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Is Swimming Safe When Diagnosed With Conjunctivitis?
Posted on
Sat, 2 Jul 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 2 Jul 2016
Answered on
Mon, 25 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My son has conjunctivitis. Should he stay out of the pool?
Brief Answer:
Avoid pool until symptoms are gone.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is best for him to stay out of the pool until the conjunctivitis clears because the chlorine or other pool treatment can irritate the already irritated and inflamed conjunctiva.
In addition to the antibiotic drops that he was prescribed, applying moist heat (as much as a 1 year old will let you!) can speed resolution of the infection. This works for either viral conjunctivitis (which does not respond to antibiotic drops) and bacterial conjunctivitis. If your son will let you, hold him up by the sink, and soak a wash cloth under very warm water and hold against his closed eye. When it cools, repeat. If you can do this a few times a day that is best.
I hope this information helps. Good luck.
Avoid pool until symptoms are gone.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is best for him to stay out of the pool until the conjunctivitis clears because the chlorine or other pool treatment can irritate the already irritated and inflamed conjunctiva.
In addition to the antibiotic drops that he was prescribed, applying moist heat (as much as a 1 year old will let you!) can speed resolution of the infection. This works for either viral conjunctivitis (which does not respond to antibiotic drops) and bacterial conjunctivitis. If your son will let you, hold him up by the sink, and soak a wash cloth under very warm water and hold against his closed eye. When it cools, repeat. If you can do this a few times a day that is best.
I hope this information helps. Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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