Why might a child have swollen eyes? It is important to choose the right treatment based on the reasons

The younger the child, the more often he experiences such a symptom as swelling of the upper or lower eyelid . Regardless of the reasons, such a disorder always looks very noticeable, since in children, due to their physiological characteristics, swelling is more pronounced.

Typically, this phenomenon is often observed in the morning after sleep and this swelling should not cause cause for concern.

But it is worth paying attention to the accompanying symptoms and the time during which the swelling does not go away.
Attention! Perhaps this is a sign of some kind of disease, which may not necessarily relate to ophthalmology, but also extends to internal organs.

Symptoms of swelling of the eyes and eyelids in a child

If eye swelling is pathological , in addition to this symptom itself, additional symptoms will be present

• the appearance of purulent discharge from the eyes ;
• increased lacrimation;
• development of seals in the tissues of the eyelids ;
• possible increase in body temperature.

If such symptoms appear, it is not recommended to self-medicate and use medications without first consulting a doctor.

It is necessary to visit a pediatrician and ophthalmologist , who will help determine the cause of the development of swelling and formulate a course of treatment.

Associated symptoms

Deterioration of the condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• hot nose;
• temperature increase;
• apathy;
• weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• sometimes blood comes from the nose;
• a sharp decrease in body weight;
• ulcerations, skin rash;
• purulent discharge from the eyes, nasal passages;
• breathing is accompanied by whistling, wheezing;
• cough;
• gagging;
• diarrhea.

These signs indicate the development of a serious illness. Immediate veterinary assistance is needed.

Causes of pathology

Keep in mind! There are dozens of reasons why children's eyelids swell, and not all of these reasons indicate ophthalmological diseases.

Among the pathological causes, the most common diseases and disorders can be identified:

• helminthic infestations;
• purulent or membranous conjunctivitis;
• subcutaneous emphysema;
• endophthalmitis;
• keratitis;
• iridocyclitis;
• hypothyroidism;
• abscess of the eyelid;
• demodicosis

In addition to these and other ophthalmological diseases, swelling can serve as an indirect confirmation of diseases such as acute respiratory infections, ARVI, sore throat, influenza, allergic reactions, vegetative-vascular dystonia, increased intracranial pressure, hormonal disorders .
It is worth distinguishing these causes from non-pathological ones , for which medical attention is not required.
These include swelling that occurs due to an awkward position of the head during sleep, prolonged exposure to sunlight, long-term use of antibiotics and congenital anatomical disorders of the eyelids.

Separately, it is worth highlighting injuries to the organs of vision , which can cause severe swelling.

How to wipe pus from a cat's eyes at home

If you can’t see a veterinarian urgently, you can try to wash your pet’s eyes at home, easing the symptoms. For these purposes, folk remedies are used to relieve inflammation, relieve itching and remove pus:

• Infusion of chamomile. Prepare an infusion at home. Take dried chamomile flowers - 1 tbsp. l and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 15 minutes. Gently wipe the affected area with a cotton pad soaked in the infusion.
• Brewing strong tea. Infuse 2 sachets or 1 tbsp in 200 ml of boiling water. l black tea. Let it brew for 15 minutes and moisten a cotton pad with the resulting infusion, squeeze it lightly and wipe the corners of the eyes from the accumulated exudate.
• Saline solution. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 500 ml of hot water. Next, the solution is cooled to a comfortable temperature, a gauze (recommended) or cotton swab is moistened and the animal’s eyes are cleaned.

Swelling of the upper and lower eyelids

In general, the causes and signs of swelling of the upper and lower eyelids are the same , but there are several reasons why the skin swells above or below the eye.

It is worth noting! A swollen upper eyelid may indicate the following disorders:

• accumulation in the subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• general or chronic pathologies of the kidneys or heart;
• manifestation of allergic reactions;
• oncological formations.

By the swelling of the lower eyelid one can judge the presence of non-inflammatory pathologies.

If such a symptom most often occurs in the morning, it is worth checking the child for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and thyroid gland.

