Though the symptoms are usually all similar no matter the cause, pink eye is not always caused by the same thing. In fact, it is not even always caused by an infection. Though viral pink eye is the most common type, the causes of pink eye vary, and each one tends to have a different treatment. For this reason, it is helpful to learn about the different causes of pink eye and what to do for each one.
Pink Caused by Infection
This is the most common type, but the infection can be either a virus or bacteria. Both kinds are contagious and feature discharge, itchiness, and redness of the eyes. However, viral pink eye is more common, and has clear discharge, often occurs in both eyes, and cannot be treated with medicine.
On the other hand, bacterial pink eye can be treated with antibiotics. Also, this kind often only affects one eye, and has yellow or green discharge, with dried discharge making the eyes stick shut in the mornings. Of course, both viral and bacterial pink eye are usually picked up from germs, which means that you likely touched someone or something with this infection on it if you have either type of pink eye.
Pink Eye Caused by Other Factors
Allergic pink eye is one type that is caused by something other than infection, as it is usually caused by a substance that you are allergic to. If your eyes are red, watery, and itchy, and you notice overall sinus congestion, think about what you may have touched recently that would cause this reaction. Avoiding the item that you are allergic to tends to make allergic pink eye disappear quickly.
Other causes of pink eye include chemicals that are not meant to get into your eye. Contact with any chemical can make your eyes red and irritated, but the symptoms should go away shortly after you stop contact with the offending substance. Dry eyes may get the same reaction when it is windy or particularly dry outside, but similar to the allergic and chemical forms of pink eye, this type usually disappears once the irritant goes away.