Patient's question:
Why do babies who are half a month old always have eye discharge, and how to treat it?Doctor's answer:
Hello:Normal children, at 2 to 3 months old, may have some eye discharge in the morning. This is because eyelashes tend to grow inward during this period, and friction (stimulating) the eye produces discharge. Around the age of 1, eyelashes naturally grow outward, and the discharge gradually decreases, so there’s no need for treatment. You can clean it with a warm towel or use cotton swabs dipped in a 2% boric acid solution to gently wipe from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye.
If a child has a layer of grayish-white substance on their eyes at birth, it’s not discharge—it’s called " vernix caseosa" in medical terms. This substance, known as vernix, protects the skin and prevents heat loss and can be absorbed on its own. Therefore, it shouldn’t be wiped away.
Another reason for excessive eye discharge is internal heat, often referred to as "fever." This is usually caused by a diet high in fish, shrimp, meat, and other calorie-rich foods, with fewer fruits and vegetables. In addition to eye discharge, symptoms may include sensitivity to heat, easy sweating, dry stools, and thick tongue coating. The best treatment is to adjust the diet, drink more water, and take some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that clears heat and promotes digestion if necessary.
If a child suddenly has a lot of eye discharge and also experiences eye irritation, redness, or itching, they should see a doctor to check for "pink eye." In addition to using chloramphenicol eye drops and erythromycin ointment locally, personal hygiene must be emphasized. Remind the child not to rub their eyes with dirty hands, and avoid sharing face bowls or towels with others to prevent cross-infection.