The Problems With Eye Allergy

Eye allergy is not necessarily a disease in itself. Allergies can often give ocular symptoms. Especially spring allergies, like hayfever or the allergy to weed pollen can result in teary, itchy eyes, or even can cause your eyes to get red and swollen, congestion which can be extremely unpleasant. So it is possible that you get ocular symptoms without actually suffering from an eye allergy, but from another type of allergic reaction.

Why Allergy Occurs

We are built to defend ourselves from natural enemies. Each time an enemy enters our body, it’s immune system triggers an attack to neutralize and eliminate the danger. In case of allergic persons, the body sees inoffensive substances like pollen, mold or dust like they were sworn enemies of the body, so it tries to defend itself by triggering what we call allergic reactions. The chemicals which help your body defend itself are histamines, and their presence in big numbers leads to allergy symptoms like oedema, itchiness, irritation, urticaria, sneezing or chocking.

There are many possible allergens, substances that can trigger an allergic reaction. Most allergens guilty for eye symptoms are airborne. Pollen gone with the wind, mold from our basements, dust which is everywhere, and animal dander (small, exfoliated skin particles) are the allergens that merely affect the eyes, triggering those unpleasant symptoms. These are also the factors which can lead to an eye allergy, bothering you and decreasing your life quality because of the annoying symptoms.

If not treated, an eye allergy can easily lead to a condition called allergic conjunctivitis, which has as a result the inflammation and irritation of the eye tissue, and which will occur every time the allergic patient is exposed to the allergen which caused the condition.

Relief for Irritated Eyes

As there is no cure for eye allergy (not for any other kind of allergy), if you cannot stay away from the allergens which cause you pain, here’s what you could do to minimize the damage:

1. After consulting your doctor, take some over the counter local medication, like artificial tears, or liquid antihistamine products, and put them in your eyes.

2. Consult pollen bulletins (on internet or on the TV news) and stay inside your home during their peak days, if you can. It is very important not to expose yourself particularly in the afternoon and in the evening, as that’s the most dangerous moment of the day in the respect of the eye allergy triggers present in the air.

3. Get yourself an air filter which will keep part of the allergen particles away from you.

4. Take antihistamine medication as a prevention means, starting a few weeks before the pollen season comes. Always ask your doctor when you want to take any drugs, even if they are sold without prescription.

Under no circumstances should you take advice you find either on the internet or in health magazines. Your physician knows best what you need, so you need to ask him for advice on anything that you’ve read or heard and you might want to try. Allergy is merciless and your eyes are too fragile to allow them get damaged just because you acted foolishly.

Categories: Eye Allergy
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How To Wear Contact Lenses In The Allergy Season

The allergy seasons are a real challenge, especially if you wear contact lenses. A chronic allergy to mold, pet dander or other environmental allergens can create a year-round dilemma. No matter what the cause, seasonal allergies make your eyes hypersensitive and irritated. Ordinary soft contact lenses often make them feel even worse.

There’s a lot you can do to reduce the misery of allergy season. Keep your contacts as clean as you can whether you have to use lubricating drops to rinse your eyes out
regularly. Remove your contacts and clean them in a solution throughout the day, if they are not ‘one-per-day’ type lenses.

Allergy induced conjunctivitis, a condition that causes painful swelling and redness of the eyes, can make wearing your contacts a real pain. If this becomes a real issue, it’s best to consult your optometrist. Disposable lenses allow you a more comfortable lens that you can trash at the end of the day. You’ll have no more worries about making sure all the dust and pollen has been removed or cleansed.

Other ways to get relief are simple. During allergy season, contact lens wearers should close the windows in their cars and houses and use the air conditioner. Air conditioner filters often remove most of the annoying pollens and dust from the air. Avoid doing a lot of lawn work or outdoor
activities in the mornings and early afternoon, because pollens are usually at their highest levels at that time.

Don’t mow or rake the lawn without protective eyewear and a dust mask when your allergies are at their worst. If you’ve been outside or doing similar work, wash your hands frequently to avoid transferring pollens, dusts or molds close to your eyes.

Washing your hair everyday and your face two or three times
a day also helps reduce the amount of transferable pollen and dust.

Allergies are an unfortunate condition for some people and there are a number of allergy medicines that can help
reduce and in some cases even eliminate the symptoms. When contact lenses are involved, a little prevention can help reduce the amount of irritation or discomfort you might be feeling. If it doesn’t, remember to always speak to your doctor for a diagnosis or prescription that could help.

Discover important advice and information about contact lenses. Are soft or hard best? What’s the best cleaning solutions? For a comprehensive guide, Click http://www.contact-lenses-special.com/disposable-contact-lenses.html

Categories: Allergy Tips, Eye Allergy
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