What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?

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Both eyes are usually affected and symptoms tend to develop quickly.
The eyes are usually itchy, and the whites of the eyes look red or pink.
A burning feeling may occur, but the eyes are not usually painful.
The eyelids tend to swell.
The eyes water more than usual, but do not become too 'gluey' as in infective conjunctivitis.
Vision is not usually affected.
In severe cases the conjunctiva under the upper eyelids may swell and look lumpy.

What is the treatment for allergic conjunctivitis?

Not treating is an option if symptoms are mild.
Avoid the cause of the allergy if possible. For example, in the hay fever season stay indoors as much as possible, close windows, wear 'wrap around' sunglasses when out, etc.
Bathing the eyes with a flannel soaked in cold water may ease symptoms for a short while.
Eye drops that reduce inflammation are often prescribed. There are different types. They usually work well (although they may not work so well for giant papillary conjunctivitis.) You need to use the drops regularly to keep symptoms away until the cause of the allergy goes. Some people find one type works better than another. Therefore, if the first does not work so well, a switch to another may help. If your eyelids are very swollen, it may take several days for the drops to fully ease symptoms.
Antihistamine tablets. You can take these to ease the general symptoms of hay fever. However, they may not work as well as eye drops to ease the eye symptoms.
Steroid eye drops are rarely needed or used. Steroids are good at reducing inflammation. However, they should only be used if other treatments fail. They are normally only used under the supervision of an eye specialist as infection and other causes of conjunctivitis need to be definitely ruled out. (Steroids can make some other eye conditions worse.)
Contact lenses. In general, do not wear lenses until symptoms have gone, and for 24 hours after the last dose of any eye drop or ointment. However, your doctor or optometrist will advise if you can wear lenses with certain types of eye drops. If the lens was related to the cause of the allergy (giant papillary conjunctivitis - see above) then improved lens hygiene or a change in lens type may be advised once the symptoms have settled.