Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPink Eye vs. AllergiesPink EyeTreatmentPreventionWhen to Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Pink Eye vs. Allergies

Pink Eye

Treatment

Prevention

When to Get Help

Frequently Asked Questions

Pink eye is a term commonly used forconjunctivitis, which is inflammation or infection of theconjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and inner eyelid.Similar symptoms of redness, itching, and watering of the eyes can also be seen in allergies (allergic conjunctivitis).

Conjunctivitis accounts for approximately 6 million cases annually in the United States.The most common type of infectious conjunctivitis in the U.S. is viral conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is also very common, affecting up to 30% of people at some point in their life.

An illustration of a person washing their hands with soap and a list of ways to prevent pink eye.

Is Pink Eye Contagious?

Commonsymptomsof pink eye include the following:

Allergy SymptomsIf allergies are causing conjunctivitis, you may seeother symptomssuch as:SneezingItching of the nose or roof of the mouthNasal congestionRunny noseThroat irritationDark circles under the eyes

Allergy Symptoms

If allergies are causing conjunctivitis, you may seeother symptomssuch as:SneezingItching of the nose or roof of the mouthNasal congestionRunny noseThroat irritationDark circles under the eyes

If allergies are causing conjunctivitis, you may seeother symptomssuch as:

Causes

Pink eye is a common condition with manypossible causes. They can be classified into several types: viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, chemical conjunctivitis, and autoimmune/inflammatory conjunctivitis. The list below discusses each type of pink eye and how they are caused:

Relief for Eye Allergy Symptoms

The treatment for pink eye depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, the symptoms may resolve on their own. In other cases, they may require treatment with topical eye drops or oral medications to treat an underlying infection.

You should also stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) says it’s OK to start wearing them again. If you do not need to see an eye doctor, do not wear your contacts until you no longer have symptoms of pink eye.

Common pink eye treatment approaches include:

To prevent non-infectious and infectious conjunctivitis, consider following these tips:

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the substance that you’re allergic to, although this is not always easy or practical. Consider the following tips to minimize exposure to an allergen:

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

It’s not always necessary to see your healthcare provider for conjunctivitis. However, seek medical attention as soon as possible if your symptoms are severe or don’t improve within a week. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you have conjunctivitis along with any of the following:

Summary

To prevent pink eye, frequently wash your hands and refrain from sharing personal items. To prevent an allergic reaction, attempt to avoid the substance that you’re allergic to. Treatments vary depending on the type of pink eye and allergy you have. If your symptoms do not improve or become worse, see your healthcare provider.

A Word From Verywell

Pink eye (known as conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and inner eyelid. Causes of pink eye include bacteria, viruses, allergens, and more.Dry eyes occur when tears evaporate too quickly or if the eyes produce too few tears. Medications or staring at a computer screen too long can cause dry eyes.

Pink eye (known as conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and inner eyelid. Causes of pink eye include bacteria, viruses, allergens, and more.

Dry eyes occur when tears evaporate too quickly or if the eyes produce too few tears. Medications or staring at a computer screen too long can cause dry eyes.

Seasonal allergies, which occur when your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance (an allergen), are commonly misdiagnosed as infectious pink eye.

Learn MoreSymptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Pink Eye

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic conjunctivitis.Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment.JAMA2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio AL, Lazzarini D.Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study.Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000204American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hay fever / rhinitis.American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye.Bischoff G.Gigantopapilläre Konjunktivitis (Giant papillary conjunctivitis).Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde. 2014;231(05):518-521. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Treating acute chemical injuries of the cornea.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Mold allergy.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic conjunctivitis.Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment.JAMA2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio AL, Lazzarini D.Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study.Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000204American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hay fever / rhinitis.American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye.Bischoff G.Gigantopapilläre Konjunktivitis (Giant papillary conjunctivitis).Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde. 2014;231(05):518-521. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Treating acute chemical injuries of the cornea.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Mold allergy.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic conjunctivitis.Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment.JAMA2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio AL, Lazzarini D.Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study.Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000204American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hay fever / rhinitis.American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye.Bischoff G.Gigantopapilläre Konjunktivitis (Giant papillary conjunctivitis).Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde. 2014;231(05):518-521. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Treating acute chemical injuries of the cornea.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Mold allergy.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic conjunctivitis.

Azari AA, Barney NP.Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment.JAMA2013;310(16):1721-1729. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318

Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio AL, Lazzarini D.Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study.Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000204

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hay fever / rhinitis.

American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye.

Bischoff G.Gigantopapilläre Konjunktivitis (Giant papillary conjunctivitis).Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde. 2014;231(05):518-521. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368334

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.

American Academy of Ophthalmology.Treating acute chemical injuries of the cornea.

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.

Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.

Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.Mold allergy.

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