Allergies vs. an Eye Infection: How to Tell the Difference

It’s that time of year again. The world is in bloom, and summer’s coming our way. Still, springtime allergies often linger on the temperate islands of Hawaii. 

If your eyes have seemed red, irritated, or watery, you might be wondering if seasonal allergies are to blame — or if you’re up against something else. If the issue seems localized to your eyes, it could be an infection. 

If you’re not sure and want an answer fast, come see Dr. Endo and our team at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates. At our office in Aiea, Hawaii, Dr. Endo can evaluate your eyes to see if you’re dealing with an infection or allergies. Either way, he can help you develop a treatment plan to address any uncomfortable symptoms. 

Comparing allergy and eye infection symptoms

Some eye infections are pretty clear. If you get a stye, for example, you’ll probably be able to identify it by its telltale pimple-like bump. 

Other eye infections can present a lot like allergies, though. With allergies, your eyes might itch, look red, or appear swollen. You might feel a gritty sensation in your eyes or notice that they’re extra watery. 

Let’s compare that against common eye infections. 

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Both pink eye and allergies can cause red eyes, swollen eyelids, or a gritty sensation in your eye. 

There are some symptoms that set conjunctivitis apart, though. If the issue started with only one eye looking red or you’re dealing with discharge, it could be pink eye. 

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an infection that affects your eyelids. Both this issue and allergies can cause puffy, irritated eyes. If you notice crusting or skin flakes on your eyelids, though, it’s more likely to be blepharitis. 

Orbital cellulitis

With orbital cellulitis, a bacterial infection affects the soft tissues of your eye. Like allergies, it can cause eye swelling and redness. 

Watch out for symptoms like eye pain or vision impairment, though. Those could indicate that it’s orbital cellulitis. This condition needs prompt attention to prevent long-term vision issues. 

A good comparison tool: Check for other symptoms

Clearly, many allergy symptoms overlap with eye infection symptoms. To differentiate between the two, it helps to zoom out. 

Do you have symptoms beyond your eyes, like sneezing, a runny nose, or an itchy throat? All of those make it likely that your eye problem is due to allergies. 

Getting the care your eyes need

Whether you’re dealing with an eye infection or allergies, Dr. Endo and our team can help. 

With eye infections, Dr. Endo prescribes treatment to resolve the infection (e.g., antibiotics to clear bacterial infections). If you or a family member has a contagious eye infection, we can also give you guidance to help limit its spread in your household and beyond. 

If you’re dealing with allergies, we can help you develop mechanisms to minimize your symptoms. That might mean taking allergy medication, using eye drops, or adopting lifestyle changes. 

For eye care to alleviate your symptoms, call our office at 808-774-3838 to schedule an appointment today.