If you are among the countless Americans with eye allergies, then you understand how irritating they can be. While allergic reactions might affect just your eyes, more frequently nasal allergy symptoms are also present, such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, and breathing symptoms.
If you resemble many allergic reaction patients, you treat your nasal and respiratory allergic reaction symptoms and neglect your itchy, red, watery eyes. Nevertheless, treating your eye symptoms is not impossible.
Can Allergies Cause Vision Blurry?
Quick answer is Yes. In persons with eye allergic reactions, the body immune system overreacts to an irritant and produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that cause mast cells to launch histamine and other chemicals, which results in an allergic reaction. The reaction often manifests as:
- Redness
- Swelling or puffiness
- Irritation
- Tearing, or watery eyes
- Pain, burning, or pain in one or both eyes
Although eye allergies are extremely unpleasant and troublesome, your vision is typically unaffected. Some people might have temporary blurred vision. Symptoms generally last for a number of hours after you are no longer in contact with the allergen.
You must be aware that symptoms of eye allergic reactions can look like those of lots of eye infections. In people with eye allergies, both eyes are normally affected, whereas an eye infection may affect just one eye. If you’ve never had eye allergies however all of a sudden have itchy, red, and swollen eyes, it is best to contact your doctor.
How Can I Relieve My Eye Allergies?
It has been approximated that about 40 percent of the population in the United States have ocular allergy symptoms. Eye allergies regularly take place in combination with nasal allergic reactions (allergic rhinitis). Lots of patients who seek their doctor’s assistance concerning their allergies are dealt with for both nasal and eye symptoms. If you are experience a signs of eye allergies including blurred vision – it is a time to follow up with proper treatment.
Eye allergies can be treated with among numerous various medications, or a mix of medications, depending upon the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and general health. These medications consist of:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines in the form of eye drops can supply quick relief of symptoms. They are used to the eyes two times or 3 times a day. Some people prefer taking antihistamines by mouth. These are typically taken as soon as a day. Antihistamines block the results of histamines that are produced by the body when the body immune system reacts to a foreign compound.
Antihistamines can decrease eye allergy symptoms along with nasal symptoms, but they typically cause sleepiness. It is essential to avoid owning or operating heavy machinery when taking an antihistamine.
Mast cell stabilizers
You will have to take this medicine for a period of time prior to any advantageous impact emerges. Nevertheless, the impacts last much longer than those of antihistamines, which offer temporary relief of symptoms. Frequently an antihistamine is taken at the exact same time as the mast cell stabilizer until the mast cell stabilizers begin to work. These agents are frequently recommended as eye drops.
A mast cell stabilizer decreases the release of inflammation-causing chemicals from mast cells; therefore preventing the release of histamine.
Corticosteroids
This treatment is used just in patients with severe symptoms. Corticosteroids minimize swelling and inhibit the body’s immune action. Corticosteroids can be advantageous in particular scenarios, however long-term use is generally avoided due to the fact that it can result in negative effects.
Is There a Way to Prevent Eye Allergies?
You can avoid and handle eye allergic reactions by doing the following:
- Prevent the irritant when possible
- Refrain from wearing your contact lenses up until symptoms have cleaned up entirely
- Stop rubbing your eyes
- Use an air cleaner in your home
- Keep your eyes clean
