Got red, itchy, watery eyes? It could be anything from allergies to an infection.

“If pollen counts are high and you are congested or sneezing, you’re likely dealing with allergies,” says Dr. Alex Suda, a family medicine physician with Tidelands Health Pediatrics and Adult Medicine.

As sure as spring follows winter, red and itchy eyes, formally known as allergic conjunctivitis, are part of the package for those of us whose immune systems go into overdrive as pollen and mold spores fill the air.

The good news is that the same over-the-counter medications you may take for sneezing and sinus congestion can also help your eyes.

But itchy, red eyes aren’t always because of allergens. You could have a bacterial infection, such as pink eye, or eye strain from staring at a computer screen all day.

A simple test for what’s causing your discomfort, according to Dr. Suda, is to apply eyedrops to your eyes. Look for over-the-counter drops that say “allergy relief” or one that contains an antihistamine.

If the drops bring relief, you’re set. You’ll likely need to reapply them every few hours as the effect wears off.

If the drops don’t help, or your eyes have white discharge, it’s time to see your doctor.

“If you’re in close contact with children or unaffected by allergens, that could suggest pink eye,” Dr. Suda says. Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid. It is highly contagious and is typically treated with steriods and antibiotics.

Regardless of the cause of your irritated eyes, Dr. Suda recommends not rubbing your eyes, as difficult as that may be. By rubbing your eyes, you’re introducing new irritants, such as bacteria or allergens, back into your already-irritated eyes. The constant rubbing can also break the top corneal layer of your eye, causing pain and possibly leading to an infection.