Spring Allergies & Eyes – Treatment and Prevention
It is a very common phenomenon now, when the season is changing and we are entering spring, to face various diseases in our eyes. A fairly large portion of adults as well as children, every spring face various problem with their eyes, such as irritations, redness, tears, itching or a burning sensation, causing them intense discomfort for days. It is estimated that up to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children suffer from seasonal allergies Allergy, as defined by Janeway's Immunobiology, “is the pathological condition in which the body reacts to harmless environmental substances, called allergens”. As we have already entered spring, we list the most common spring allergies as well as some ways to deal with them, so that you can enjoy the spring season as beautifully as possible.
Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common seasonal allergies we face in the spring. This allergy is caused by pollen circulating in the atmosphere and is quite common at the beginning of spring. Among the most common symptoms of this seasonal allergy are itching, redness in the eyes, burning as well as the production of a clear liquid from our eyes. Many times, the burning and itching sensation is so intense and bothersome that many people rub their eyes frequently, thus increasing the risk of infection. At the same time, someone suffering from this allergy may experience intense dark circles under the eyes as well as intense sensitivity to bright light and swollen eyelids. Furthermore, someone who suffers from this allergy may experience sneezing in addition to the above symptoms.
Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis
This allergy is an allergy of a similar nature to conjunctivitis, which occurs mainly in children, usually boys at the age of 3-4 years and subsides in adolescence. It starts in the spring, with the first pollen in the atmosphere, and several times, it may last until the fall! Its symptoms are similar to seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, including severe itching, tearing and severely swollen eyelids. It is worth noting that it can also have complications in the cornea of the eye, sometimes resulting in a permanent – more serious – vision problem. Prevention and treatment There are various solutions to treat the above allergies. The simple - more everyday - solutions are the use of cold compresses, the regular external washing of the eyes with plenty of water as well as internal moisturizing of the eyes with lubricating tears. Of course, in cases where the symptoms are quite intense or do not subside, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist, who may be able to administer various other drugs, such as antihistamines to treat allergies, as well as drugs that stabilize the mammary cells, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or mild corticosteroids, the well-known cortisone.