Painful Conjunctivitis in Babies – Pink Eye In A Newborn

Conjunctivitis in babies is a common condition that causes redness and swelling of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (conjunctiva). Conjunctivitis or pink eye can occur in one or both eyes. Sometimes, it starts in one eye and then spreads to the other.

Pink eye is most common in babies older than three months. Older babies are likely to touch their eyes frequently and are therefore more likely to catch the infection.

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye in a newborn, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. The inflammation can affect one or both eyes. Pink eye symptoms in a newborn include redness, discharge, itching, and a burning sensation in one or both of the newborn’s eyes.

Viral or bacterial infections are the most common causes of conjunctivitis in infants. It can also be caused by allergies or irritants. Viral pink eye conjunctivitis might clear up on its own within a couple of weeks without treatment; if you notice red eye or eye redness in your baby, however, you should consult a doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.

If your baby is less than four weeks old, the condition is known as neonatal conjunctivitis and requires medical treatment.

How serious is conjunctivitis in a newborn?

Conjunctivitis in a newborn can be serious if left untreated. How serious it is depends on the cause. Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases in the mother can cause sight problems in one or both eyes, and pneumonia, if left untreated, so it’s crucial to seek early diagnosis and treatment from your baby’s doctor.

Causes of conjunctivitis in an infant

There are various potential causes of conjunctivitis in a baby (bacterial, viral or chemical). Treatment options differ, depending on the cause, so it’s important to seek a proper medical diagnosis.

What are the types of conjunctivitis commonly experienced?

• Chlamydial conjunctivitis
  A common cause of chlamydial conjunctivitis is untreated chlamydia in the mother during pregnancy. The bacteria can pass to the baby during childbirth. Symptoms usually appear within 5 to 12 days of life; however, they can develop earlier.
• Gonococcal conjunctivitis
  Untreated maternal gonorrhoea during pregnancy can also result in bacteria being passed to the baby during the birth. Symptoms of gonococcal conjunctivitis usually appear within the first 2 to 5 days after birth.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  Both chlamydial and gonococcal conjunctivitis are examples of bacterial infections that can cause pink eye. There are other bacterial forms, such as: Staphylococcus (Staph); Streptococcus (Strep); and Klebsiella; These conditions can cause inflammation, irritation and pink eye. Any bacterial pink eye will require antibiotic treatment to clear up the infection.
• Viral conjunctivitis
  Viral conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to the herpetic keratoconjunctivitis virus (HSV). Antibiotics and artificial tears eye drops can be used to provide relief and lubricate the eye, but won’t help with viral pink eye. The infection can be expected to clear up within a couple of weeks. Make sure you get a proper diagnosis from your doctor, to identify the specific viral infections.
• Chemical conjunctivitis
  Exposure to certain chemicals, such as antibiotic eye drops used to prevent bacterial infection or pool chlorine, can irritate your baby’s eyes and cause allergic conjunctivitis. Symptoms of conjunctivitis pink eye will only last a day or two, as the reaction usually disappears once the irritant is removed. Using a warm compress might help to relieve the irritation or swelling.

What are the differences between bacteria, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis?

As the name suggests, bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria. Bacterial pink eye usually requires treatment, such as prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointments. Viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is caused by a virus and will clear up with or without treatment. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are infectious, meaning you’ll need to take precautions to stop the infection as it is easily spread to other members of your household.

Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and is caused by allergens, such as pollen, inflammation or dust mites. Reducing exposure to the allergens should help, and antihistamines might help to reduce symptoms of pink eye. Irritation conjunctivitis can occur after exposure to certain chemicals, including household chemicals or smoke, and usually clears up once the irritant is removed.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis in a newborn

The symptoms can last anywhere from two days to three weeks. As soon as you notice symptoms, make an appointment to see your baby’s medical practitioner for a diagnosis. If your baby is younger than four weeks old, ask for an urgent appointment.

