What is pink eye?
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is an inflammation of the clear thin outer layer (conjunctiva) of the eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they’re more visible. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink.1 It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, an irritant (such as shampoo, smoke, or chlorine), or by allergies. When the inflammation is caused by a virus, bacteria, or irritant, it’s non-allergic conjunctivitis. When the inflammation is caused by allergies, it’s called allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis can be caused by both seasonal and year-round allergies.
Common Allergic Conjunctivitis Symptoms:
- Itchy eyes and eyelids
- Redness
- Burning
- Swollen eyelids
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes
Non-allergic conjunctivitis can sometimes easily spread from person to person, but allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis differs from non-allergic conjunctivitis in a few ways:
Both eyes are usually affected (but may not be equally affected).
Your eyes may water a lot, but they don't become gooey or sticky.
Nasal symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny nose, also known as rhinoconjunctivitis, often occur along with eye symptoms.
Causes of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis can be caused by both year-round allergies and seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis usually happens during pollen season and is connected to allergic rhinitis symptoms. Eye inflammation that occurs year-round can be caused by:
Allergic conjunctivitis can also happen as a reaction to things inserted in eyes, such as contact lens solutions and eye drops.
Why is testing important?
You may think your itchy eyes are a harmless nuisance, but it’s important to find out what’s causing it, i.e., the triggers. Living with conjunctivitis can have a negative impact on productivity and happiness at school and/or work.2 It’s important to determine whether your eye symptoms are caused by a virus or by allergies because each cause requires different treatments. And learning what may be behind your symptoms now could also help you avoid any potential vision problems in the future.
So how do you know if your symptoms are caused by an allergy? A simple blood test—together with your medical history—can help identify underlying allergen triggers, if you have an allergy. Knowing if you’re allergic and what you’re allergic to can help you or a loved one avoid or minimize symptoms. Be sure to consult with your healthcare professional.
Tools for Understanding Allergies
Track allergy symptoms and prepare for a visit with a healthcare provider.
Learn about specific allergens, including common symptoms, management, and relief.
Are you a healthcare provider? Get comprehensive information on hundreds of whole allergens and allergen components.
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/basics/definition/con-20022732.
- Epling J. Bacterial conjunctivitis. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2012;2012:0704.
Thank you for visiting Allergy Insider
Before you go, we'd appreciate your feedback to help us better understand your needs and improve our services.
Create a summary of your allergy symptoms in a downloadable document
Share the summary with your healthcare provider for a productive conversation about allergy blood testing
Gain an optimized diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan
Allergy Symptom Questionnaire
Allergies affect us all differently. This questionnaire will summarize your specific allergy symptoms to share with your healthcare provider and learn more about your testing options.
- Create a summary of your allergy symptoms in a downloadable document
- Share the summary with your healthcare provider for a productive conversation about allergy blood testing
- Gain an optimized diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan
|
Create a summary of your allergy symptoms in a downloadable document |
Create a summary of your allergy symptoms in a downloadable document
|
Share the summary with your healthcare provider for a productive conversation about allergy blood testing |
Share the summary with your healthcare provider for a productive conversation about allergy blood testing
|
Gain an optimized diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan |
Gain an optimized diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan
Purchase the same tests your doctor orders and get insights into your health. Our convenient allergy tests can measure your immune response to common allergies found in the air, in foods and with pets.
Buy your own allergy tests online, anytime. Test for 15 common food allergens and up to 25 common indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens. The same quality lab tests doctors use and recommend, but no doctor visit required for purchase.
Get quality care on your schedule. Our board-certified providers can perform an exam, evaluate your symptoms, and test you for allergies to create a personalized treatment plan.
You are now leaving thermofisher.com and going to a site owned and operated by an independent third party. Thermo Fisher Scientific is not responsible or liable for any content or services of any independent third-party site. Thermo Fisher Scientific does not represent independent third parties or the customer if the two enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies on these sites may differ from those practiced by thermofisher.com. We encourage you to review the policies and terms of all websites you may choose to visit.
You are now leaving thermofisher.com, and going to ondemand.labcorp.com, owned and operated by an independent third party. Thermo Fisher Scientific is not responsible or liable for any content or services of ondemand.labcorp.com. Thermo Fisher Scientific does not represent either Labcorp OnDemand or the customer if the two enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies of ondemand.labcorp.com may differ from those practiced by thermofisher.com. We encourage you to review the policies and terms of all websites you may choose to visit.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Stop wondering, start testing
Get science-backed answers to your allergy questions. Test your body’s immune response to indoor and outdoor allergens like dust and pollen, dog and cat dander and saliva, or to common food allergy triggers including lactose, shellfish and nuts.
- Purchase your test at ondemand.labcorp.com using a credit card or FSA/HSA
- Schedule an appointment at one of our 2,000+ locations to collect your sample
- Get your results quickly online in 2-4 days
VISIT QUESTHEALTH.COM
Health insights you can act on
Get insights about your health, when you want them. Test for 15 common food allergens and up to 25 common indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens. You will have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.
- Visit questhealth.com to purchase your allergy test, no doctor visit required
- Schedule your appointment at a Quest location near you
- Access your results from your phone as soon as they are available
You are now leaving thermofisher.com and going to questdiagnostics.com owned and operated by an independent third party. Thermo Fisher Scientific is not responsible or liable for the content or services of questdiagnostics.com. Thermo Fisher Scientific does not represent either Quest Diagnostics or the customer if the two enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies of questdiagnostics.com may differ from those practiced by thermofisher.com. We encourage you to review the policies and terms of all websites you may choose to visit.
MINUTECLINIC AT CVS
We’re here when you need us
High quality and affordable health care is available on your schedule. Our board-certified providers can perform an exam, evaluate your symptoms, and test you for allergies to create a personalized treatment plan.
Appointments available in-person and virtually 7 days a week, including evenings
- Schedule online, in-person or in the CVS Pharmacy App
- Affordable out of pocket costs
- Most insurance plans accepted
You are now leaving thermofisher.com, and going to cvs.com/minuteclinic, owned and operated by an independent third party. Thermo Fisher Scientific is not responsible or liable for the content or services of cvs.com/minuteclinic. Thermo Fisher Scientific does not represent either MinuteClinic at CVS or the customer if the two enter into a transaction. Privacy and security policies of cvs.com/minuteclinic may differ from those practiced by thermofisher.com. We encourage you to review the policies and terms of all websites you may choose to visit.