melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912 
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Post by melissa on Aug 17, 2014 22:05:33 GMT
No. Call your physican. There is someone on call who will guide you about what to do in your situation. Most cases of pink eye are actually viral and will go away without any medication whatsoever. Waiting until Monday would do no harm if it is actually pink eye. Even before anyone goes to the ER, unless it is truly emergent like a heart attack or loss of consciousness or bleedng profusely, should call their physician even if it is en route. You may find out that you can actually be seen faster elsewhere, that maybe the office is open when it isn't advertised to be open). My pediatrician had hours that were only filled with sick visits. Nothing done more in advance than a day or two. The office was listed as closed during those hours, but they were not. As an ob, there were times when we would bring a patient into the office instead of the hospital when the office was allegedly closed as well. When I had an orthopedic urgent visit, I called my internist who brought me into the office immediately and got me an appointment that day in an orthopedist's office where the xrays were done on the spot. No ER visit. Just a few examples.  |
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Post by Megan on Aug 17, 2014 22:09:30 GMT
Get the OTC drops for today and google for all the other home remedies. Don't go to the ER.
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Post by rumplesnat on Aug 17, 2014 22:13:24 GMT
I wouldn't go to the ER, but I would call my doctor's answering service to let them know about it and he would then likely call us in a prescription for drops.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 17, 2014 22:13:53 GMT
I say wait until tomorrow and see your doctor. You will not be a priority at the ER and get bumped for hours as more urgent cases flow in. I've found the local pharmacist is a terrific resource for OTC solutions.
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Post by ScrappyLin on Aug 17, 2014 22:19:22 GMT
Definitely wait until morning. A number of years ago one of my daughters got it while we were on vacation . A pharmacist recommended the over the counter medicine that another poster mentioned. It worked like a charm. I hope your son feels better soon.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 14:39:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 22:29:53 GMT
I honestly can't believe it would cross anyone's mind to go to the ER for pinkeye.
It's the EMERGENCY room, not the ANNOYING & UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION room.
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Post by twoboyzmom on Aug 17, 2014 22:32:29 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Even the snarky ones. Got him some drops for now and will take him to Dr first thing
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Post by sues on Aug 17, 2014 22:36:25 GMT
Please wait until tomorrow.
I can't tell you how many times I've waited in the ER - doubled over in pain and puking due to kidney stones, behind a half dozen people who really just needed to see their regular doctor. At least here, unless you come in an ambulance, are bleeding out, or pass out- you wait in order of appearance, to see a dr. People that go in with non-emergencies are keeping people with real emergencies from getting pain meds, getting stitched up, getting diagnosed.
It really sucks to be sitting there in so much pain you'd welcome being struck by lightning, just for some relief - listening to the person in front of you talking on their cell phone about how they have a scratchy throat and don't want to wait to make a dr. appt.
Pink eye is uncomfortable, but it's not an emergency.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 17, 2014 23:25:13 GMT
I really dislike that people use the ER for doctor visits (that doesn't seem to be the case here, now). I've known people who don't want to pay for a visit at an Urgent Care or the clinics in drug/grocery stores, so they wait and then go to the ER. Then they do the forms that say that they can't pay for it and the hospital "forgives" the cost because of lack or income or something. Or the ones that use medicaid to go to the ER when it isn't an emergency. Medicaid may make the visit free for the person using it, but shit like that cause the amount of money the government sends to medicaid go up and thus ends up costing ME.
Before anybody jumps on me, I think that medicaid has its place and I am glad it is there. I do think there should be restrictions though.
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Post by ceepea on Aug 17, 2014 23:54:13 GMT
Just for future reference- acute conjunctivitis icd-9 diagnosis code 034.-is on the no pay list for Medicaid in my state, Florida.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 18, 2014 0:00:31 GMT
Just for future reference- acute conjunctivitis icd-9 diagnosis code 034.-is on the no pay list for Medicaid in my state, Florida. Out of curiosity, how would someone with medicaid know what is paid and what is not? |
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Post by Freefallfast on Aug 18, 2014 0:55:45 GMT
My eyes itch whenever someone mentions pink eye!! Good luck tonight.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Aug 18, 2014 0:56:05 GMT
I honestly can't believe it would cross anyone's mind to go to the ER for pinkeye. It's the EMERGENCY room, not the ANNOYING & UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION room. Ha ha! You nailed it. But posts like hers are partially why I come here. You get to read the shit that you never thought would cross someone's mind. |
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Post by twoboyzmom on Aug 18, 2014 1:04:39 GMT
Well I did post that we decided against going. But I guess people who want to be rude and snarky don't bother reading those. You've never done something stupid or silly or over reacted before? Amazing
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 18, 2014 1:04:58 GMT
I honestly can't believe it would cross anyone's mind to go to the ER for pinkeye. It's the EMERGENCY room, not the ANNOYING & UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION room. Ha ha! You nailed it. But posts like hers are partially why I come here. You get to read the shit that you never thought would cross someone's mind. If you or your child had never had pink eye, it is concerning and it isn't over the top to want to give your child relief. Coming here and asking or researching on the internet or calling a family member sounds like a decent way to go about it. |
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Post by elaine on Aug 18, 2014 1:09:36 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Even the snarky ones. Got him some drops for now and will take him to Dr first thing Sounds like you have it under control! It is is nice to know that CVS Minute Clinics appear to take Medicaid if something like this pops up in the future, so that is an option. I hope that your son's eyes clear up soon. |
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Post by gryroagain on Aug 18, 2014 1:20:07 GMT
We don't even go to the dr for pink eye- it always clears up on it's own. My kids are home schooled though, so it's helpful they don't have to go to school (spreading it a concern if it's that type). It is an annoying pain to have, but not painful or anything, or even really catching if you are good about hand washing, so we just wait it out. One of the er criteria I've seen is "loss of eyesight" but while it is your eyes, it doesn't hurt them.
