in toddlers and children can be difficult. Many parents try to force the child’s eyes open to administer drops. This can cause unnecessary frustration on behalf of the parents and children. To administer eye drops to young children, first have them lie down and close their eyes. Parents can put the correct amount of eye drops in the inside corners of the eyes. The parents should then encourage the children to open their eyes. The eye drops should slide into the eye, which is gentler and less threatening to children as drops hitting the eye from a distance.

Kids pink eye is often contagious and can cause an outbreak in daycare centers and schools. Kids with pink eye should be kept at home unless the parent knows it is a non-contagious form of pink eye such as allergic conjunctivitis. If the child is being treated for pink eye, the doctor will let the parent know when it is safe for the child to return to school or daycare.

Generally, if the child has bacterial pink eye and is treated with antibiotics, the child can return to school or daycare after the child has been taking the medication for over twenty-four hours. A note from the doctor is often required to show that the child is being medically treated for pink eye. If the child is suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, the parents may still want to obtain a doctor’s note to show that the child’s pink eye is not contagious.