Kids with acute allergic conjunctivitis (kon-junk-tih-VY-tis) get red, swollen, itchy, and watery eyes soon after being around something they're allergic to (for example, cut grass or cat dander). With treatment and avoiding what caused the reaction, symptoms usually get better within about 24 hours.

• If you know what caused the conjunctivitis, help your child avoid it.
• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for giving any medicines, including eye drops.
• If your child wears contact lenses, make sure they don't use them until the health care provider says it's OK.
• Encourage your child not to rub the eyes, because this can make symptoms worse.
• Apply cool compresses (a clean washcloth soaked in water) to the eye area for comfort.

Your child:

• has redness that gets worse 
• has a lot of swelling around the eyes
• has yellow or green discharge coming from one or both eyes
• doesn't feel better after following the health care provider's instructions

What causes acute allergic conjunctivitis? Many things can cause acute allergic conjunctivitis, including dust, animal dander, pollen, and perfumes.

Is conjunctivitis the same as pinkeye? Yes, conjunctivitis is sometimes called pinkeye. This is because the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) is inflamed and looks pink or red. Different things can cause pinkeye, including allergies, bacteria, or viruses.