Written by Editorial Team
One of the most common issues that the majority of babies experience after birth is blocked tear duct. This is a very common condition among infants and newborns and can occur due to a variety of factors. A blocked tear duct in newborns can trigger a condition similar to conjunctivitis or even actual conjunctivitis itself.
It thus becomes imperative that you take care of this issue immediately in order to avert unwanted eye complications in your little darling. Read ahead to find out all you wanted to know about blocked tear ducts in newborn babies.
In This Article
Tear ducts are small tubes through which the tears drain from the eye. It stretches from the eye into the nose. Tear ducts are not completely developed in a lot of newborn babies or may be blocked partially because it is covered by a very thin film.
If a tear duct is blocked or does not open, then the tears have a problem draining from the eye. As a result, the duct may be filled with fluid and can become swollen, inflamed, or even get infected. This is common in around 20% of newborn babies and usually clears up within a year after birth.
The following are a few causes of blocked tear ducts in newborns:
If the nasal bone of your baby is not developed normally, it can put pressure on the tear duct causing an obstruction and blockage. Even in situations in which the nasal cavity or other parts of the face have some kind of abnormality, it can cause blockage of the tear duct.
If some kind of injury happens on the face of your baby, it can cause a blocked tear duct
Bacterial infections like cellular debris and white blood cells can bring about swelling due to inflammation and can cause blockage of the baby’s tear duct
A blocked tear duct is a very common occurrence in around six out of a hundred babies and one of the most common culprits behind this is an underdeveloped tear duct. In the majority of cases, a thin film of tissue obstructs the tear duct opening and as the little one grows, this flap of this tissue just disappears and clears the opening of the tear duct
Blocked tear ducts may run in the families too.
One of the most noticeable symptoms is “increased tearing” which triggers the tears to flow onto the face and cheek. Normally this becomes quite noticeable a couple of weeks after the baby is born. Often tears dry up and turn crusty. Other signs are:
If your baby has symptoms of blocked tear ducts, then the doctor may recommend the following tests.
In newborns, blocked ducts are often the consequence of the membrane failing to open when the baby is first born. There is no effective method to stop this from taking place at this time.
You may, however, keep an eye out for any signs affecting your child. Always be careful to avoid smoking in the presence of your child, and never allow smoking inside your home. Smoke, along with other possible dangers such as dry air, may irritate your baby’s nasal passages and make the symptoms of a blocked nose worse. Dry air is another potential danger.
The treatment for a blocked tear duct depends on what triggers the blockage of the tear duct. The majority of the cases of blocked tear ducts resolve on their own without the need for medical intervention. Simple remedies include:
Despite all you care and remedies, if the issue doesn’t seem to resolve, do see a doctor. If your baby seems to be uncomfortable or having symptoms of infection such as fever, do take your baby to the pediatrician immediately.
Blocked tear ducts in newborns is a fairly common problem. If your baby appears to have symptoms of blocked tear ducts, do take thehelp of home remedies. In case the issue persists, taking your baby to the doctor may be the need of the hour
Even though their eyes are wet, a clogged tear duct does not normally cause much pain in a newborn. The tissues around the tear duct are seldom infected as a result of a tear duct obstruction. If this occurs, you may see a hard bump around the inner corner of your baby’s eye.
A few drops of breast milk might assist in clearing your baby’s clogged tear duct. Try putting a drop or two of breast milk straight into your baby’s closed eyes; when they open their eyelids, the milk will drip into the eyes and help to clean out clogged tear ducts. Apply this therapy many times each day for a week or two, or until their tear ducts have healed.
When the membrane within the tear duct opens up, a clogged tear duct normally resolves on its own. This normally occurs by the time your infant is a year old.
A clogged tear duct may cause significant pain, decreased vision, and an increased risk of infection.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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