The woman’s immune system during pregnancy is subjected to serious tests, it works with a double load. Unfortunately, she does not always cope with such a crucial task as maintaining health and protecting the body from pathogenic microorganisms. During the period of carrying a baby, a woman is extremely susceptible to various viruses and bacteria. It is not uncommon to become infected with an infectious disease such as conjunctivitis during pregnancy. What is the danger of this condition and how to treat it? We will answer these questions in our article.
Causes of conjunctivitis in pregnant women
Conjunctivitis is a whole group of diseases associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. The causes of this condition may be different, namely:
- virus infection;
- bacteriological infection;
- allergen irritation.
Thus, conjunctivitis during pregnancy occurs as a result of infection with a virus, a bacterium or due to an allergic reaction. The body of the expectant mother is highly sensitive to various infections and allergens. Therefore, in women in the position conjunctivitis occurs more often and often proceeds with complications. Slows down the healing process and the fact that pregnant women are contraindicated in standard medications for the treatment of this disease.
Factors contributing to the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye are as follows:
- colds of viral origin;
- avitaminosis;
- diseases of the ENT organs;
- hypothermia;
- improper selection of contact lenses;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules (for example, the use of other people's glasses);
- external irritants: dust, strong wind, smoke, etc.
Symptoms of the disease
Expectant mothers are concerned about the question of whether conjunctivitis is dangerous during pregnancy? Despite the fact that in general this disease does not harm the fetus, the medicines that the woman uses are absorbed into the bloodstream and enter the baby, thus having a negative effect on the intrauterine development of the baby. In addition, infection of the child during delivery is possible, and infectious diseases of the eyes of newborns are extremely dangerous and difficult to treat conditions. The most dangerous conjunctivitis in pregnancy is chlamydial. It is important to determine the disease in a timely manner and proceed to treatment.
Symptoms are as follows:
- tearing;
- pain in the eyeball, aggravated by blinking;
- the presence of purulent discharge;
- redness of the eye;
- swelling;
- sensation of sand, dryness in the eye.
At the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor, it is contraindicated to use drugs on your own.
Types of conjunctivitis
Concerned with conjunctivitis during pregnancy? How to treat such a disease? A set of medical measures aimed at combating infection is compiled exclusively by an ophthalmologist. Only a specialist can reliably determine the type of conjunctivitis. Namely, the treatment regimen depends on this factor.
The following types are distinguished:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- allergic;
- autoimmune.
Also, depending on the course of the condition, chronic conjunctivitis, acute and purulent, is distinguished.
Medications
The doctor diagnosed conjunctivitis. During pregnancy, how to treat such a disease? Depending on the type, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- antihistamines: Azelastine, Allergodil, Ketotifen, Levocabastine;
- corticosteroids: Maxidex, Prenacid;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: "Diclofenac";
- artificial tear;
- local antibacterial drugs for conjunctivitis of bacterial origin: Tobrex, Phloxal.
Oral drugs are prescribed only in the absence of positive dynamics of therapy with local drugs for a week or in some complex cases.
The standard treatment regimen for conjunctivitis in pregnant women is as follows:
- In case of a viral disease, local preparations are prescribed containing oxolin, tebrofen; immunostimulants, such as Interferon. If the causative agent of the disease is the herpes virus, then “Acyclovir” (eye ointment) is additionally prescribed.
- In allergic conjunctivitis, the irritant should first be identified and eliminated. Such drugs as Suprastin, Zirtek, Hydrocortisone (eye ointment) are prescribed.
- The bacterial appearance of the disease is treated with local antibiotics, such as Tobrex drops. Be sure to rinse your eyes with a solution of furatsilina or boric acid (2%).
Folk remedies
Conjunctivitis during pregnancy is not recommended to be treated independently with folk remedies. Even herbal preparations can negatively affect the development of the fetus or the condition of the expectant mother. Therefore, if symptoms of the disease are detected, you should immediately seek help from an ophthalmologist.
Under the supervision of a doctor, you can apply herbal compresses, for example, from infusion of sage, rosehip, chamomile, calendula. In addition, experts recommend expectant mothers to review their diet and increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
Preventive actions
Conjunctivitis causes extremely unpleasant pain, the symptoms of the disease cause inconvenience and reduce the quality of life. Therefore, preventive measures should be taken to reduce the likelihood of eye infection:
- adhere to the rules of personal hygiene ;
- monitor the proper care and use of contact lenses;
- timely treat infectious diseases, as well as inflammatory processes in the ENT organs;
- take multivitamin complexes as prescribed by your doctor.
Thus, it has painful symptoms and is often a dangerous condition of conjunctivitis during pregnancy. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment, taking into account the type of infection and the general health of the patient.