When your eyes are exposed to substances like pollen or mold spores, they might become red, itchy, and watery. These are symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation triggered by an allergic reaction to substances like pollen or mold spores.
What is allergic conjunctivitis?
The inside of your eyelids and the covering of your eyeball have a membrane called the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is susceptible to inflammation from irritants, especially during hay fever season. Allergic conjunctivitis is rather typical. It’s your body’s reaction to substances it thinks about possibly damaging.
What are the types of allergic conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis is available in two main types:
Intense allergic conjunctivitis
This is a short-term condition that is more typical during allergic reaction season. Your eyelids all of a sudden swell, itch, and burn. You might also have a watery nose.
Chronic allergic conjunctivitis
A less common condition called chronic allergic conjunctivitis can happen year-round. It is a milder reaction to allergens like food, dust, and animal dander. Typical symptoms come and go however include burning and itching of the eyes and light level of sensitivity.
What causes allergic conjunctivitis?
You experience allergic conjunctivitis when your body tries to protect itself against a perceived threat. It does this in reaction to things that set off the release of histamine. Your body produces this powerful chemical to eliminate off foreign intruders. A few of the compounds that cause this reaction are:
- home dust
- pollen from trees and turf
- mold spores
- animal dander
- chemical scents such as household detergents or perfume
Some individuals might also experience allergic conjunctivitis in reaction to certain medications or compounds dropped into the eyes, such as contact lens service or medicated eye drops.
Conjunctivitis is among the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and grownups. Frequently called “pink eye,” it is a swelling of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the within the eyelid and the white of the eyeball, and helps keep the eyelid and eyeball moist.
Who is at risk for allergic conjunctivitis?
Individuals who have allergies are more likely to establish allergic conjunctivitis. According to the Asthma and Allergic reaction Foundation of America, allergies impact 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children, and frequently run in families.
Allergic reactions affect individuals of any ages, though they are more common in children and young adults. If you have allergies and reside in places with high pollen counts, you are more vulnerable to allergic conjunctivitis.
What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?
Red, itchy, watery, and burning eyes prevail symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. You might also get up in the early morning with puffy eyes.
How is allergic conjunctivitis identified?
Your doctor will analyze your eyes and examine your allergy history. Inflammation in the white of the eye and small bumps inside your eyelids show up signs of conjunctivitis. Your doctor may also order among the following tests:
- An allergic reaction skin test exposes your skin to specific allergens and allows your doctor to examine your body’s response, which might include swelling and soreness.
- A blood test might be suggested to see if your body is producing proteins, or antibodies, to protect itself against specific irritants like mold or dust.
- A scraping of your conjunctival tissue may be required to examine your leukocyte. Eosinophils are leukocyte that end up being activated when you have allergies.
How is allergic conjunctivitis treated?
There are lots of treatment techniques offered for allergic conjunctivitis:
Home care
Treating allergic conjunctivitis at home includes a mix of prevention strategies and activities to reduce your symptoms. To minimize your exposure to allergens:
- close windows when the pollen count is high
- keep your home dust-free
- use an indoor air purifier
- prevent direct exposure to extreme chemicals, dyes, and fragrances
To relieve your symptoms, avoid rubbing your eyes. Using a cool compress to your eyes can also help in reducing swelling and itching.
Medications
In more troublesome cases, home care might not be sufficient. You will have to see a doctor who may advise the following options:
- an oral or over the counter antihistamine to lower or obstruct histamine release
- anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammation eye drops
- eye drops to diminish congested blood vessels
- steroid eye drops
What is the long-lasting outlook?
With appropriate treatment, you can experience relief or a minimum of minimize your symptoms. Repeating direct exposure to irritants, nevertheless, will likely set off the very same symptoms in the future.
How do I avoid allergic conjunctivitis?
Completely avoiding the ecological aspects that cause allergic conjunctivitis can be tough. The best thing you can do is to restrict your direct exposure to these triggers. For instance, if you know that you are allergic to fragrance or family dust, you can aim to lessen your exposure using scent-free soaps and detergents. You may likewise think about setting up an air purifier in your home.