Common pink eye conjunctivitis symptoms in a newborn are:

1. Eye redness (red eye)
2. Swelling of the eye and eyelids
3. Itchiness
4. Watery eyes
5. Sticky discharge from the eye
6. Sticky coating on eyelashes
7. Eyelids stuck together upon waking
8. Irritability.

Newborn babies can’t tell you whether their eyes are feeling itchy or sore, so you’ll have to look for symptoms you can see, such as red eye (redness) or some eye discharge.

How does pink eye start?

Pink eye symptoms usually start after exposure to bacteria, infection, allergen or irritant. Your baby might have come into contact with bacteria, a virus, or something that has irritated the eye. It’s not always possible to identify the cause of conjunctivitis by looking at the eye, so it’s crucial to take your baby to the doctor for a medical diagnosis. Bacterial pink eye requires treatment, whereas viral pink eye will clear up by itself, so it’s essential to get a diagnosis.

What does early stage conjunctivitis look like?

Many new parents wonder, ‘What are the first signs of conjunctivitis?’. The early signs of pink eye are generally bloodshot eyes, with the eye watery and swollen. You might notice your baby is more irritable than normal, which could be due to the discomfort in the eyes.

As the infection progresses, you will notice eye discharge. After periods of sleep, your baby’s eyelashes might be stuck together with crusted discharge. You might need to rinse the eyelids gently with warm water and cotton wool to unstick them. Use water that has been boiled and left to cool until it is a safe temperature for your baby’s skin.

What to do when my baby has conjunctivitis?

Babies with symptoms of conjunctivitis should be taken to see their doctor to determine the cause and best course of treatment. In babies under four weeks old, pink eye symptoms can be a sign of serious infections or other bacteria. A doctor is best able to diagnose the cause and recommend treatment options immediately.

Treatment of conjunctivitis in a baby

Treatment depends on the cause of conjunctivitis. If you’ve wondered, ‘How can I tell my baby has pink eye conjunctivitis?’ and you’ve been to the doctor for a diagnosis, the treatment options will be explained to you. If your baby is under four weeks old, make sure you seek an urgent appointment to protect your baby from potential side effects.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  If bacterial infection caused your baby’s pink eye symptoms, your doctor will want to assess which bacteria are to blame. In very young babies, bacterial pink eye caused by serious infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea need to be treated immediately. Bacterial conjunctivitis requires antibiotic treatment, such as antibiotic eye drops or ointment, to treat the symptoms and fight the infection. Oral or IV antibiotics might be required to treat more serious infections.
• Viral conjunctivitis
  If your doctor diagnoses a case of viral pink eye conjunctivitis, it might clear up by itself over the next couple of weeks.
• Irritant conjunctivitis
  If your baby’s pink eye symptoms were caused by exposure to an irritant, such as antibiotic eyedrops or chemicals, treatment isn’t usually required. This type of irritation will usually clear up by itself in a day or two.
• Allergic conjunctivitis
  If your doctor thinks allergens are to blame for your baby’s eye discharge, you’ll be advised on how to limit your baby’s exposure to allergens.
• Blocked tear duct
  If your baby’s pink eye conjunctivitis is caused by a blocked tear duct, your doctor will show you how to massage gently the area between the eyes and the nasal area, to release the blockage and reduce swelling.

Managing conjunctivitis at home

Conjunctivitis can usually be managed effectively from home. In some cases, though, antibiotics might be necessary. Conjunctivitis can be serious in very young babies, so it’s crucial to seek medical help to ensure an accurate diagnosis before attempting to manage the condition yourself.

How to bathe a baby’s eyes

If babies’ eyelids are crusted together and there is swelling when they wake up, gently bathe their eyelids to loosen the crust.

Here’s how:

1. Boil the kettle and leave the boiled water to cool until it is a safe temperature for your baby’s skin
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before you start
3. Use the cooled water and cotton wool to gently remove any crusted discharge from your baby’s eyelids. Start at the centre of the eye and work outwards
4. Use a separate piece of cotton wool for each eye, to prevent spreading pink eye
5. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.