No need to jump on her guys, if you haven't ever had pink eye, seeing your kid with red, crusty, weepy eyes is sort of scary probably.
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Post by melanell on Aug 18, 2014 1:45:38 GMT
Just for future reference- acute conjunctivitis icd-9 diagnosis code 034.-is on the no pay list for Medicaid in my state, Florida. Out of curiosity, how would someone with medicaid know what is paid and what is not? I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that people who work in the field of medical insurance or in doctor's offices would likely know it. And any of those people might tell the person with Medicaid if it is paid or not. |
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Post by houston249 on Aug 18, 2014 2:01:53 GMT
No er.
Google pink eye and triple antobiotic ointment. If you go this route and assuming your son is not allergic to triple antibiotic ointment. Do NOT put it in your eye. Just lightly moisturize the eyelid and the surrounding areas. Contact your dr in the morning.
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Post by ceepea on Aug 18, 2014 2:04:37 GMT
I work in the insurance field and you can call the Medicaid office, not sure if they will tell you the codes though. We don't give the codes out because someone could think they have pink eye, look up the code, call in and be told no it is not covered; meanwhile they have a more serious eye infection and should have sought help.
I think this is the perfect place to ask this kind of question. You will get a lot of good advice and be able to make a reasonable decision on whether or not to go to the er.
Hope your child feels better soon! |
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Post by mcscrapper on Aug 18, 2014 2:31:13 GMT
ER / trauma nurse here. This is definitely not a medical emergency. Seriously. Unless his eye is popping out of his head, this is not an emergency. Not really "urgent" either. This is definitely something that can wait for an appointment tomorrow.
The ER is for a true medical, life-threatening emergency - stroke symptoms, "real" chest pain, stabbing, GSW, broken bones, asthma attack / SOB, lacerations... Pink eye is not an emergency. When non-emergencies clog up the ER it is definitely taking a bed and resources away from someone who really needs to be on a bed.
Try a warm compress / cold compress to the eye. The coolness will soothe the eye and reduce some swelling. You can also take some Tylenol / Advil and OTC eye drops for pain and irritation.
meredith
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 18, 2014 2:45:10 GMT
It very likely is viral.
If you are very concerned, call your PCP. It can certainly wait until tomorrow.
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Post by Jockscrap on Aug 18, 2014 6:26:49 GMT
Just to add to at least one other person's post, pink eye can have a variety of causes -
irritation from a foreign body, viral, bacterial, allergy, rare serious disease.
A foreign body in the eye, eg, a bit of grass or grit needs removed or it can scratch the cornea. Often an eye bath will do this.
Viral pink eye often affects both eyes and is accompanied by other viral infection like cold symptoms. The eyes are usually watery with a clear, stringy discharge. Time heals this.
Bacterial pink eye usually starts in one eye but can quickly spread to both, and other members of the family. The eye produces sticky puss which constantly collects in the corner of the eye and glues the eyelids together overnight. This responds to antibacterial drops but is usually self limiting and should be treated by constantly wiping the eye with warm water and diluted baby shampoo to remove the pus and crusts.
An allergic pink eye requires antihistamine treatment in the form of drops or tablets.
Pink eye can have serious causes.
It is important to ask the patient if they have any disturbance in vision (not including fuzziness due to pus or discharge) and/or floaters?
Ask if they have any pain at all within the eye itself, not the rims or lids which will be irritated in most non emergency forms of red eye.
If the eye can't be kept open, with pain in the surface and constant watering, the cornea could be scratched.
Does the patient have symptoms of facial shingles? A herpes infection of the eye is serious.
Pink eye can also be caused by uveitis, which is a medical emergency and is painful.
If there are any of the above symptoms, seek emergency attention. If the ER dismisses your red eye as not serious and you have any of these symptoms, then stand your ground and insist on being checked out.
PINK EYE IS NOT ONE CONDITION WITH ONE TREATMENT.
In the UK, optometrists treat ANY pink eye in the under 5s seriously and want to see the child on the same day to rule out any serious condition. Pharmacists are advised to immediately refer.
Please folks, for all those who have replied to this thread in a very dismissive way, take from this that pink eye is USUALLY a minor, self-limiting condition, BUT NOT ALWAYS.
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Post by donna on Aug 20, 2014 1:00:23 GMT
I learned from our school nurse last week that pink eye is not a reason to send a kid home from school in SC.
One time I thought my son had pick eye, but he actually had a scratch on his cornea.
I hope your little one has some relief.
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Post by twoboyzmom on Aug 20, 2014 1:02:07 GMT
Thanks all. We did go to the dr yesterday. It was bacterial and he has drops. Already much better and back to school today. Thanks.
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