Itchy eyes can be caused by allergies, conjunctivitis, or a common cold. Allergies can cause red, watery, and itchy eyes, while conjunctivitis can also cause yellowish discharge, burning sensations, and sensitivity to light. Colds are caused by viruses and can be passed from person to person, while allergies are not contagious and can last for an entire season.
There are many things that can cause itchy eyes. Among the most common are allergies and a condition called conjunctivitis. Some people may also develop itching when they have a common cold. Because these conditions may be similar in some ways, determining the cause of the itch can be confusing. The other symptoms common to these conditions often help distinguish them.
Allergies are among the most common causes of itchy eyes. When a person has an allergy, their eyes can become red, watery, and itchy. A person with allergies may develop other symptoms as well, such as sneezing; a stuffy or runny nose; cough; an itchy rash; and itchy throat or ears. Allergies are not contagious.
Many people develop itchy eyes due to seasonal allergies, but other types of allergies also cause this problem. For example, a person may have itchy eyes due to an allergy to pollen, pollution, or pets. Some people are also allergic to dust and mold. A person may even develop itchy eyes related to a food allergy.
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common causes of itchy eyes. Marked by red, itchy, and irritated eyes, this infection is often caused by a bacteria or virus. It is also sometimes associated with allergies and exposure to irritants. In addition to the general itching and irritation that are similar to the symptoms of an allergy, conjunctivitis can also cause symptoms such as watery eyes, yellowish discharge from the eyes, burning sensations, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Also, pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria is usually contagious.
The common cold can also cause itchy eyes in some cases, which can make it difficult to distinguish a cold from an allergy. However, the two conditions are very different. A cold is caused by a virus and can be passed from person to person while an allergy is not contagious. Similarly, a person may develop fever and aches when they have a cold, but this is unlikely to happen in relation to an allergy.
Colds and allergies also differ in their duration. A cold often persists for about a week or so, but an allergy can last an entire season or affect a person for all four seasons. In some cases, however, an allergy may only produce symptoms when the person is exposed to an allergen, such as a cat and its fur. A cold, on the other hand, will likely produce symptoms even after the person is no longer around the cat or its fur.
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