Allergies cause all sorts of reactions in the human body and can especially affect the eyes, resulting in redness, irritation, and even itchiness. Red eyes can also be caused by conjunctivitis otherwise known as ‘pink-eye’. Pink eye is caused by infections and can spread from person to person if not treated properly. So,do you have allergies or conjunctivitis? In this blog, we’ll explore how allergic and conjunctivitis eyes differ from one another and when you should seek professional care.
For same-day treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our center is open 7 days a week and never requires appointments. If you’d like to plan your visit in advance, save your spot below!
What Is Pink Eye?
Conjunctivitis is the irritation of a membrane known as conjunctiva which is designed to cover the eyelids and the sclera for protection against dust and to moisten them. The eye, at this point, will be transformed into a reddish one, and can be very sore and painful. Such a reddish color deep in the eyes is what leads to this condition, also referred to as pink eye.
This is also referred to as “Apollo” eye infection, and it is more common than you would think. It results from an inflammatory immune response to infections with bacteria or viruses, or an allergen. Out of these three, only viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious, and they also happen to be the most serious and the hardest to get rid of.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis isn’t caused as a result of the conjunctiva coming into direct contact with a viral pathogen, but rather as a result of illnesses caused by viruses. These ailments will cause inflammation or itchiness that can spread to the eye and result in it becoming sore and reddish. Viral conjunctivitis is also well known for being short-term and only lasting as long as the illness responsible for causing it. Here are some of the viral infections that can cause conjunctivitis:
- COVID-19
- Measles
- Influenza
- The common cold
- Mumps
- Cold sores
Signs That You Have Viral Conjunctivitis:
- Itchy eyes
- Reddish or pinkish taint
- Watery discharge
- Vision becomes blurry
- The eye grows more sensitive to light
- Localized tenderness or pain
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes
Bacterial Conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, unlike the viral one, is extremely severe and surprisingly common. It can be either bacterial infections of the sclera or disease due to them, e.g., chlamydia, streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. The symptoms are the same as for virus-induced pink eye, with the following exceptions:
- Heavy crusting on the eye during sleep
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Sensation of objects or movement in the eye
- Heavy discharge of yellowish or whitish fluid
- Puffiness and swelling in the eyelids
Signs That Your Red Eye Is Caused By Allergies
When it comes to red eyes induced by allergies or irritants, which are the most common causes for conjunctivitis, these are symptoms you might notice:
- Puffy eyelids
- Sensation of something in the eye
- Watery discharge
- No swelling in the lymph
- Heavy itchiness in the eye
How To Treat and Prevent The Spread of Conjunctivitis.
- Make use of a cool or warm compress to sooth the smarting eyeballs. This will provide temporary relief from the pain and swelling in the eyelids.
- In the case of irritants induced red eye, you should flush out the irritant with clean warm water to get rid of any toxic irritants stuck in the eye.
- To prevent crust buildup, make use of a clean wash cloth to remove it.
- A common cause of red eye is reduced lubrication of the eye balls and you can use eye drops to help lubricate them enough to expel any irritants and clear the eyes of pathogens.
- When you want to fight bacteria conjunctivitis, antibiotics and antibiotic eye and ointments will help halt the progression of any infection.
- If you wish to avoid ‘Apollo’ eye infection, you should wear eye protection, particularly if working in an area with much dust and other irritants such as smoke and toxic chemicals.
- Be sure to frequently wash and sanitize your hands –particularly when around someone already symptomatic, or if you are symptomatic yourself. Because, if you are not careful, bacteria or viruses can easily get into your eye through your hand.
- Avoid sharing eye protection, eye hygiene items like eye drops and glasses with other people whether they are infected or not. If care isn't taken, conjunctivitis can easily spread like this.
If conjunctivitis is not taken care of seriously, it can easily infect your immediate contacts and lead to further complications down the line. It is especially important to seek urgent care when you have red eyes influenced by toxic irritants or bacteria infections.
Get Walk-In Pink Eye & Allergy Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Livingston
Red, irritated eyes can be caused by both allergies and conjunctivitis, but understanding the differences in symptoms can help you determine the likely cause. However, because the signs can be so similar, it’s best not to self diagnose. If you have red and irritated eyes, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston for same-day treatment. Our medical team is here to provide effective, reliable, and quick care to all patients in the Livingston, NJ area and surrounding communities. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about our services, contact us directly at (973) 601-2626.
