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What Causes Excessive Eye Discharge While Suffering From Respiratory Tract Infection?
Posted on
Sun, 9 Apr 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 9 Apr 2017
Answered on
Wed, 3 May 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello doctor, my 4yr old son has sticky eyes since 2 days. He is waking up with eyes stuck with some sticky material, after cleaning also eyes look slightly red. He has cold and was complaining of ear ache last night. We gave meftal, after which pain subsided and he slept. Can you please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query. It seems that your child has a viral repiratory tract infection. This could have led to thickening of mucus which in turn could have blocked the nasolacrymal duct as well as the eustachian tubes. The nasolacrymal ducts originate from the inner angle of the eyes and drain the tears into the nose. Blockage of these ducts could lead to thickened secretions in the eyes. On the other hand, the eustachian tubes are thin tubes connecting between the throat and the middle ear cavity. Blockage of these tubes could lead to pressure imbalance in the middle ear, leading to ear ache.
You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just sit with your child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Use Nasoclear Saline Nasal Drops in case of nose block. It is also advisable to give some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily for next few days. The eyes need to be washed frequently with plain water. If the redness still persists, you might need to administer antibiotic drops like Ciprofloxacin 4-5 times a day.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Likely to be due to a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query. It seems that your child has a viral repiratory tract infection. This could have led to thickening of mucus which in turn could have blocked the nasolacrymal duct as well as the eustachian tubes. The nasolacrymal ducts originate from the inner angle of the eyes and drain the tears into the nose. Blockage of these ducts could lead to thickened secretions in the eyes. On the other hand, the eustachian tubes are thin tubes connecting between the throat and the middle ear cavity. Blockage of these tubes could lead to pressure imbalance in the middle ear, leading to ear ache.
You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just sit with your child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Use Nasoclear Saline Nasal Drops in case of nose block. It is also advisable to give some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily for next few days. The eyes need to be washed frequently with plain water. If the redness still persists, you might need to administer antibiotic drops like Ciprofloxacin 4-5 times a day.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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