Question
My baby has been rubbing their own eyelids with small hands for the past two months. I have carefully checked the eyes and there is no redness in the whites or swelling, but the baby has eye discharge every day. Why is this? Does the baby’s eye have a problem? What should I do?
Answer
The baby’s rubbing of the eyelids could be due to an issue with the eyelids or eyes. Visual inspections or CT scans can only reveal substantial lesions but not functional ones. Usually, this is caused by excess internal heat leading to increased eye discharge. If the baby is breastfed, the mother can consume cooling foods such as melons and green vegetables to help reduce internal heat. For a seven-month-old baby, some green vegetable soup can also be given, especially bitter-tasting vegetables. Note that it’s not cabbage but other bitter-tasting vegetables.