You wake up and look in the mirror as you brush your teeth. Your eyes are incredibly bloodshot. You immediately worry that you have conjunctivitis, the contagious bacterial or pesky viral eye disease frequently referred to as “pink eye.”
It’s tricky to tell the difference between pink eye and allergies. Plus, there are viral and bacterial forms of pink eye. How do you know what you have and when to see a doctor?
The Basics: What Is Pink Eye?
Your eyeball and eyelid have a transparent membrane known as the conjunctiva. Its role is to protect the eye from germs and irritants. It also produces the mucus that mixes with tears to keep the eye lubricated.
The blood vessels within the conjunctiva can become inflamed and irritated, making your eyes turn pink or red. This is known as conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.
While allergies can cause pink eye, it usually affects both eyes. Pink eye often starts in one eye and then spreads to the other. You might wake up to find your eye glued shut with a thick, mucous discharge. That’s a key indicator that you have pink eye.
1. Conjunctivitis Caused by an Irritant
If you get a chemical or foreign object in the eye, it irritates the conjunctiva. This causes inflammation and redness. Depending on what you got in your eye, you may require medication treatment to prevent permanent eye damage. You might experience watery eyes with irritation. Mild cases often resolve on their own within a day.
2. Viral Pink Eye
Viral conjunctivitis usually appears alongside a cold or another viral infection, such as chickenpox. Your eyes are red and irritated for the duration of the illness. Relieving the inflammation with cool washcloths and eye drops helps.
3. Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial pink eye occurs when bacteria get into the eye and cause an infection. Many things can cause it.
- Failing to wash contact lenses before wearing them.
- Having a bacterial infection like strep throat or a sinus infection that spreads to your eye.
- STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhoeae are passed to infants during childbirth.
- Using the toilet and not washing hands before rubbing the eyes.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious, so make sure you’re not sharing sheets or towels. Wash them in hot water regularly and toss out any eye cosmetics you used shortly before and while the antibiotics clear up the infection. Don’t wear contacts until the infection is gone.
What Is Allergic Conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis affects the same clear membrane, but it’s triggered by your seasonal or environmental allergies. It’s incredibly common and affects over 1 million people in the U.S.
Eye allergies occur when an allergen you’re exposed to gets into the tissue within your eye and triggers an inflammatory response, causing the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to leak small amounts of blood.
It goes hand in hand with your other allergies, whether they’re environmental, such as dust and dust mites, or seasonal, such as hay fever or ragweed allergies. To treat allergic conjunctivitis, you need to treat your allergies. Ask a doctor about recommended allergy medications.
Pink Eye vs. Allergies: A Summary of Symptoms
How do you know when it’s pink eye or when it’s allergies causing bloodshot eyes? The symptoms are your key indicators.
| Allergies | Pink Eye | |
| Blurred vision | Possible | Possible |
| Burning | Yes | Sometimes |
| Eye Affected | Both | Starts in one and moves |
| Gritty, scratchy feeling | No | Yes |
| Itching | Yes | Less common |
| Gritty feeling | No | Yes |
| Pus-like eye discharge that glues the eyelids together | No | Yes |
| Redness | More pink | Can get very red |
| Sensitivity to light | No | Yes |
| Watery Tears | Yes | Yes if viral, otherwise more mucousy. |
Other Conditions That Mimic Pink Eye
Pink eye and allergies are bad enough, but other eye conditions could be behind your red eyes. This is why we recommend going to urgent care for a medical diagnosis. It’s better to be certain than to leave a potential eye infection to worsen and damage your vision.
- Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis: This serious eye allergy is more common in older men with a history of eczema. If left untreated, it can cause scarring on the cornea.
- Blepharitis: Blepharitis is caused by inflammation of the eyelids, usually triggered by a blocked oil gland or bacteria. The eyelids are red, swollen, and itchy. Dry, crusty skin flakes may appear on the eyelashes. The eyes may appear bloodshot, too, especially if you rub your eyelids a lot to stop the itching. Prescription medications can help stop the inflammation.
- Dry Eyes: This common condition occurs when the tear duct doesn’t produce enough lubrication. In addition to redness, the eyes may burn or feel like there’s something in the eye. See a doctor if you suspect you have dry eyes.
- Ocular Rosacea: Rosacea is an untreatable skin condition that causes redness, pimples, and inflammation. It can spread to the eyes in some people, causing symptoms such as a sensation of sand under the eyelid, light sensitivity, and redness. You should see a doctor for a diagnosis and guidance on easing the discomfort.
- Stye: If there’s a painful bump on your eyelid, you have a stye. It’s caused by a blocked oil gland that becomes infected. Most don’t require medical attention. Warm compresses and keeping your eyelid clean are best. If it’s been 48 hours and the pain and swelling are increasing, go to urgent care.
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: This severe eye allergy requires medical attention, as it can impair vision if left untreated. It’s more common in males and people with asthma or eczema.
Tips for Managing Red Eyes
When your eyes are bloodshot, pink, or bright red, you need to take care of yourself. If it’s bacterial, you need to see a doctor and get a prescription for antibiotic eye drops. A telehealth visit is often suitable for pink eye concerns. Otherwise, these tips should help.
- Apply lubricating eye drops to ease discomfort.
- Hold a cool compress against your eyes to help with inflammation.
- Run an air purifier in your home to remove allergens.
- Stop wearing contacts for the time being.
- Take allergy medications to ease the inflammation that triggers allergy symptoms.
- Use allergy formula eye drops if you deal with seasonal or environmental allergies.
When to Go to the Doctor
Pink eye and allergies are no fun, but allergies don’t require a trip to the doctor unless the following symptoms occur.
- Blurred vision
- Bright red color vs. pink
- Moderate to severe pain
- Sensitivity to light
Premium Urgent Care’s doctors provide the care you need if you’re dealing with pink eye. While you have to wait out viral pink eye, bacterial pink eye requires antibiotic eye drops. We have weekend hours and are open later than most doctors’ offices, so it’s more convenient for your busy schedule. Walk in and see a doctor without an appointment.