Pink Eye

[MrsK]

Two weeks ago, BabyK had it. Last week, DrK had it. Now Moxie and K2 have it. BabyK and Mx have had it several times. It's been going around the day care. We spoke with BabyK's classroom teacher and the school's director about sanitizing toys and hand washing. We've been washing BabyK's hands when we pick him up from day care, before he comes into the house. I'm the only one that hasn't had pink eye (ever) and I'm the only person in the house who wears contact lenses -- therefore I put my fingers in my eyes at least twice daily.

We've treated BabyK for it before. He fights so hard when we try to give him the eye drops that I doubt much of the medicine is getting into his eyes. So the infection recurrs and I don't know what to do about it. I don't think an ointment would be better because we cannot force his eyes open.

I'm washing my hands, doing laundry, washing dishes and cleaning house constantly. Laundry is done, counters and tables are wiped down with hot soapy water or antibacterial soap, and the kitchen floor is mopped daily. All sheets and towels are washed weekly - Kids sheets and towels even more frequently. Major cleaning/dusting/vacuuming/disinfecting, and cleaning is done every 2 weeks. The house is freaking spotless and always company ready despite having a toddler and nursing newborn in the house. I'm often choosing between sleeping, eating, showering, or chores -- and chores usually win out.

So, now, DrK says to me that he thinks I need to do some "extra" cleaning. WTF. I think that is quite possibly the meanest thing you can say to a post-partum woman short of "that's nothing a few sit-ups won't fix."

[poky]

Does he even HEAR himself when he says idiotic crap like this? I admire your restraint in not killing him on the spot.

[scrub-jay]

Okay... has he found the cleaning company to hire??

[MrsK]

It's amazing considering that I have to ask him to bring his dishes to the sink and put away the milk after he's had breakfast.

In fairness to him, he is giving Mx a bath right this moment (but asked me to clean her eyes and I'll probably have to brush her too). I really don't think it's the house. And the daycare implemented the proceedures we recommended. So I think it's the meds. We are not getting the pink eye fully treated when BabyK's had it because the drops are not getting into his eyes consistently.

[scrub-jay]

You could ask your ped to prescribe an oral abx for BabyK. When dd had it, she also had a developing ear infection and the abx took care of both easily. Just a thought.

[MrsK]

You could ask your ped to prescribe an oral abx for BabyK. When dd had it, she also had a developing ear infection and the abx took care of both easily. Just a thought.

I suggested that and DrK says no. I don't know why not. Seems like it would be a lot more reliable than drops.

[ladymoreta]

Wrong move, DrK. I prescribe he does the cleaning for awhile, and you rest!

I bet you're right about the medicine not getting it completely. Have they tried treating both bacterial and fungal pink eye? I haven't had fungal pink eye, but I got ringworm from an animal shelter once, and you really do have to go the full two-weeks of treatment, or it'll come back.

[Pollyanna]

Whoa, DrK must have been smoking something, that is a bus worthy statement. Call your ped and see what is recommended. When our kids were little we let them lay down and close their eyes. Then we would gently put the drop in the corner of their eye and ask them to blink, blink, blink. It really cuts down on the fighting and they get most of the meds because it rolls right into their eyes as soon as they start blinking. Good luck!

[MrsK]

Pollyanna, I've tried that technique. He won't cooperate. I think we've had it so often that he knows all our tricks now.

DrK knows he goofed. I just realized that he made our bed before he left for the gym. I must have really frightened him with my dont- ask-a-new-mom-to-do-anything-extra freak out. I've just gotten BabyK down for a nap and K2 bathed (now snoring). Time for a shower! Yippie!

[Thirteen]

Whoa, DrK must have been smoking something, that is a bus worthy statement. Call your ped and see what is recommended.

Yep, this. They really have no clue what it takes to "run the show," especially when you have an illness circulating in the house. Do what you need to do to help your family and save your sanity. Otherwise, the Bus is idling...

[SoonerTexan]

Holy cow you are doing all that and recovering from c section number two??? Dude!

[peggyfromwastate]

You don't need to apply the ointment to an open eye. You just put it along the eyelash line and they blink and get the medicine in their eye that way. The ointment is so much easier to apply- we always use it.

[v-girl]

DrK needs a shoe thrown at him. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

[BonBon]

They really have no clue what it takes to "run the show,"

AMEN!!!!! Sometimes I'm in tears because I feel I can't possibly remember every single thing that has to be done, meanwhile the dawkter only worries about work stuff. That's when I start writing down everything I do to illustrate.

Sorry he wasn't thinking before he spoke, MrsK, but glad you were able to make him see the light!! Hope the eye infections get better soon. I have no suggestions as we've only had mild pinkeye here that required no meds.

[MrsK]

... And now I've got it.