Conjunctivitis in Kids: Sticky Eyes, School Rules and Treatment
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. In children it causes red or pink eyes, watering, and a sticky discharge that can gum the lashes together. It is common, usually mild, and often clears on its own.
Parents often call it pink eye, and it is one of the most frequent reasons young children are kept home from daycare. Most cases in Australia are caused by a virus or bacteria and settle within one to two weeks, though the red, sticky appearance can look far worse than the illness actually is. Babies and toddlers rub their eyes and share toys, which is why it passes so easily between them.
This guide explains the different types of conjunctivitis, how to clean sticky eyes safely, what the school and daycare rules are, and the warning signs that mean your child should see a doctor.
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Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are very contagious, which is why they move quickly through daycare, kindergarten and busy households. The infection spreads through contact with the discharge from an infected eye, and then through hands, shared towels, face washers, pillows and toys. A child who rubs a sticky eye and then touches a sibling or a shared surface can pass it on within moments, often before anyone realises the eye is infected.
This is the same pattern seen with other contagious childhood infections such as impetigo, or school sores, which also travels through close contact and shared items. Good hygiene is your best defence. Wash hands often, keep your child's own towel and pillow separate, and wash bedding and face washers on a hot cycle. Try to discourage eye rubbing, and clean away discharge regularly, which we cover next. These small, consistent steps limit how many family members and classmates catch it, and they matter most in the first few days when the eye is weepiest.
Gentle eye care is the mainstay of looking after conjunctivitis at home, and it is simple to do. Boil water and let it cool to lukewarm, then dip a clean cotton pad or a soft, clean cloth into it. Wipe each eye gently from the inner corner near the nose outward towards the ear, using a fresh pad for every wipe and a separate pad for each eye. This stops you carrying discharge from one eye to the other, or back across skin you have already cleaned.
Wiping away the crusts several times a day keeps your child more comfortable and helps the eyes open after sleep. Wash your own hands before and after, and put used pads straight in the bin. Offer plenty of cuddles and reassurance, as gritty, itchy eyes are annoying for little ones and they may want to rub them. Avoid covering or patching the eye unless a doctor tells you to, and do not share the cloths, pads, towels or pillows with anyone else in the house while the infection clears.
Many cases of infectious conjunctivitis clear up on their own within a week or two, and simple, regular eye cleaning is often all that is needed. For bacterial conjunctivitis that is not settling, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. These are described here as a class, and the right choice is a decision for your doctor. Antibiotics do not help viral or allergic conjunctivitis, so they are not always the answer. For the allergic type, a doctor can talk you through suitable options to ease the itch.
On school and daycare, the usual advice is to keep your child home while the eyes are still producing discharge, and they can generally return once the discharge has stopped. Exclusion rules vary between states and territories, so always check your own state's guidance or ask your child's centre. The same is true for other contagious illnesses such as scarlet fever. If you need to take time off to care for your child, a doctor can help with the paperwork your workplace requires.
See the same doctor each time
Most conjunctivitis is mild, but some signs mean your child should be seen promptly. Book a review if your child has genuine eye pain rather than mild irritation, sensitivity to light, any change in vision, or if the redness and swelling are spreading into the skin around the eye rather than staying in the eye itself. A newborn baby with red, sticky eyes should be reviewed the same day, because eye infections in the first weeks of life need prompt attention.
Also see a doctor if the eye is not improving after a few days, if there is a lot of yellow or green discharge that keeps building, or if your child seems generally unwell. A fever alongside sore eyes is worth checking, and our guide to when a child's fever is worth worrying about can help you judge how concerned to be. Trust your instincts. If your child develops severe eye pain, cannot open the eye, or you feel something is seriously wrong, seek urgent care straight away.
Abby Health is an online-first clinic, so you can talk to an Australian GP about your child's sore, sticky eyes from home, seven days a week, without sitting in a waiting room and risking passing it on. Over video, a doctor can look at the eyes, help you work out whether it is likely bacterial, viral or allergic, and discuss treatment options with you, including when eye drops are worth considering and when gentle cleaning is enough. You can read more about how we support parents in our families and kids help centre.
You can choose to see the same doctor each time, so your child's history is understood. If your child needs to stay home from daycare, we can help with a carer's medical certificate for your workplace. Book through our everyday family clinic when it suits you. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict eligibility criteria apply. This is general information only and not a substitute for personal medical advice. If your child has severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, or is seriously unwell, call 000.
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