27 years
Everytime I wake up I have red pained eyes knowing that I have allergy and I take untihistamin but still nothing changed :(
Sep 3, 2014
Eye allergy, also known as allergic conjunctivitis or ocular allergy, results from irritation of the conjunctiva by something you are allergic to. The conjunctiva is the delicate membrane covering the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
As is the case with all allergies, allergic conjunctivitis is triggered when the immune system identifies an otherwise harmless substance as an allergen. The immune system responds by an overreaction, and produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin (IgE). These antibodies stimulate cells to release chemicals which cause an allergic reaction. As a result, eyes will water, itch, hurt or become red or swollen.
The most common causes of allergic conjunctivitis are seasonal allergens such as pollen and mold spores. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) normally notice that their symptoms get exacerbated when they go outdoors on days with high pollen counts.
Indoor allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander, can also cause eye allergies all year long. If you suffer from this type of allergy, you may notice your symptoms are aggravated by certain activities such as cleaning your house or grooming a pet.
The eye symptoms can occur in isolation or concomitantly with allergic rhinitis (nasal symptoms). They typically appear shortly after exposure to the allergen.
Symptoms resulting from seasonal outdoor allergens tend to more severe than if your symptoms are due to indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet dander.
Symptoms are usually reduced by taking allergy medications such as antihistamines, which suppress the allergic reaction.
The most essential measure to secure relief from annoying eye allergy symptoms is a to accurately determine what is causing your symptoms and decide on the best treatment approach.
If indoor allergens are causing your eye allergy symptoms, avoidance is the key to relief. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust in your home, or keeping pets out of the bedroom to reduce exposure to their dander is recommended.
If pollen and other seasonal allergens are behind your symptoms, you may find it helpful to abide by the following steps:
-Wear a hat with a wide brim when you go outside to reduce the amount of allergen that blows into the eyes.
-Sunglasses can also help reduce the amount of allergen that lands in the eyes.
-Apply saline eye drops to the eyes after being outdoors to wash away allergens from the ocular lining.
-Over-the-counter antihistamine pills and eye drops are often used for short-term treatment of eye allergy symptoms. Remember though, prolonged use of some eye drops may actually make your symptoms worse.
-Corticosteroid eye drops are effective, but they have serious side effects, even when used only for a short time, as they increase the risk of side effects, such as glaucoma (increased ocular pressure), cataracts and infection.
-Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be very effective in providing long-term resistance to the triggering allergens.
As is the case with all allergies, allergic conjunctivitis is triggered when the immune system identifies an otherwise harmless substance as an allergen. The immune system responds by an overreaction, and produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin (IgE). These antibodies stimulate cells to release chemicals which cause an allergic reaction. As a result, eyes will water, itch, hurt or become red or swollen.
The most common causes of allergic conjunctivitis are seasonal allergens such as pollen and mold spores. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) normally notice that their symptoms get exacerbated when they go outdoors on days with high pollen counts.
Indoor allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander, can also cause eye allergies all year long. If you suffer from this type of allergy, you may notice your symptoms are aggravated by certain activities such as cleaning your house or grooming a pet.
The eye symptoms can occur in isolation or concomitantly with allergic rhinitis (nasal symptoms). They typically appear shortly after exposure to the allergen.
Symptoms resulting from seasonal outdoor allergens tend to more severe than if your symptoms are due to indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet dander.
Symptoms are usually reduced by taking allergy medications such as antihistamines, which suppress the allergic reaction.
The most essential measure to secure relief from annoying eye allergy symptoms is a to accurately determine what is causing your symptoms and decide on the best treatment approach.
If indoor allergens are causing your eye allergy symptoms, avoidance is the key to relief. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust in your home, or keeping pets out of the bedroom to reduce exposure to their dander is recommended.
If pollen and other seasonal allergens are behind your symptoms, you may find it helpful to abide by the following steps:
-Wear a hat with a wide brim when you go outside to reduce the amount of allergen that blows into the eyes.
-Sunglasses can also help reduce the amount of allergen that lands in the eyes.
-Apply saline eye drops to the eyes after being outdoors to wash away allergens from the ocular lining.
-Over-the-counter antihistamine pills and eye drops are often used for short-term treatment of eye allergy symptoms. Remember though, prolonged use of some eye drops may actually make your symptoms worse.
-Corticosteroid eye drops are effective, but they have serious side effects, even when used only for a short time, as they increase the risk of side effects, such as glaucoma (increased ocular pressure), cataracts and infection.
-Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be very effective in providing long-term resistance to the triggering allergens.
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