Tear canal obstruction in newborns

When a child is born into the world, he undergoes a reorganization of all internal organs. Now the baby learns to live outside the maternal abdomen. Until the moment of birth, the child's nose-tear duct is closed with a special protective film, which prevents the entering of amniotic fluid into the body. After birth, this film breaks, because it is no longer needed by the child. If this does not happen, then there is an obstruction of the lacrimal canal in newborns (dacryocystitis).

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease are the flow of tears not during crying, the presence of a detachable, constant teardrop in the eyes. These signs of the obstruction of the lacrimal canal are diagnosed by many doctors as conjunctivitis, and prescribed anti-inflammatory drops for treatment. However, this does not help in the fight against the disease.

The complication of dacryocystitis, as well as the obstruction of the lacrimal canal in adults, is indicated by mucous or purulent separation from the eyes and swelling in the corner of the eye from the inside.

Reasons for obstruction of the canals

Disease can overtake not only the child, but also the adult. This is due to the fact that against the background of the transferred infections, injuries or diseases, the nose-tear sack becomes inflamed. In newborn babies this, as was said above, is due to the preservation of the protective film.

The principle of the lacrimal canal is that it misses the tears that wash the eyes. In case of blockage, tears stagnate in the eyes. A huge number of pathogens are superimposed on this process. This causes pus in the eyes.

A young mother, when she brings her newborn child home from the hospital, should pay attention to the fact that the baby does not have wet eyes. If this is present, then the tear ducts are partially or completely clogged.

Treatment

The obstruction of the lacrimal canal can not be cured by rinsing the eyes with chamomile, although so many mothers do on the advice of relatives and girlfriends. By this method, on the contrary, one can delay the child's recovery.

Having discovered the obstruction of the lacrimal canal in newborns, it is necessary to act immediately. The film solidifies over time and will have to be disposed of surgically.

You can help your child with massage. However, the opinions of doctors differ in this. Some believe that it is possible not to intervene operatively up to two months, while others treat a massage and a six-month-old baby. It is impossible to make a decision on starting treatment on your own. It is necessary to refer the child to the ophthalmologist for a complete examination of the eye canals.

Treatment usually involves the use of special drops that prevent the appearance and reproduction of microbes in the eyes. The doctor will also teach massage. In case of correct actions, a purulent accumulation will leave the canals, which is removed with a cotton swab dipped in chamomile, calendula or black tea. If the massage has no visible effect, then it is necessary to visit the doctor's office again to examine the eyes.

Surgical intervention

Massage helps not everyone. Sometimes the impassability of the tear duct in newborns has to be treated more radically. The most common method is bougie. A hard probe is inserted into the child's nose and tear duct, and then obstructions and channels widen. The procedure takes literally a few minutes and causes only unpleasant sensations. But it is noticed that the younger the child, the easier it takes the whole process.

Obstruction of the tear duct in newborns is a serious problem. If to delay with treatment, in the future the child will have serious problems with vision. In addition, constant tears and pus in the eyes will interfere with the infant in familiarization with the surrounding world, which significantly inhibits its development.