Possible pink eye problem. Need help ASAP so whole family doesn't get it!?

Question

Okay, I know i should go to the Dr. but i have no insurance so i was going to see if ya'll could help me first. One of my eyes is very pink and has green eye gunk coming out non stop. I know gross right. I really dont want this spreading to my 2 yr old or husband.

I have some gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment usp, 0.3% Left over from when my daughter had an eye infection last spring. Its in a tube and greasy. Will that get rid of it? Any other tips?

Answer 1

Call the pharmacist right away. Tell them your situation. I would use the ointment, but that's me. That is what you need. But, tell the pharmacist about this ointment. They may have something reasonable to help you.  

Answer 2

you can purchase over the counter pink eye medication now and you can also contact the pharmacist at the drugstore they will give you information needed.

Answer 3

Yes, it is probably still good.  Washing your hands is the best way to prevent spread of pink eye.  If you rub you nose and then touch your eye (as to rub it) you can very easily spread pink eye to yourself.  It is caused by the same germs that cause a cold.  Make sure you use something like Clorox Clean UP on your counters, use paper towels instead of cloth towels to dry your hands, spray door k***s and other things that everyone touches often with disinfectent spray.  But the biggest things is have everyone use plenty of soap and hot water to wash their hands and do it often.  A quick rinse with no soap is no good.  Take time to lather up and rinse well...

Answer 4

you should probably not use the leftover product, could be expired and there is risk for cross contamination of the eye. Simalison makes an over the counter product for pink eye that is quite good. Diligent handwashing is the most important thing you can do to prevent spreading of pink eye.

Answer 5

Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent spreading pink eye.  I don't think that using your daughter's ointment is a good idea.

Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, can show up when you least expect it, and it is very contagious. There is more than one type of pink eye, and how you treat it depends on the type. If it is bacterial you need antibiotic ointment or drops. There is no particular treatment for viral pink eye. If it is an allergy that is causing your difficulty you may need anti-inflammatory medication or antihistamines. Frequent hand washing is crucial to prevent spreading the virus or bacteria, depending on which type you have.   There is also something called CLARE, or contact lens induced acute red eye. Sleeping in contacts makes the eye more susceptible to inflammation/infection.

These links give basic information about pink eye.

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/07/08...

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/...

http://www.medicinenet.com/pink_eye/arti...