Dr. Carole Keim talks about two conditions that can affect your baby’s eyes. The first is lacrimal duct stenosis and the second is pinkeye. She explains what causes each condition, how they typically present in your child, and ways each modality of medicine can help with treatment. All this information will also be found in her new book, Holistic Mama’s Handbook.   

Lacrimal duct stenosis is often called a blocked tear duct but it’s not the tear duct that is blocked, it’s the lacrimal duct located in the corner of the eye on the bottom eyelid. Dr. Keim details what it looks like and how long it might last. Pinkeye can be caused by viruses or by bacteria. Viral infections are more common than bacterial ones. Dr. Keim outlines the differences in each, what symptoms to watch for, and how western and alternative medicines can help. 

In this episode:

Lacrimal duct stenosis  00:33

• Symptoms: watery discharge, light crusting on lashes, buildup of what can look like pus in the eyes but is just skin cells, whites of eyes stay white.  No long term effects, goes away typically before 1 year of age.  
• Western - massage the duct during diaper changes, wipe with clean washcloth, wait until 1st birthday, can consider surgical dilation. If eyes get infected, can add antibacterial eyedrops. 
• Acu - point near the lacrimal duct can be used and has shown great results in studies 
• Chiro - craniosacral / skull bones 
• Nutrition/supplements - none specifically.  
• Naturopathy - fascial manipulation, Can put breastmilk in eyes.
• homeopathy - Pulsatilla, Merc Sol, Apis Mellifica, or Stannum Met may be tried.
• Aromatherapy - none 

Pinkeye  06:27

• Symptoms: watery/purulent discharge, crusting, redness of the whites of the eyes. Viral bilateral, bacterial usually unilateral.  Viral is self-limited with the illness, can last 1-2 weeks, and can sometimes get a bacterial superinfection if kids rub eyes.  
• Western - Viral: supportive care, cool compresses to eyes, avoid rubbing/touching.  Bacterial: antibiotic eye drops 
• Acu - viral: treat underlying cause/imbalance.  Bacterial: n/a.
• Chiro - nonspecific but can help with overall wellness 
• Nutrition/supplements - viral: Vitamin C, Vit D, zinc, echinacea, elderberry.  None for bacterial.
• Naturopathy - breastmilk, topical eyedrops (western), some can make herbal tincture eyedrops (need to be sure it’s very sterile), wet socks 
• Homeopathy - There are homeopathic eye drops to help with symptoms of pinkeye.  Euphrasia can be used orally for viral conjunctivitis. Oral Pulsatilla and Calcarea Sulph may be tried for bacterial conjunctivitis, but you should see a doctor for antibiotic eyedrops if it’s not helping within a day.
• Aromatherapy - not recommended topically, but can use decongestant oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint in a diffuser 

More like this in the Holistic Mamas Handbook. Next week: ears!

Dr. Keim has extensively researched the information presented in this episode. Her insight and knowledge on alternative and holistic treatments come together in her new book, Holistic Mamas Handbook, launching on November 15, 2023. Pre-orders are available here. Her book, The Baby Manual, covers the first year of baby life and is the subject of the first two seasons of this podcast. For additional tips and advice on babies and toddlers, follow Dr. Carole Keim on her TikTok and YouTube channels. And remember, it’s always okay to call your doctor or emergency services if you have concerns about your child’s health.   

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Pre-order the Holistic Mamas Handbook, launch date 11/15/23
• The Baby Manual is available on Amazon
• Supplement/vitamins link for 10% off

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Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram