If you experience allergies, whether during hay fever season or throughout the year, your eye-related symptoms can range from mildly annoying to hugely discomforting, to the point where you can't do anything except lie down and wait for them to pass.
Because our eyes are sensitive and always exposed, they're often the first place allergic reactions manifest and display symptoms. These can leave our eyes looking red, feeling itchy or dry, or even appearing a pinkish hue. At the same time, and speaking of pinkish hues, pink eye itself is hugely infectious but isn't allergy-induced.
Let's explore the most common symptoms of these conditions, their differences and similarities, and the best way to seek treatment, depending on your condition.
Understanding Eye-Related Allergy Symptoms
Understanding how eye-related allergy symptoms manifest is the first step in distinguishing between an allergic reaction and infectious conditions like pink eye.
Here are the most common eye allergy symptoms. Remember that you may experience these in conjunction with each other or alone.
- Red eyes: Allergy red eyes are a direct response to allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander. The redness occurs due to the blood vessels in your eyes dilating.
- Pink eyes: Allergy pink eyes may look similar to red eyes, but rather than appearing blotchy, you'll typically have a pink hue across the whites of your eyes. This sometimes, but not always, indicates that you're developing allergic conjunctivitis.
- Itchy eyes: Probably the most widespread symptom of eye allergies, your eyes typically itch when histamines in pollen and grass irritate your eyes' nerve endings.
- Dry eyes: Allergens can cause your eyes to dry out, and taking antihistamines can, too! Many people don't realize this, so they fail to prepare for experiencing dry eyes, which often leads to experiencing increased irritation and discomfort.
Allergy Eyes (Allergic Conjunctivitis) vs. Pink Eye
Allergic conjunctivitis – or allergy-induced pink eye – significantly differs from infectious forms of pink eye, which is often viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.
Let’s explore how.
Causes of Allergy Pink Eye vs. Typical Pink Eye
As its name suggests, allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, grass, dust, pet dander, or mold.
In contrast, and again, as their names suggest, viral or bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when the eyes become infected with a virus or bacteria.
How Your Symptoms Can Help You Tell the Difference
Regardless of the nature of your conjunctivitis, you may experience pink and/or red eyes, swelling to your eyes, and they may also omit a watery discharge.
The primary way to tell the difference is that allergic conjunctivitis tends to make your eyes itchy and will typically affect both eyes simultaneously.
In contrast, typically pink eye will only affect one of your eyes. In addition, any discharge may appear green or yellow, and you could find that you are experiencing pain – sometimes severe pain – rather than the feeling of irritation that characterizes an allergic reaction.
How Contagious Are Allergy Pink Eye and Typical Pink Eye?
Allergic reactions are unique to you, so if you suffer pink eye or other symptoms due to hay fever or another reaction, you won't be contagious.
However, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are both highly contagious and can spread rapidly from person to person.
When Should I Visit the Doctor?
Medical consultation is generally necessary if you're experiencing symptoms of typical pink eye, such as the green or yellow discharge or pain we mentioned earlier. However, you may also be able to undergo a teleconsultation to get advice should you be worried about infecting others.
If you're experiencing symptoms in both eyes more closely aligned to a likely allergic reaction, you should be able to perform self-care on your allergic conjunctivitis with over-the-counter medications like eye drops.
Treatment Solutions for Your Symptoms
Let's examine how you can treat yourself—or whether you need to see a doctor—depending on your symptoms. While we typically suggest over-the-counter and home solutions below, remember to keep track of your symptoms and visit a medical professional if they persist.
Treatment for Non-Pink Eye Allergy Symptoms
You'll generally be okay with over-the-counter medications and home solutions for general allergy-related symptoms like red eyes, itchiness, and dry eyes.
Antihistamine eye drops and artificial tears are perfect for reducing itchiness and redness. They can help flush out allergens and stop histamines from getting into your eyes in the first place. If you're taking antihistamine tablets, take eye drops alongside these so you don't end up with even drier eyes, as we described above.
One way to treat your symptoms medication-free is to try a cold compress. Simply lay down with a cold cloth over your eyes, and you should see a reduction in swelling and irritation. Consider dampening the cloth or even trying slices of cucumber on your eyes, too. This will help reduce your symptoms and moisten your eyes, helping them clean themselves.
Treatment for Allergy Pink Eye
Over-the-counter antihistamines and eye drops are the most effective way to manage allergic conjunctivitis.
However, it's also vital that you take steps to try to avoid allergen exposure where possible. This means cleaning your eyes regularly and aiming to stay indoors during high-pollen days. Using air purifiers can also help cleanse the air in your home and allow you to remain comfortable if you plan to keep the windows closed to keep allergens out.
Treatment for Typical Pink Eye
If you have infectious pink eye, you will typically require medical intervention to clear the virus or bacteria, although over-the-counter medications may help alleviate some of the symptoms in isolation.
Your doctor will typically prescribe more potent eye drops, like antibiotic varieties or ointments, and antiviral medications if your conjunctivitis is painful and severe.
To prevent the spread of infectious pink eye, you should maintain good hand hygiene practices, including washing your hands regularly and avoiding sharing towels or other communal things around the house.
Understanding Your Symptoms is the Key to Effective Relief
If you know your symptoms well enough to determine whether you're experiencing an allergic reaction or an infection, you'll be able to make smart decisions about whether to buy over-the-counter medication or consult with a medical professional. You'll also know what to do around the house to avoid allergens getting inside!
Check out our full range of OTC eye care medications so you can manage your symptoms as effectively as possible.
