What noninfectious conditions cause pink eye, what are noninfectious pink eye symptoms, and how are they treated?
Allergic pink eye Allergic pink eye symptoms and signs are usually accompanied by intense itching, tearing, and swelling of the eye membranes. Frequent causes include seasonal pollens, animal dander, and dust. It is frequently seasonal and accompanied by other typical allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose, or scratchy throat. Cold, moist washcloths applied to the eyes and over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops can provide relief. Your doctor can prescribe stronger medications if these remedies are not adequate. Chemical pink eye Chemical pink eye can result when any irritating substance enters the eyes. Common offending irritants are • household cleaners, • sprays of any kind, • smoke, • foreign objects in the eye, • smog, and • industrial pollutants. Prompt, thorough washing of the eyes with very large amounts of water is very important if an irritating substance enters the eye. Your doctor or your local poison control center should be contacted at once, even if you think the
