Child has a fever, excessive eye discharge, and red eyes: What's the cause and what should be done?

Dec 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Children with fever, excessive eye discharge, and red eyes may be caused by lack of sleep, poor nutrition, conjunctivitis, keratitis, dacryocystitis, or other conditions. Treatment may include general care and medication under the guidance of a doctor. It is important to maintain good eye hygiene by regularly cleaning the eye area with warm water, avoiding rubbing the eyes with hands, and reducing the risk of eye infections.

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature, while "eye discharge" refers to secretions from the eye. Fever, excessive eye discharge, and red eyes in children may be caused by lack of sleep, dietary imbalance, conjunctivitis, keratitis, dacryocystitis, or other similar conditions. Treatment options include general care and medication, under the guidance of a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation can cause eye fatigue, resulting in redness, dryness, and reduced tear production. However, eye discharge may increase due to tear concentration. Additionally, it may disrupt the function of the body's temperature regulation center, causing low-grade fever. Ensure children have sufficient sleep and establish healthy sleeping habits, avoiding staying up late.

2. Dietary Imbalance

An unbalanced diet may lead to deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin A, which can affect eye health, causing dryness and redness. Vitamin A deficiency can also affect tear production, leading to increased eye discharge. Furthermore, it may impair immune function, potentially causing fever. Maintain a balanced diet and consume more foods rich in vitamin A, such as carrots and spinach.

3. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or chlamydia. It may cause conjunctival congestion and swelling, accompanied by excessive discharge and possibly low-grade fever. Symptoms may include foreign body sensation and itching in the eyes. Under medical guidance, medications such as tobramycin eye drops, acyclovir eye drops, or emedastine fumarate eye drops may be used for treatment.

4. Keratitis

Keratitis may be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or trauma. Inflammation may damage the corneal tissue, causing congestion, swelling, eye discharge, and possibly fever. Symptoms may include blurred vision and photophobia. Patients may use ofloxacin eye drops, ganciclovir ophthalmic gel, or natamycin eye drops as directed by a physician.

5. Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is usually caused by blocked tear ducts or bacterial infection, which prevents tears from draining normally, allowing bacteria to multiply in the lacrimal sac and cause inflammation. This may lead to red eyes, increased discharge, and possibly fever. Symptoms may also include tenderness in the lacrimal sac area and excessive tearing. Patients may use pranoprofen eye drops, chloramphenicol eye drops, or gatifloxacin eye drops as recommended by a physician.

Maintain good eye hygiene by regularly cleaning the eye area with warm water. Avoid rubbing the eyes to reduce the risk of eye infections.

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What methods can quickly reduce fever in children?

In general, a child's fever may be caused by factors such as excessive environmental temperature leading to insufficient heat dissipation, immune response after vaccination, upper respiratory tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, or bacterial pneumonia. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through physical cooling methods, medication, and other treatments under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, it is important to ensure the child's daily diet is light and easily digestible, avoiding oily and spicy foods.

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At what temperature will a child experience convulsions due to fever?

In general, there is no fixed temperature threshold at which a child will experience seizures during fever. Most often, seizures occur when body temperature rapidly rises above 38.5°C. However, some children may experience seizures even if their temperature does not reach 38.5°C. This primarily relates to individual physical condition and the speed at which body temperature rises. When a child has a fever, parents should closely monitor temperature changes and administer antipyretic medication promptly if the temperature exceeds 38.5°C.

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Which areas should be massaged to reduce fever in children?

Fever, also known as pyrexia, can be accompanied by massage therapy to assist in reducing body temperature in children. However, the appropriateness of massage should be considered based on individual circumstances. Commonly used acupoints for fever reduction include clearing the heavenly river water (Qing Tian He Shui), pushing the Kan Palace (Tui Kan Gong), rubbing the Taiyang point, clearing the lung meridian (Qing Fei Jing), and pressing and rubbing the Hegu point. Proper techniques may help alleviate symptoms of fever. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance.

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How to handle a child's fever of 38°C