UPDATE: It's not regular old pinkeye, it's Hib!

[pb&j]

The culture that the urgent care doc took from DS's eye just came back positive for Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b)! Thankfully, the doc put him on antibiotics for the ear infection, which have (hopefully) treated the Hib that we didn't know he had. Hib can be deadly, so I'm waiting for a call back from the on-call pedi to make sure DS is getting the right meds. DS was a little more tired than usual today, but I figured he was just recovering from our crazy weekend. The good news is, the eye ointment probably isn't necessary.


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DS came down with pinkeye and an ear infection. On a holiday weekend. While we were out of town. Yikes. He's on the mend, but the Urgent Care doc prescribed antibiotic eye ointment, and he understandably does not like having it put in his eyes. Which needs to be done four times per day. Any tricks? Right now, it's a two-person operation - DH holds down his arms, and I try to pry his eyes open and squirt in the goo. I can't be sure how much is actually getting in his eye - it looks like it all ends up on his eyelashes. We got back to town today, and my regular ped's office is open tomorrow - would eye drops be easier than the ointment?

TIA!


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

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http://b1.lilypie.com/aKGqm5/.png[/img] ([img)

[HHCs Mom]

I'd say drops would be infinitely easier than ointment! DS has conjunctivitis right now (not pink eye, though) and we are doing drops. I have to wrestle him just like you described but they get in and the meds are making a world of good! Hope your dr. can give you drops instead of ointment when you go back. My DS is two, though, so he's harder to wrestle than an almost 5 month old. :)
Kim
~ mama to a sweet boy named Harrison ~ 4.6.04

[ellies mom]

I don't have any tricks for administering ointment but I have had to give myself ointment several times in the past and even without squirming all about, it seems to mostly end up on my eyelashes. I'm sure eye drops would be easier though, so it would be worth a try. Good luck and hugs to Max. :(

[thomma]

IMO eye drops are a lot easier. In the past I've put them in ds/dd's eyes while they were closed and the drops go in when they open their eyes. We had a tough time with the ointment too.
Hope your ds feels better soon.
good luck-


Kim
t&e 5/03

[pb&j]

Wow, that was fast! Thanks for your advice. I'll definitely call about drops tomorrow. :)


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

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http://b1.lilypie.com/aKGqm5/.png[/img] ([img)

[kochh2]

if you're open to it, there are a few homeopathis remedies which work wonders for Conjunctivitis.... Our Ds had it around 5 mos, and we cleared a very ansty infefction up with pulsatilla and euphrasia... both of which are tiny sort of sweet, easily dissolved pellets that treat the eye from the inside out... of course, you have to be open to using such alternative medicine, but i swear by it, and it is much gentler and kinder to one's body.... that said,
I respect yoru decision to use or not use homeopathy, and have you tried to old distraction methods?? TV, outside, bath time, feeding times, etc?? Maybe make it a game... i missed how old your DC is, but when I have to give DS tylenol, i give him an empty dropper to "give" some to Mommy first, he ussually plays along willingly!!
HTH... hang in there, i think it's worse for us than it is for them!!!

[m448]

Until you get the drops you can try breastmilk. Amazing what it will do and easy to just apply a few drops (only fresh though,not frozen/defrosted/chilled).


Marielle


Ian - born 10/03
&
Ryan - born 01/06

[Marisa6826]

I had to do ointment in Sophie's eyes after her surgery, so I know how tricky it is. I remember specifically asking why they didn't do drops, and they said that the ointment was much better at providing lubrication so that the eye itself doesn't get more inflamed from the friction of the inevitable rubbing he will do.

Pull down Max's lower eyelid, and try and get a little in the 'pocket' of the lid. The head of Opthalmology at CHoP said that it's OK if it gets on the eyelids/lashes only, since the heat of their skin will 'melt' the medication and it will get to where it needs to be on its own.

You can do it when you're by yourself: First, lay Max on the changing table. With one forearm laid over his upper body (blocking his hands/arms from going up), use that elbow to kind of hold his head in place against the changing pad.

With the other free hand, rub some of the ointment on his eyelids closest to his lashes. It helps if you have already washed your hands and have smeared the ointment on your fingertip. That way you not only don't have to worry about jabbing him in the eye, but you also won't risk cross contaminating the tube.

Good luck!

-m

[pb&j]

Thanks! Your post reminds me of the "how to pill a cat" post. ;)


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32812.gif
http://b1.lilypie.com/aKGqm5/.png[/img] ([img)

[Marisa6826]

LOL. Not much different when you get down to it! :P

-m

[pb&j]

I should have gotten a dog! ;)


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32812.gif
http://b1.lilypie.com/aKGqm5/.png[/img] ([img)

[elephantmeg]

for more wiggly babies/toddlers (you know the ones where you swear they grow 6 extra arms) you may have to blanket roll them to get their hands out of the way (also usefull for nose suctioning). Take a large baby blanket or regular throw and fold it in half, place it under him. Tuck both arms in with one side and then pull the other side around and tuck under him and then use your forearm to hold him still. With practice you can use that same arm to pull down the eyelid. I know, mean but effective for last resort. Can you tell I'm a peds nurse?!?

[ColorBlue]

Here is another way. My twins had conjunctivities back to back to back in the early winter and this was the only way I could get it into their eyes.

Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Have the child lay down with their head between your legs by your crotch. Place their arms under your legs so that they are pinned there. Once they are pretty much imobilized and you are squeezing their head with your thighs, place the drops/ointment in their eyes...squeeze your legs tight so they don't move their heads...voila...over in 30 seconds. Sounds mean but its quick and easy and by the fourth or fifth day of the drops they would just lay down!

Tracy

[octmom]

I just saw this and it looks like you got lots of advice, so I won't add to that. Just wanted to say that I hope Max is feeling better quickly!

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03
DD, Katie 3/06

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[kedss]

big hugs, Ry!
I hope Max feels better soon!