How do you know if you have an eye infection or just bad alergies?

Question

I'm a teenager and I've never really had alergies before. For a couple of weeks now my eyes have been moderately bloodshot and kind of dry , but I thought that this was due to my contacts that I wear almost every day. Today my eyes were almost completely pink from the bloodshotness and I went to the school nurse adn she told me to go to the doctor. But my parents think they know better and just gave me a claritin which I have taken about 8 hours ago and my eyes are still irritated and pink. They are also VERY sensetive to light...

Answer 1

If you haven't tried some Pink-Eye (conjunctivitis) eye drops (Polysporin or Visine), then do so now. If that doesn't work GO SEE A DOCTOR!! They will be able to tell you for sure whether this is just an allergy or if your eyes are infected. I'd stop taking the allergy medicine now, as you should have already responded if this was indeed an allergy. Use some eye drops for a day or so,and if no luck then I really would get them checked out. Also, if you have glasses, I'd wear them for the next little while until your eyes heal, and also so you can use medicated eye drops, as that isn't recommended with contacts.

Good luck and I hope all goes well.