Possible pink eye

[AuntTami]

One of my kiddo's developed pink eye Sunday evening. He was kept home Monday and given drops from the doctor. Drops were started Monday at 11am-ish. Mom was told 24 hours, which is what the doctor said he was contagious for, so at noon yesterday she dropped him back off because her work wouldn't allow her to miss any more days(she's a nurse, so it's virtually impossible to get off) It was just him and I yesterday since my other kiddos(siblings) were out with colds, so it wasn't a huge deal. I made sure to be extra cautious about washing my hands, and not touching his eye or allowing him to touch it, just in case.

Well, he was here this weekend with me all weekend, and as the day wore on yesterday I felt my eye getting itchy and I woke up this morning with crusty eyelashes. My eye isn't pink, but it still feels a bit itchy. My pinkeye kiddo is off today, and the other two aren't coming because they're still sick, so I have the day off.

My question is, should I go to the doctor? On one hand I think, yes because I was exposed and my eye is itchy and it's better safe than sorry, but on the other hand I think, my eye isn't red like usually happens with pink eye and I don't want to make an unnecessary trip to the dr (or worse, urgent care if I can't get in with a primary dr today!)

I don't want it to spread if I DO have it, because the kiddos haven't been exposed to each other, so I'm really optimistic that they didn't catch it at all, but I don't want to waste a trip to the doctor with co-pay's etc. And like I said, its not red at all like typically pink eye is....

Edited to Add: I DO have insurance, but still have to pay my co-pay which is like $50 for primary and $100 for urgent care

WWYD?

[Shell]

My ds just came down with pink eye and it started off pretty slow and then a day or two later, it was really red and gunky. I did the wait and see approach, and it definitely got worse. Can you try a warm washcloth a few times a day, and visine? Sometimes, my eye makeup doesn't come off all the way or some gets in my eye and I panic and think it's pink eye (especially when it's been going around), and it turns out to be nothing. I would say give the washcloth and visine a try- I'm sure you wash your hands frequently, so you should be ok. If it looks like pink eye tonight or later, I would call for the drops- I think they can call it in without being seen in some cases. Also, you can check with your opthamologist, especially if you wear contacts or glasses. Hth

[AuntTami]

Thanks! I don't wear eye make up, contacts, or anything of the sort, which is what makes me wonder. I also don't use any irritating face washes and haven't used any new products that could make it an allergy.

I think I'll call and see if they'll give me an RX without being seen. That's a good idea.

[Unregistered]

Be sure to tell the doc you were exposed. Sometimes I just say I do daycare and they write the prescrip.

[AuntTami]

I called this morning and of course, my doctor wasn't in the office today and the nurse said that any other doctor would require me to be seen, so I went in since they wouldn't just send the script without being seen, even though I told the nurse that I was a DCP and that I had been exposed.

Pink eye in BOTH eyes! Lucky me!

[Maggie]

Years ago when there was a case of pink eye in my daycare someone suggested that I use a little Neosporin around my eyes and eyelashes to try to prevent myself from catching it. I've been exposed many times and have never gotten pink eye so it either works or I was just lucky.

[Shell]

I called this morning and of course, my doctor wasn't in the office today and the nurse said that any other doctor would require me to be seen, so I went in since they wouldn't just send the script without being seen, even though I told the nurse that I was a DCP and that I had been exposed.

Pink eye in BOTH eyes! Lucky me!

Aww! My ds had almost immediate results from the drops- cleared right up, but we have to use them for 5-7 days. No one else has it here (yet), fingers crossed!

[daycarediva]

Oh no! Pink eye is no fun at all!! I hope you feel better! I would also be sanitizing toys today.

[e.j.]

I called this morning and of course, my doctor wasn't in the office today and the nurse said that any other doctor would require me to be seen, so I went in since they wouldn't just send the script without being seen, even though I told the nurse that I was a DCP and that I had been exposed.

Pink eye in BOTH eyes! Lucky me!

Sometimes I think day care should come with hazard pay! The good news is, the other kids haven't been exposed so hopefully, now that you'll be getting treatment, it won't be passed around any further. Hope you feel better soon!

[Baby Beluga]

No fun! But at least you got the drops and should be on the mend soon.

When sanitizing - don't forget to sanitize your items too not just the kids stuff. Your bed, pillows, the car...everyone always forgets the car :hug: