Tear canals in newborns: massage at home

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The birth of a baby gives a whole firework of previously unfamiliar sensations of unbridled happiness and all-consuming tenderness. But along with that comes excitement and anxiety. One of the problems is dacryocystitis or, otherwise, the obstruction of the tear ducts in a child. How to notice the pathology and help the newborn?

Causes of obstruction of the tear duct

Nature thought out to the smallest detail the origin of the fetus, its development and birth. In the womb, the lacrimal canal of the baby is blocked by a special thin film. It is necessary to protect the eyes from infection that can get with the amniotic fluid. At the time of birth, the baby breaks the film with the first breath or cry. And the eyes begin to function normally. But it happens that the film remains. In this case, doctors say that the tear ducts in newborns are closed. Massage in such situations is the most effective way to correct the problem. In addition, dacryocystitis may develop afterbirth as a result of injuries, chronic diseases of the nose. Also, the tear ducts may not function due to the incorrect structure of the bones of the skull. But in these cases, massage will be powerless.

When is a massage scheduled?

The clinical picture of obstruction of the tear ducts is very similar to conjunctivitis. Therefore, doctors most often first prescribe treatment for this disease. And only when it does not help, consider the option of obstruction. The baby's eyes fester, the cilia stick together. It seems that there are always tears in the eyes. In such cases, the little one needs help. Massage of the tear ducts in newborns should be started as soon as it becomes clear that the drugs do not improve the situation. With its help, the film will break through, and the eye will stop festering.

How to massage the tear ducts of newborns?

The first stage of the massage is preparatory. Eyes need to be cleaned. To do this, you need a cotton swab, a Furacilin tablet or brewed chamomile. The procedure is simple. To begin with, you brew chamomile or dissolve the capsule in warm boiled water. After moistening the swab, you should gently move over the eye in the direction of the nose. Continue these simple movements until you remove all the pus. After that, you can perform the procedure itself. How to massage the lacrimal canals in newborns with your own hands, an ophthalmologist will tell. Since the manipulation is performed 5-7 times a day, then the mother and baby need to go to the hospital if the parents want to entrust thismission to an experienced doctor.

Massage technique

It is most convenient to massage with the index fingers. First you need to feel for a seal at the base of the visual organ and put your fingers a little lower. Swipe the phalanges several times from the nose to the eye. Some pus may come out. This moment is very important, because it allows you to clear the lacrimal canal. Then change tactics and from the base of the eye, run your fingers along the nose down. They will help you visually see how to massage the lacrimal canals to a newborn, photo. One of them is shown below.

Finger movements should be directed down the nose. This is how the lacrimal canal is located inside. Slightly descending along the wall of the external respiratory organ, it connects to the nasal passage. The diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist after he examines the tear ducts in newborns. Massage is given first. Ask him to show the technique several times. Try to perform the movements yourself under his supervision. Feel free to ask about all the nuances. It is very important to do everything right. Then the massage will be effective, and you will be able to avoid probing the tear ducts. The main thing is not to rush and remember that it is quite difficult to achieve a positive result. Need to be patient.

Purpose of manipulation

Massage of the tear ducts in newborns is necessary in order to remove the film inside. But to fully understand how to perform the procedure, you needknow some facts about the structure of the eye and the functions of its components. So, the lacrimal canal originates at the base of the visual organ. It passes down the wall of the nose and connects internally with its cavity. The eye is constantly moistened and cleansed by tears. Having washed the visual organ, the tear leaves along with the dirt through the lacrimal canal. But having no way out, it all accumulates. The task of massage is not only to break through the film, but also to alleviate the condition of the child until this happens.

Why don't drops help?

Unfortunately, many doctors do not notice the problem. And over and over again prescribed drops. What happens in this case? Drops clean the canal clogged with dirt, the antibiotic kills microbes and “imaginary well-being” sets in. Or, in other words, it seems that the eye has been cured. But, since the channel is still closed, after a while, the discharge appears again. Parents again turn to the ophthalmologist. The doctor complains about the inattention of adults, their allegedly incorrect manipulation technique. And again appoints drops. At the same time, the symptoms are constantly removed, and the cause of the disease remains.

Helpful tips

Lacrimal canal massage for dacryocystitis in newborns requires a special approach due to a number of features of babies:

1. Movements should be clear and strong enough, but at the same time careful. Remember that children don't have a bone in their nose yet. In its place is just cartilage. You need to act carefully so as not to damage it.
2. Don't be afraid of crying baby. The procedure does not cause painsensations, only discomfort. In addition, it may be even easier to break through the film while crying due to the tension in the nasal passages.
3. Be careful when cleaning your eyes. The baby turns his head, and you can accidentally put pus in the ear or he althy eye, which will lead to new problems.
4. When growing up, the child is more difficult to endure the procedure.
5. If the effect is not observed within a month, the lacrimal canals remain closed in newborns, massage is useless. And there is no point in continuing. You should seek help from a doctor who will prescribe probing.

What is tear duct probing?

When massage and drop treatments don't work, people start talking about probing. This procedure is much easier for children up to three months, as they sleep most of the day. Older children begin to show anxiety, get nervous at the sight of strangers, etc. Very often, parents delay surgery because of the fear that the baby will be hurt, the operation will cause him psychological trauma. But in reality, the procedure only takes a few minutes.

The baby is swaddled tightly so that he cannot push the doctor's hands. Then 0.5% "Alkain" is dripped into the eye. This is necessary for local anesthesia. Next, the probe is inserted into the canal. The film inside is torn. And the tear ducts in the newborn begin to function normally. Massage is no longer needed, but for another month, doctors recommend monitoring the baby's eyes and washing them. Mandatory antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

What are the consequences after probing the lacrimal duct?

Immediately after probing with dacryocystitis, the child has a normal functioning of the eye. He no longer waters and does not swell. A few days may still be present scanty purulent discharge. The worst thing that can happen to a child is crying. Doctors perform the procedure without the presence of parents, so the baby may be scared. But as soon as the little one returns to his mother, he immediately calms down.

Should probing be done?

Doctors always give adults a month to think after discovering newborns have clogged tear ducts. Massage can always help, but don't experiment for too long. Do not forget that pus collects in the lacrimal canal. And this indicates the multiplication of dangerous bacteria. The lacrimal canal is located in close proximity to the brain. Therefore, dacryocystitis should be considered a rather serious disease. There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of probing. The operation will only save the baby from discomfort, and the parents from constant worries.