The child has swollen eyes and a stuffy nose

Symptoms and types of manifestations

It is possible to prevent dangerous pathological conditions provided that you pay close attention to the manifestation of any problems with the condition of the organs of vision, accompanied by their redness.

When parents come to the doctor with a complaint that their child has red eyes, it often has completely different manifestations. These include:

• detection of red streaks resulting from damage to the capillaries;
• complete redness caused by multiple damage to the vascular network, in which the entire white of the eye becomes red;
• redness with the accompanying symptom of swelling of the eyelids.

It should be noted that the symptoms of redness are quite varied and are often accompanied by concomitant manifestations, by which an experienced specialist determines the correlation of pathological changes with ophthalmological pathologies, diseases of other organs and systems, or the influence of other factors.

My child has red spots on his skin – what should I do?

It will help eliminate redness of the child’s skin, burning and peeling.

Redness on the skin of a child is one of the most common conditions, especially in early childhood. There can be many reasons for redness on the skin of different sizes and different locations. They occur when environmental conditions change or when the child is not cared for properly. In addition, there are many diseases of an allergic, infectious, hereditary nature that cause redness of the child’s skin. Of course, only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. But sometimes it happens that there is no way to urgently seek medical help. In addition, many parents want to have at least a superficial knowledge of the main childhood diseases. Therefore, we will try to figure out why redness occurs on a child’s skin and how dangerous they are.

Types of red eye symptoms in a child

Upon careful examination of the signs accompanying redness, the doctor makes a preliminary conclusion about the reasons for its occurrence. Significant differences are observed in the manifestations of symptoms with different natures of their occurrence:

1. The presence of a viral infection in the body is characterized by redness of the membrane without pus, but in combination with hyperthermia, sore throat and signs of rhinitis.
2. During measles, redness of the eyes appears against the background of temperature disturbances. Added to these manifestations are a painful reaction to light, lacrimation and skin rashes.
3. Redness of the whites caused by an allergic reaction is not the only symptom. At the same time, the eyelids swell, there is itching, and the eyes constantly itch. Runny nose, cough, watery eyes, skin rashes, sneezing are allergy symptoms.
4. Reddened eyes after waking up with the accompanying symptom of swelling of the eyelids indicate the likelihood of problems with removing fluid from the body due to dysfunction of the kidneys or urinary system.
5. Chlamydia infection occurs with hyperthermia, urethritis develops with further manifestation of conjunctivitis. The catarrhal form of conjunctivitis is chronic. Lack of treatment leads to uevitis or episcleritis, which negatively affects the acuity of visual function. Symptoms associated with uevitis include severe redness of the cornea, pain in the eyes, and photophobia.
6. The most severe manifestations are with glaucoma. Redness of the white is accompanied by intense headache and unclear perception of the surroundings.
7. It is possible that the baby’s eye is red and red dots have appeared on the cornea. These signs may be the result of birth trauma. They usually go away over time without special treatment.

   

There is no point in trying to determine the cause on your own based on the symptoms present. Only a specialist can do this. The parents' actions boil down to taking the child to the doctor in a timely manner.

Additional allergy symptoms

During an allergic reaction, special signs arise that distinguish the pathology from other diseases:

• partial or complete redness of the conjunctiva of both eyes , however, the process first forms in one eye;
• swelling of the upper/lower eyelids , which does not go away with the use of cold compresses or diuretics. Sometimes swelling develops to the point of “swollen cornea” syndrome;
• itching due to allergies with redness of the eyes is extensive , intensifying upon contact, there is also a burning sensation and a feeling of sand;
• uncontrolled optosis of the upper eyelid (movement);
• photophobia develops, against the background of which tearfulness develops;
• neglected process leads to purulent discharge.

To identify the causes and additional factors of allergies, it is necessary to undergo a complete diagnosis using CT, ultrasound, urine and blood tests. If the pathology appears for the first time against the background of certain circumstances, then a blood test and other diagnostic tests are prescribed to identify the causes of the disease. Sometimes additional diagnostics of the state of the immune system is required - an immunogram that accurately identifies the allergen that caused the pathology.

Sneezing and runny nose as additional symptoms

Redness is not always a direct sign of allergies: sneezing, runny nose and red eyes cause various diseases. However, there are cases in which a severe runny nose and endless sneezing are manifestations of an allergic reaction. In summer, this may be the body's response to plant pollen. During the rest of the year, similar symptoms are a sign of exposure to fur, dust, and reptile scales.

A cold also becomes a prerequisite for the formation of symptoms, but very often it is accompanied by a cough and fever.

If the signs of allergy worsen in the morning, then the cause may be: polyps, non-allergic rhinitis, drying of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx or nose. A deviated septum often leads to breathing problems and unpleasant symptoms.

Vasomotor rhinitis is a disease that occurs due to strong odors and exposure to temperature changes. Treatment is only symptomatic; the disease does not require other measures to eliminate it.