How to use eye drops for your baby

Although you can get over the counter remedies for conjunctivitis, most of them are not suitable for young babies. At what age can babies have eye drops for conjunctivitis? You will need a prescription for eyedrops from your doctor, as most pharmacists are unable to offer medical advice for children younger than two years old.

If your doctor has prescribed some eye drops to help your newborn’s eye, you will need to:

1. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions on the packet, to make sure you give the correct dosage
2. Either swaddle your baby or ask your partner to help
3. Wash your hands thoroughly before you begin
4. Lay your baby down on her back
5. Gently pull the lower eyelid down to open the eye
6. Without touching the eye with the bottle or with your fingers, insert a drop in the inner corner of your baby’s eye
7. Release your baby’s lower eyelid to allow the medication to soak in
8. Wipe away any excess from your baby’s cheek
9. Wash your hands. Let out a sigh of relief; you managed it.

Does breast milk help relieve conjunctivitis a in baby?

The first thing to do when your baby has conjunctivitis symptoms is to visit your doctor, who will be able to diagnose pink eye and the cause. Your baby’s eye infection might require antibiotic treatment, so make sure you ask the paediatrician for advice.

If your doctor indicates that the viral infection is to blame for your baby’s symptoms of pink eye, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to use breast milk to relieve symptoms. A 2025 study published in Acta Paediatrica found that breast milk was as effective as ophthalmic solution eyedrops in reducing eye discharge and swelling.

How long will pink eye conjunctivitis last?

Pink eye generally lasts between one and two weeks in a baby. It can, however last up to three weeks. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotic treatment for bacterial causes of pink eye, you might find the eye infection clears up faster.

Conjunctivitis and day care

There is no need to keep your child home from day care because of conjunctivitis pink eye. Children who are feeling well can attend as normal. It is crucial, however, to tell the day care centre staff about your child’s infection so they can take extra precautions to stop the infection from spreading.

Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Yes, infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious. If it is pink eye caused by a viral or bacterial infection, you will need to practise good hygiene and take steps to protect the rest of your household from infection.

Not all forms of conjunctivitis are contagious. If the irritation is caused by an allergic reaction or an irritant, it’s not contagious, and you don’t need to worry about it spreading.

Can I stop it spreading to my family?

Infectious conjunctivitis is easily spread, but you can prevent pink eye spreading further by following good family hygiene.

Things to do:

1. Have all family members wash their hands before and after handling the baby. Be particularly mindful of small children who might hug your baby and end up in close contact with any discharge from your baby’s eyes. Direct contact with the discharge can spread pink eye
2. Make sure the whole family washes hands regularly throughout the day. Young children touch their eyes a lot, so regular hand washing can lower the risk of transmission. Make sure unwashed hands don’t go anywhere near your baby
3. Use antibacterial cleaning spray on household surfaces and door handles to reduce the risk of pink eye spreading
4. Allocate a towel for the baby and make sure nobody else uses it. Give everybody separate hand towels and flannels to reduce the risk of transmission. Wash towels, pillow cases and bedding at a high temperature setting.

When to take a baby to the doctor with conjunctivitis

Babies are vulnerable and can’t explain their symptoms, so it’s worth taking your baby for a consultation with your doctor each time you notice a worrying symptom. If you notice symptoms of pink eye in your newborn, make an appointment to see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment advice.

You should contact your doctor if:

• Your baby has a fever or an earache
• Your baby’s eyes are stuck together in the morning
• The area surrounding your baby’s eyes is red
• There has been trauma to the eye.

You should ask for an urgent appointment if:

• Your newborn baby is showing signs of conjunctivitis pink eye.

How to prevent conjunctivitis or pink eye

Your child will probably develop pink eye at some point, but there are steps you can take to avoid it. Practising good hygiene, washing hands before and after touching eyes, and using clean towels daily can help reduce the risk of catching pink eye. Teach your children from a young age not to mess with their eyes and to wash their hands frequently. These steps might prevent pink eye or, if somebody catches it, might stop it from spreading.

Recommended Reading:

Newborn Sticky Eye | What Should We Know?

Newborn Eye Discharge | Should l Be Concerned By The Colour?