I know many of you aren’t doctors but many work in health care and I have a question for you.
I have, what appears to be pink eye. I am leaning more towards allergic as I have recently added a rat to my home in the last couple of weeks.
I first started out with extreme body itching last week when I brought her in the house. With the increased humidity lately, pollens and grasses are up and down like a yo yo so I can add this to the mix.
My ecxema (ap) has returned and in the last few days (on my hands only) and my left eye has become red, swollen and itchy (but not really scratchy.) There is a little goop but nothing completely untolerable as I get the crusties in my eyes from about Feb (when the trees pollinate) till about the time the windows close up and it’s heater season.
So, are there any hard and fast rules to determine what kind of cunjunctivitis I have? I have read around and some of them are wishy washy.
How long should I go before I break my bank account and go to one of the health care clinics (those non-emergency types) and have it looked at? What is the typical cost of treatment for viral or bacterial treatment if it is not allergen related?
I am not asking for medical advice per se, but knowledge if there are any OTC treatments (even herbal) before I go see a physician.
I forgot to add. In the past, I have been known to get a similar issue but not full blown pink eye…aka I would get the little white bumps in my lower eye lid, which I do have as well. This time it’s also created a blood shot eye, minimal goo and puffy like I have been sucker punched without the bruising.
I think you should go ahead and have it looked at. Conjuctivitis can be viral, bacterial, or allergic, as you know. If it’s bacterial, you really need antibiotics to clear it up.
I once had allergic conjuctivitis that kept my eyes swollen and watering for over a month, non-stop. My daughter currently has allergic conjuctivitis, and the eye drops cost $66! If it’s bacterial, you’ll get off much cheaper.
In the mean time, try cold compresses, benadryl, and ibuprofen for the swelling, itching, pain and inflammation.
But in any case, don’t mess with your vision–get it checked.
I was busy typing and previewing a post in which I was suggesting you find some optical antibiotic ointment to see if that would help when I saw Calliope’s post. She’s absolutely right, and I hadn’t even thought about the different types of conjunctivitis, since the kind I get is typically bacterial.
I won’t tell you the story about my using the dog’s eye ointment, either.
You could tlry the the triple antibiotic cream you can buy over the counter. It says it’s not for optical use however, but I’ve used it. I used to use it on my cat as well. If, after 24 hours there is no improvement get thyself to the doc.
Bah, I wouldn’t do that. If it continues to bother you, or if you have pain in your eye, go to the doctor. But be aware that the anti-biotic drops can be very expensive and useless if you have a viral conjunctivitis.
If your doctor believes it is bacterial and needs antibiotics, ask for the cheapest type. They aren’t as comfortable going into your eye, but you’re an adult and you can handle some stinging. Also ask about the best way to maximize the amount of time 1-2 drops will stay in your eye…often involves blocking the naso-lacrimal duct.
$66 for eye drops? :eek: Holy finances Batman, a doctor’s appointment plus that kind of money? Hmmm. A typical doctor’s visit (if I can even get in, my doc is one heck of a busy man) costs about $60 and as for going through the public health system, that’s as difficult as it is to get to my own doc.
I 'spose if it doesn’t go away in a few days or it doesn’t seem to clear up then I will see if one of the non-emergency clinics can get me in and take payments or something.
techchick68. There is one more possibility, although it’s fairly rare. My son used to have ‘Pink Eye’ annually. One time, though, when I took him to the doctor, it was diagnosed as Herpes Simplex which is more serious.
I do understand that things can get pretty expensive, but you really should check it out. How about an emergency room.
No kidding. I about fell over. They better be liquid gold is all I have to say. Fortunately, antibiotic drops should be less than $10, but the ones my daughter needed are for allergic conjuctivitis and no generic exists, thus the heavy price tag.
I have no good advice on getting a low-cost doctor’s visit, but if you do break down and visit the doctor, make it very clear that you have no insurance and you’re on a tight budget. Sometimes they can make a few adjustments on the bill for you, and they often have pharmaceutical samples they’ll give you for free.
I wouldn’t suggest waiting until you have to resort to the ER. That’s going to end up costing a whole lot more in the long run.
Crap, it looks like my doctor is the best bet financially…he’s only $60 versus well over $100 for one of the local health care clinics which expect payment NOW.
The problem is, getting in my doc can be three weeks out!
So what is a person to do. I don’t mind making payments but I don’t want to wait 3 weeks either.
Pay that this crap clears up over night and I don’t have to worry about it any longer.
As much as I am a Libertarian, I sure as hell hate our health care system. I really do. I am one of those that doesn’t get sick that often but finding a doc when you really need it really can suck ass.
Also, if you have seen an ophthalmologist or optometrist before, you might give her a call and see if she would let you try the eye drops for allergies first. Even a call to your physician might work.
