Eye allergy is also known as ocular allergy or allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergy occurs when an allergy sensitive substance irritates the eye. Like any other allergies, eye allergy is also initiated by the immune system, where it recognises a harmless substance as an allergen and produce antibodies. These antibodies further releases chemicals, that can irritate the eye, which shows all the symptoms of eye allergic reaction, that include itching in the eyes, producing in the eye, eye become red or swollen.
Most of the eye allergies are seasonal like, allergic rhinitis in hay fever, that are usually caused due to mold spore and pollen. Eye allergy may cause temporary blurriness or even for some extent threat to the eyesight. However, infection can also cause similar symptoms of eye allergies. Hence, one need to be confirmed it with the doctor. Most of the times a cold compress can give you an immediate relief, but for complete relief, you need to identify the exact cause and the allergens and treat the symptoms.
Symptoms of Eye Allergy includes
1) Eye allergies can also occur alone or with other allergies like nasal allergies and the allergic skin.
2) Redness in the white of the eye or the inner eyelid.
3) Itchy and watery eyes, burning sensation, swollen eyelid, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
What should not be done during the Eye Allergies
1) Avoid rubbing the eye, it can make the symptoms more worse. Rubbing may cause to release more chemicals inside the, that cause the eyes to itch during the allergic reaction.
2) Remove the contact lenses out, if you wear them,
3) Avoid eye makeup,
4) Apply cold compresses to your eyes.
5) Wash your hands often.
Covering up Eye Allergy
a) Apply a concealer, that do not produce allergy, to help hide dark circles.
Eye Allergy are Triggered by
a) Most of the eye allergies are seasonal like, allergic rhinitis in hay fever, that are usually caused due to mold spore and pollen.
b) There are some indoor allergens such as pet dander and dust mites can also cause eye allergies year-round. Usually the symptoms worsen during cleaning the house or grooming a pet.
c) Medications and cosmetics can play a significant role in causing eye allergies.
Clean Away Allergens
1) If dust mites trigger the symptoms, change the bedding and pillowcases with a new one. Wash sheets in hot water.
2) Clean floors with a clean and damp mop.
3) If indoor molds trigger the symptoms, regularly clean all the areas where molds can grow, such as bathrooms, basements and kitchens.
4) Keep the humidity levels in the home between 30% and 50%.
Treating Eye Allergies
It is usually treated symptomatically
1) Antihistamines combat symptoms by blocking the effect of chemicals that can trigger the symptoms.
2) Mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of chemicals, that can trigger the symptoms, from mast cells.
3) Decongestant eye drops decreases redness by shrinking the swollen blood vessels in the eyes.
4) Immunotherapy makes the immune system accustom to the allergic substances .
