Is allergy induced pink eye contagious?!
Question: I have had Pink eye before. I did go to the doc 2 weeks ago and told me Pink Eye can b induced by a cold in the sinuses and even allergies. She believes it was allergy. It was finally gone by last weekend, but then by the mid week last week it appeared once again. They gave me more of the same meds.
Plus at night it seems to be worse, very red, itchy watery etc. Does this sound right for allergy induced pink eye?
Answers: I have had Pink eye before. I did go to the doc 2 weeks ago and told me Pink Eye can b induced by a cold in the sinuses and even allergies. She believes it was allergy. It was finally gone by last weekend, but then by the mid week last week it appeared once again. They gave me more of the same meds.
Plus at night it seems to be worse, very red, itchy watery etc. Does this sound right for allergy induced pink eye?
No - allergy-induced pink eye is not contagious.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can occur from a bacterial infection, a viral infection or from an allergic reaction. If the infection is deemed to be from a bacterial or viral infection... it is contagious. Pink eye resulting from allergies is not contagious because allergies are an immune system reaction to something that the body considers to be harmful even though it may not be to the general population (for example... peanuts).
If you already have other allergies... such as hay fever, mold, cats/dogs or dust... then it is likely your pink eye is from an allergy. Itchiness and tearing and redness in BOTH eyes are common symptoms of an allergic reaction... there may be a mucus-like discharge but NOT a pus-like discharge. Often... some swelling of the lid occurs and the conjunctiva (the outer most layer of the eye) may also appear slightly swollen or puffy, like it's been puffed up with water. An itchy, runny nose may also accompany the reaction.
Viral and Bacterial conjunctivitis usually start in one eye and may spread to the other eye. As a bacterial infection progresses, a pus-y discharge (stringy, goopy, yellowish or greyish discharge from the eyes) will develop and there is also an extreme gritty feeling...like sand in your eyes. A viral infection is usually a watery discharge and may be itchy.... and usually associated with another viral infection such as a cold.
If it is allergic-based... your meds should ONLY consist of anti-inflammatories, anti-histamines and artificial tears and maybe steroid eye drops but only if it is chronic and severe.
As a side-note.... if you get cold sores.... you can also get a herpes-based conjunctivitis. The eyes go very red and watery, it starts in one eye, clears up and then moves to the other. It is somewhat painful, itchy and you may be more light-sensitive.... symptoms tend to present more so towards the end of the day (as you get tired).
"pinkeye" is not a diagnosis but a symptom, with allergies the eyes are red, itchy, sometimes swollen and they water. Sounds like allergies. This is a reaction you have to whatever you are allergic to so it is something unique to you and therefore cannot be contagious. If a "pinkeye" is caused by a bacterial or viral infection that can be contagious.