How soon is too soon to head to the doctor?

Question

My son MAY have pink eye but it’s not really “there” yet. I know some of you probably think I’m being paranoid and I’m far from a worry wart when it comes to my son. But he just seems to be very prone to pink eye or any sickness for that matter and yes, he’s in daycare full time. I know this is very common in daycares so that’s not my concern. I also can state that my daycare is immaculate and I have witnessed them wipe down and disinfect every day and bigtime clean every Friday. So cleanliness isn’t a concern for me either.

Now usually doctors won’t take your child or won’t give you any medication for your child unless they’re dripping green boogers or have a ripping fever. My son has had pink eye at least 5 times in the past 6 months and went through a time when he and my stepdaughter were passing it back and forth for a period of a month and well, life hasn’t been easy for us in the pink eye department.

This morning he woke up and his eye was watery. There was no goo, no green stuff, nada…just watery! I went to daycare to drop him off, told his teacher to please keep a close watch on his eye because he seems to be so prone to pink eye. And she said, “Actually, one of the boys in his class just found out he had pink eye”

So she said again she’d keep a close watch but I’m panicking now. Tomorrow would be my only shot in taking my son to the doctor. (Actually, they have last minute Sat hours if need be) But Monday is a holiday so everything is closed. Daycare policy is that if you have pink eye or are sent home, you need to be out for 24 hrs and need to be on antibiotics or drops before you can come back, as well as have a doctor’s note.

I’m almost positive my son has picked up pink eye but it’s just not full blown pink eye yet. I bet tonight or tomorrow morning, he’ll have crusties in his eye.

How soon is too soon to head to the doctor? Is there any sign of pink eye other than the pinkness of the eye where a doctor would help out? Is there anything you can do during this time to sort of prevent pink eye? Or is there not a darn thing I can do about it?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

It really depends on the doctor, but I would call them today and give them a heads up. Let them know that your son has been diagnosed with pink eye __ times before by them. You know what it looks like and he appears to be getting it again. You became even more positive after finding out that one of the boys at daycare has it.

Then ask if you could bring him in tomorrow and have a prescription written since you do not want him to have to wait until Tuesday for treatment.

From what I remember, Pink Eye develops pretty quickly once you get it. It might be bad enough by tomorrow that they can tell he has it. If not - some doctors would still be willing to write you a prescription if the drugs aren't too strong, if you have strong reasons to believe that your child is catching something, and if you can be trusted to actually know when something has been caught instead of jumping to conclusions at the first sign of illness.  

Answer 2

whenever you think there is a problem you should call the doctor... let them decide based on your description and his medical history if/when you should bring him in... i love annoying doctors with my many fears :)

Answer 3

Call the doctor and tell him his symptoms and let them make the call on whether you can bring him in or not. I would since you think he has pink eye and know he is prone to it buy some over the counter drops or start using the ones he used the last time he had so it won't get worst before it gets better.

Answer 4

Pink eye as you know is very very contagious

I would call the Doctor and TELL him to prescribe you the medicine

if he says no then you need to look for another Doctor

Answer 5

I would call and tell the doctor exactly what you told us. They may call in something, tell you to wait a day and see, or come right in. Either way, at least you will feel better since it is official advice. Do you have any of the drops left over from the last time he had pink eye. I would ask the doctor if you could use those and see what he says too. I would definitely ask though, not just use them.