Pink Eye in Kids in Brampton: Telling the Types Apart and Getting Help

Your child wakes up with one eye glued shut by a yellowish crust, or comes home from school rubbing a red, watery eye. Before long a sibling has it too. Pink eye, the everyday name for conjunctivitis, is one of the most common eye problems in childhood, and it has a reputation for moving quickly through daycares, classrooms and family homes.

Most cases of pink eye are mild and clear up without lasting problems. Still, red eyes can sometimes signal something more serious, and different types of pink eye are managed differently. Knowing what to look for helps you decide what to do next.

In Ontario, pharmacists can assess certain types of conjunctivitis as part of their minor ailment services. At Pharmasave BramNorth on Dewside Drive in Brampton, you can ask about a pink eye or eye allergy assessment, and our pharmacists will let you know whether your child’s situation is suitable for pharmacy care or needs a doctor.

What conjunctivitis actually is

The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. When it becomes inflamed, the small blood vessels in it become more visible, giving the eye its pink or red appearance. Inflammation can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies or irritants such as smoke or chlorine.

Because the causes differ, so do the best approaches. An allergy-related red eye will not respond to an antibiotic, and a viral infection usually has to run its course. Getting a sense of which type you are dealing with is the first step.

Viral pink eye: the most common culprit

Viral conjunctivitis often comes along with a cold. Your child may have a runny nose, sore throat or cough, and then one eye becomes red and watery. The second eye frequently follows within a day or two. Discharge tends to be clear and watery rather than thick, though there may be some crusting in the morning.

Viral pink eye is very contagious. It usually improves on its own over one to two weeks. Antibiotic drops will not help a viral infection. Comfort care, such as cool compresses and gentle cleaning, is the mainstay.

Bacterial pink eye: thicker discharge

Bacterial conjunctivitis tends to produce a thicker, yellow or green discharge that may glue the eyelids together, especially after sleep. It can start in one eye and spread to the other. It is also contagious.

Mild bacterial pink eye often clears up on its own, but antibiotic drops or ointment may be recommended in some cases to speed recovery or because a school or child care centre has policies about returning. A pharmacist or doctor can assess whether treatment is appropriate. If a medicine is prescribed, use it as directed for the full time on the label.

Allergic pink eye: itch is the clue

Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes at the same time. The standout symptom is itch, often intense, along with redness, watering and sometimes puffy eyelids. It tends to happen alongside other allergy symptoms such as sneezing or a runny nose, and it may flare up in spring and summer when pollen counts rise, or year-round with triggers such as dust or pet dander.

Allergic pink eye is not contagious, so there is no need to keep a child home from school because of it. Avoiding triggers, rinsing the face after outdoor play, and using products recommended by a pharmacist can all help. Ask us before using any eye drops in a young child, since not all products are suitable for every age.

Caring for sore eyes at home

Whatever the cause, some basic care can make your child more comfortable:

• Clean away discharge gently with a clean, damp cotton pad or cloth, wiping from the inner corner of the eye outward. Use a fresh pad for each wipe and for each eye.
• Apply a cool, clean compress to the closed eyes for a few minutes to ease itching and irritation.
• Keep fingernails short and encourage your child not to rub their eyes.
• If your child wears contact lenses, which some teenagers do, remove them until the eyes have fully recovered, and ask your eye care provider about replacing the lenses and case.
• Do not use leftover eye drops from another person or a previous infection.

When applying drops or ointment to a reluctant child, it can help to have them lie down and close their eyes. Place the drop at the inner corner of the closed eye, then ask them to blink; the drop will usually flow in. Our pharmacists can demonstrate this technique when you pick up a prescription.

Stopping the spread through the household

Infectious pink eye spreads through contact with discharge, usually on hands, towels, pillowcases and shared surfaces. In busy homes where children share bedrooms, bathrooms and play spaces, a few precautions go a long way:

• Wash hands with soap and water after touching the eyes or applying drops, and help your child do the same.
• Give each family member their own towel and face cloth.
• Change pillowcases frequently while symptoms last.
• Do not share eye makeup, and discard any used during the infection.
• Wipe down shared items such as tablets, remotes and toys.

Policies about returning to school or child care vary. Some centres ask that a child with bacterial pink eye start treatment before returning; others focus on whether the child is well enough to participate. Check with your school or child care provider, and Peel Public Health’s website for general information about infections in schools.

Other causes of red eyes in children

Not every red eye is conjunctivitis. Children get red eyes for plenty of other reasons, and knowing the possibilities can help you describe the situation clearly to a pharmacist or doctor.

A small particle of sand, an eyelash or a bit of glitter from a craft project can irritate the eye and cause redness and watering. Often, blinking or a gentle rinse with clean lukewarm water will flush it out. If your child still feels something is in the eye after rinsing, or the eye is very painful, have it checked.

Chlorinated pool water, smoke from a backyard fire pit, or strong cleaning products can cause temporary redness. Rubbing tired eyes after a late night of screen time can do the same. Swimming goggles and good ventilation help in these situations.

A stye, which is a tender red bump on the edge of the eyelid, is different from pink eye and often responds to warm compresses. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margins, can cause crusty, itchy lids that come and go. Children with eczema or seasonal allergies may also have more irritated eyes.

Describing what came first, whether both eyes are involved, and what the discharge looks like helps the person assessing your child narrow down the cause and choose the right next step.

Red flags that need prompt care

Pink eye is usually mild, but some symptoms suggest a more serious eye problem. Seek prompt medical attention, through a doctor, eye care professional or emergency department, if your child has:

• Significant eye pain, not just irritation.
• Changes in vision, such as blurriness that does not clear with blinking.
• Strong sensitivity to light.
• Swelling, redness or tenderness of the eyelid and the skin around the eye, especially with fever.
• An eye injury, or a chemical splash in the eye. For chemical exposure, rinse the eye with lukewarm water immediately and call the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800-268-9017 or 911.
• Symptoms in a newborn. Red or sticky eyes in the first weeks of life should always be checked by a doctor.

Also seek care if symptoms are getting worse instead of better after a few days, or if your child seems generally unwell.

What to expect at a pharmacy assessment

Ontario’s minor ailment program, described by the Ontario College of Pharmacists, allows pharmacists to assess and, when appropriate, prescribe for conjunctivitis. During an assessment, the pharmacist will ask about your child’s age, symptoms, how long they have been present, any recent colds, allergies, contact lens use and medical history. They may look at the eye.

Based on that conversation, the pharmacist may recommend comfort care, suggest an over-the-counter product, prescribe a medicine when appropriate, or refer you to a doctor. Some situations, including very young children and certain symptoms, fall outside what a pharmacist can manage, and the pharmacist will tell you if that is the case. Ask the pharmacy about any eligibility requirements or fees before your visit.

You can learn more about the range of conditions our pharmacists can help with on our minor ailments page.

Get support from Pharmasave BramNorth

If your child has red, itchy or crusty eyes and you are not sure what to do, our team can help you sort through the options. Bring a list of any medicines your child takes and any allergies they have.

Visit Pharmasave BramNorth at 25 & 26 - 2 Dewside Drive, Brampton, ON L6R 3Y5, call us at (905) 792-7333, or check our contact page for details. To set up an assessment time, use our booking page.

Please treat this article as general information. Eye symptoms vary, and a pharmacist, doctor or eye care professional should assess your child’s individual situation.