A kitten's eyes are festering - prevention

Prevention is of great importance. Very often, cat owners are to blame for the fact that their pets suffer from conjunctivitis. The following rules must be followed to protect your cat from eye infections.

A kitten's eyes are festering - prevention:

• Pet your cat after washing your hands after visiting the street or toilet.
• Do not allow your pet to come into contact with stray animals. Visit your doctor regularly and get tested.
• Do not forget to give your animal vaccinations and also give anthelmintics twice a year. Very often the cause of suppuration is parasites.
• Bathe your animals with flea shampoo. Some pets may have an allergy to flea bites, which results in watery eyes.
• Keep chemicals and detergents used for cleaning the apartment away from the animal. Very often the cause of suppuration and inflammation of the eyes is contact with washing powder or dishwashing detergent.
• Introduce new food gradually, increasing the amount in the diet. Often, when introducing a new food, a pet may experience an allergy.

Kitty

Swelling accompanied by fever

Sometimes swelling of the eyelids is accompanied by other clearly visible symptoms.
One of which is a slight or significant increase in body temperature .

If at the same time the child notices increased lacrimation, urination problems and headaches, the cause may be one of the following ailments :

• heart pathologies (in this case, swelling appears more in the evening than in the morning);
• renal dysfunction;
• diseases of the lymphatic and venous system;
• sinusitis;
• rhinitis;
• sinusitis;
• liver diseases;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• one of the types of allergic reactions, including angioedema.

Remember! Also, with such a symptom, there is a possibility of serious diseases in which intracranial pressure increases.

First aid

call an ambulance immediately . Doctors may decide on emergency hospitalization if the patient has difficulty breathing, a swollen tongue, or symptoms indicating intestinal damage.

What to do before the doctors arrive?

First aid, which should be provided at the first symptoms of angioedema in children, involves clearing the airways, checking breathing intensity, heart rate, and blood pressure. Sometimes it is necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, so after the first case, parents are recommended to take first aid courses. At the final stage, medications should be administered to the child.

First aid equipment includes:

• glucocorticosteroids (“Prednisolone”, “Dexamethasone”);
• antihistamines;
• adrenalin.

Sequence of administration: adrenaline, then glucocorticosteroid, then antihistamine. If the reaction is moderate, then adrenaline is excluded.

Important! In case of swelling of the larynx, a tracheostomy is performed urgently.

Treatment depending on the causes

The swelling itself can often be relieved using folk remedies or improvised means , but doing this without consulting a doctor is not recommended.
Firstly, if the root cause is not eliminated, such swelling will still appear again .

Secondly, in relation to children, traditional medicine methods are generally recommended to be used only in extreme cases, since unpredictable reactions of the body to some of the drugs used are possible.

You should know! According to statistics, eyelid swelling in children most often occurs as an allergic reaction, regardless of whether the allergen is food ingredients or plant pollen.

In such cases, antihistamines in the form of drops and ointments are prescribed individually: oratadine, lecrolin, opatanol and others.

If swelling is caused by pathological inflammatory processes in the tissues of the eye, after examination, decongestant, antibacterial and soothing ointments and drops for topical use are prescribed.

also
sometimes recommended to use vasoconstrictors .
In any other cases and in case of diseases of internal organs that provoke the development of swelling, you must first undergo an examination and determine the cause of the disorder.

Correct diagnosis and treatment of possible diseases

The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the correctness of the diagnosis. To identify pathology, it is important that the owner is able to determine why the pet developed unpleasant symptoms.

The more information the pet owner provides, the faster a diagnosis will be made.

What to look for when making a diagnosis

Even before visiting a doctor, you can assume a diagnosis based on your observations. This will significantly narrow the list of suspected diseases.

If sneezing is rare, but at the same time there is profuse lacrimation, and mucus is flowing, the eyes are swollen and breathing is difficult, then an allergy is presumably to blame.

When general symptoms are combined with fever, swollen tonsils and green mucus, we can conclude that there is an infection. If sneezing is accompanied by bad breath, your pet may have dental problems.

Be sure to read:

The cat has a stuffy nose: reasons, how to treat it, is it possible to use nasal drops, what will happen if the runny nose is not treated

What to do if a kitten sneezes and its eyes fester?

