Eye Rubbing and Vomiting in Toddlers: When to Seek Help

Q: Eye Rubbing and Vomiting in Toddlers: When to Seek Help

Hello： To address your first point, as you mentioned, it could be an allergic reaction. <br>In addition to nasal allergies, the eyes may also be affected, presenting as allergic conjunctivitis. <br>If the nose is scratched, there is a risk of bacterial infection, so it is advisab

Child scratching eyes and vomiting?

Hello, doctor.
My younger son just turned 2 years old.
For the past week, he has been waking up with one of his eyes appearing to be a single eyelid (it looks swollen and his eye becomes very small) for the first couple of days.
By the third and fourth days, he started rubbing his eyes, which became very red.
On the fifth and sixth days, he not only rubbed his eyes but also kept scratching the skin around his eyes (cheeks, nose, etc.).
Today is about the seventh or eighth day; after his afternoon nap, he had a lot of eye discharge.
He continues to rub his eyes.
I wonder if this could be due to a bacterial infection caused by my husband accidentally scratching a hole in his nose about a week ago (since then, he has been scratching his face, picking his nose, and rubbing his eyes), or if it could be a symptom of a viral infection that is currently circulating? Should I take him to a pediatrician or an ophthalmologist?
Additionally, my children (a 3-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy) tend to vomit whenever they play games and laugh a lot (even if they are not running around, just making them laugh).
After about 10 minutes of play, regardless of whether they have just eaten or are on an empty stomach, they will vomit, sometimes in a projectile manner.
A few days ago, I read in the newspaper about a condition called "pyloric stenosis" that can cause such symptoms.
Could this be the case for my children? Which specialist should I consult? Or could they have a congenital issue? What kind of examinations should be done? Please provide your guidance.
Thank you.

Elsa, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2004/04/12

Dr. Liang Hongjian reply Pediatrics

Hello: To address your first point, as you mentioned, it could be an allergic reaction.
In addition to nasal allergies, the eyes may also be affected, presenting as allergic conjunctivitis.
If the nose is scratched, there is a risk of bacterial infection, so it is advisable to first consult a pediatrician for examination, and then the physician can differentiate whether it is a cold.

Regarding your second concern, while it cannot be ruled out, it is more commonly seen in children under one year of age, and since your child is 2-3 years old, it is more likely to be caused by organ spasms due to vigorous activity.
You may seek evaluation from a pediatric gastroenterologist, who can determine what further examinations are necessary.

Dr.
Liang Hong-Jian, Pediatric Department, Miaoli Hospital.

Reply Date: 2004/04/12

More Info

When it comes to toddlers exhibiting symptoms such as eye rubbing, redness, and excessive eye discharge, it is essential to approach the situation with care and understanding. Your son's symptoms, which began with swollen eyelids and have progressed to persistent eye rubbing and increased eye discharge, could potentially indicate a few different issues.

Firstly, the swelling and redness around the eyes could be a sign of allergic conjunctivitis, which is common in children. Allergies can cause the eyes to become itchy and irritated, leading to rubbing and further inflammation. The increased eye discharge you mentioned could also suggest a bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, especially if the discharge is thick and colored. Given that your son has been rubbing his eyes frequently, this could exacerbate the irritation and lead to secondary infections.

The incident where your husband accidentally scratched your son's nose could also be relevant. If the scratch became infected, it could potentially lead to a localized infection that might spread to the eyes, especially if he is rubbing his face and eyes with unwashed hands.
In terms of seeking medical help, it would be advisable to consult a pediatrician first. They can evaluate your son's symptoms and determine whether a referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) is necessary. The pediatrician can also assess for any signs of allergies or infections and provide appropriate treatment, which may include antihistamines for allergies or antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections.

Regarding the vomiting episodes your children experience after laughing or playing, this could be related to a few factors. It is not uncommon for toddlers to vomit when they are overly excited or laughing hard, as the diaphragm and abdominal muscles can contract, leading to vomiting. However, if the vomiting is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is essential to investigate further.

The mention of "pyloric stenosis" is relevant, as this condition involves a narrowing of the pylorus (the opening from the stomach to the small intestine), which can cause projectile vomiting in infants. However, pyloric stenosis typically presents in infants younger than six months and is less likely to be the cause in your two-year-old son.
To address the vomiting, it would be wise to consult a pediatrician who can evaluate your children’s overall health, assess their growth and development, and determine if any further testing is necessary. They may recommend dietary adjustments or behavioral strategies to help manage the vomiting episodes.

In summary, for your son’s eye symptoms, start with a visit to the pediatrician, who can provide guidance and treatment options. For the vomiting episodes, a pediatric consultation is also recommended to rule out any underlying conditions and to ensure your children are healthy. Keeping a close eye on their symptoms and maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider will be key in addressing these concerns effectively.

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