If a severe runny nose, accompanied by sneezing, is observed for a long time, then the development of chronic rhinitis becomes the cause. It is formed in response to insufficient treatment of the runny nose and weak immunity. People with abnormal nasal structure also develop this disease. Residents of large cities or unfavorable environmental and climatic zones are also susceptible to it.

In severe cases, rhinitis develops into purulent sinusitis, which requires medical intervention.

For you: The complexity of manifestations of allergies to medications, rules of assistance

Why does the child have red eyes?

The causes of redness of the white of the eye are very diverse. Often, various pathological conditions associated directly with diseases of the eyes or other organs and systems are identified as the basis for such manifestations:

1. Blepharitis, which negatively affects the eyelash growth area and the condition of the meibomian glands.
2. Uevitis is an inflammatory process that affects the choroid of an organ.
3. Conjunctivitis.
4. High pressure inside the eye.
5. Impaired patency of tears along the lacrimal duct.
6. Infectious diseases caused by chlamydia, viruses or bacteria.
7. Inflammation of the cornea and the formation of ulcers on it.
8. Glaucoma. This is the most serious cause of redness in the whites of the eyes. It is rarely observed in children. Most often it is a congenital vision defect.
9. Kidney failure.

   

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To avoid an increase in the negative symptoms described above, you should consult an ophthalmologist. This will be a prerequisite for a professional diagnosis and an adequate course of therapy.

Other reasons

Among the most common factors that can lead to redness of the sclera are:

1. Inadequate sleep, insufficient lighting, violation of the rules of working with a book, eye fatigue due to excessive time spent in front of the TV or computer.
2. Eye injury.
3. Clogged with dust or various foreign particles.
4. Reaction to sea water and hygiene products.
5. Allergies to animal fur, household chemicals and medications.
6. The effect of prolonged stay in a smoky room.
7. Eyes may become red as a result of exposure to air, hypothermia, sun or thermal burn.

In young children, their eyes turn red from prolonged crying, the habit of rubbing them with their hands, or simply from lack of sleep.

Failure to promptly eliminate negative factors can provoke serious structural changes in the eye, which leads to deterioration of visual function.

What should you be wary of?

An urgent reason to visit an ophthalmologist is the lack of positive dynamics in eliminating factors not related to pathological conditions that could cause redness of the eyes. In addition, the presence of symptoms such as:

• red eyes with the formation of pus and swelling;
• painful reaction to light;
• eye fatigue even without load;
• decreased visual perception.

Only timely contact with a specialist will help eliminate the pathological condition without the likelihood of complications.

Why does red eyes occur in children?

Children are constantly on the move, and there are many ways foreign objects can get into the eye. But redness of the eyes in children can be caused by several main reasons, among which is an allergic reaction to some irritant. If we talk about people who use lenses, then there may be cases when they do not fit, and the eye reacts to them in this way. In such cases, they should definitely be replaced and excluded from use. Apart from these main reasons, there are also several other factors that can cause red eyes in children.

Treatment methods

Based on an objective examination of the child and the necessary diagnostic measures, the doctor takes into account the causes and prescribes treatment according to the characteristics of the clinical course of the pathological condition:

• in case of viral etiology of redness, complex treatment is provided - antiviral drugs and Paracetamol, which eliminates the fear of light and lowers temperature readings while eliminating the redness of the proteins; it is also recommended to wash the eyes with Furacilin;
• Chlamydia infection becomes an indication for the use of antibiotics - Clarithromycin or Aziclar;
• the allergic nature of redness is eliminated by the use of antihistamines - Diphenhydramine or Levocetirizine;
• the bacterial origin of eye inflammation involves the use of antibiotics - Tetrizopine, Cephalosporin or Tetracycline;
• for conjunctivitis, a course of antibacterial drugs is also prescribed - drops, ointments;
• uevitis is effectively treated with glucocorticosteroids, immunostimulating drugs, as well as plasmapheresis and hemosorption procedures in a hospital setting;
• Treatment of the initial stage of glaucoma may be limited to the prescription of Pilocarpine, Acetazolamide or Betaxolol, but the need for surgical intervention cannot be ruled out.

  

Drug therapy involves its use exclusively as prescribed by an ophthalmologist. The availability of drugs and their independent use results in serious negative consequences.

Complications and consequences

The absence of a timely and adequate treatment course results in a worsening of the condition and the likelihood of:

• with an allergic nature of redness of the eyes - asthma attacks or Quincke's edema;
• against the background of viral and bacterial diseases - a complicated course of the underlying pathology, difficulty breathing and the development of otitis media;
• uevitis and glaucoma negatively affect visual function and can cause complete loss of vision.

It is possible to eliminate the possibility of developing complications provided that you strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician.

Preventive measures

Experts recommend:

• ensuring normal rest and sleep;
• exclusion of stressful situations;
• limiting time in front of the computer and TV;
• prevention of contact with sources of infectious diseases;
• ensuring normal lighting and adequate nutrition;
• compliance with personal hygiene rules.

The most important thing is that parents should show maximum attention to the child’s condition. The slightest deviations become a signal to identify the causes during a thorough examination, and, if necessary, carry out subsequent adequate treatment.

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