In case of purulent exudate, it is recommended to wash the pet’s eyes with a weak solution of boric acid or furatsilin 3 times a day.

As part of complex therapy, the antibiotics Maxidin and Fosprenil are used to reduce the inflammatory process, as well as the drugs Gamavit and Baksin, which strengthen the immune system.

What to do if your kitten starts sneezing frequently and has watery eyes

Watery eyes appear with colds and allergies. In the first case, it is enough to wash your eyes three times a day with furatsilin, instill drops for a runny nose and provide complete rest to your pet. And in the second case, contact with the allergen should be prevented and antihistamines should be used.

In what cases is a visit to the veterinarian necessary?

If the discomfort is caused by a virus, then it is difficult to cope with the pathology on your own. Any delay can be dangerous for the pet's life.

Signs when you should not put off a visit to the veterinarian:

• severe swelling of the oral mucosa, impairing breathing;
• bleeding;
• fever against a background of general apathy and loss of strength;
• copious discharge of pus from the eyes and ears;
• wheezing and whistling when inhaling and exhaling;
• digestive disorders, making it impossible to eat.

You should also visit a veterinarian if the cat was picked up from the street and needs vaccinations.

Treatment of cats

Once on the nasal mucosa, the virus penetrates the cells of the body, causing the cells to die. This is how inflammation begins. Also, general deterioration and fever are caused by viruses that have entered the bloodstream.

For the successful recovery of your furry pet, comprehensive treatment and proper care are necessary. The veterinarian will prescribe treatment based on the general condition of the patient. Experts do not recommend taking various medications on your own. This can only worsen the patient's condition.

In addition to taking special medications, the following recommendations will be useful:

• Isolation of a sick animal from healthy ones;
• Mandatory disinfection of the place where the sick pet lies;
• Drink warmly and avoid hypothermia;
• Cleaning the nose and eyes with antiseptics daily;
• If you refuse to eat, you need to force-feed the patient to avoid liver lipidosis (accumulation of fat);
• Gentle, liquid food: fish, meat, cereals and milk;
• The use of vitamin preparations, for example: Gamavit;
• Use of immunostimulating drugs: Imunofan, Fosprenil, Salmozan;
• Complex therapy includes the use of antiviral drugs: Acyclovir, Lysine, Gamapren;
• Antibiotics should be used if there is a manifestation of secondary infections, for example: Flemoxin, Sumamed, Cefazolin.

If you treat your cat correctly and follow all the recommendations of a professional, the animal’s condition will improve in 8-10 days.

The disease rhinotracheitis leads to a decrease in immunity. This leads to various negative consequences:

• The chronic stage is dangerous for the development of pneumonia, intestinal atony, damage to the nervous system, subsequent exacerbations of the disease, and the development of secondary infections;
• An advanced form of the disease can lead to damage to the eyeballs so that they have to be removed;
• In particularly severe cases, the disease leads to the death of the animal. Most of all, this threatens kittens and young individuals due to weak immunity;
• More than 80% of animals remain carriers of the infection after recovery.

Thus, a cat that has had rhinotracheitis is a source of infection for its kittens. The virus infects the animal's uterus. Therefore, miscarriages, various pathologies and deformities in newborns most often occur with infected cats. The virus is excreted in feces and urine for quite a long time, for 1.5 years.

When should a sick person see a doctor?

A healthy body can and should overcome a mild ARVI that occurs without serious symptoms in 5–7 days. If within a week the symptoms do not go away or even worsen, we can almost certainly talk about a complication of a seemingly unimportant disease.

The patient may experience symptoms of laryngitis or pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, signs of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses - sinusitis or sinusitis, otitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and even pneumonia. In this case, even if the temperature has not risen, you should definitely contact either your family doctor or a good ENT doctor in Moscow.

Doctors include dangerous symptoms:

• difficulty or increased breathing;
• the appearance of wheezing;
• long lasting cough;
• chest pain;
• significant increase in temperature;
• severe pain in the forehead;
• fainting state;
• confused consciousness, inability to navigate in space;
• severe vomiting.