About 50 million Americans suffer from different kinds of allergies, and many have eye allergies – this article discusses allergies of the eye and provides valuable information on how to get rid of allergies.
First of all it is important to understand the meaning of allergy. Well, it is an exaggerated reaction by the body immune system in response to certain foreign substances. However, in non-allergic people, these foreign substances are harmless and do not cause any allergic reactions. There are several common allergic conditions that are experienced by people such as food allergies, anaphylaxis, asthma, eczemas and others. In addition, eye allergy is the most common one. It has been estimated that about 50 million Americans suffer from different allergic conditions.
Eye Allergy Causes
Eye allergies can vary from mild to severe conditions. In the primary stage, it starts with irritation of the conjunctiva and this may expand to the inside of the eyelids. Many people are allergic to common things such as dust, mold, pet dander, etc that are present in the environment. These substances are called allergens and may cause itching and swelling in the eyes.
Eye Allergy Symptoms:
It is said that if a disease is diagnosed at the right time, it can be cured. In case of eye allergy, if following symptoms are experienced by a person, then it is time to see a doctor.
- Redness of eyes
- Burning/itching of eyes
- Tearing
- Difficulty in vision
- Mucous production
- Mild swelling of the eyelids
Diagnosis of Eye Allergies
Well, people who are suffering from eye allergies can take a simple quiz to find whether they are allergic or not. Find answers to some simple questions like do allergies exist in your family, do your eyes often burn or itch, have you ever been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, are you allergic to domestic animals such as cats and dogs, etc. If your answer is yes to most of the questions being asked then you might be suffering from eye allergies.
Eye Allergy Treatments
Though medications are available for eye allergies, you can also practice natural methods for the same. Well, the most common allergic agent for eyes is dust – in order to clean the dust, you need to flush out the irritation. This process can be done as and when eye burning starts. However, rose water is considered as most effective home remedy for eye allergies.
In addition, one can take precautions such as stay away during the season when pollen counts are higher, wear sunglasses when going out, keep the home dust free, do not rub your eyes when it irritates, wash your eyes two to three times a day with clean water. These precautions are helpful for people who are allergic to dust and environmental pollutants.
References
Emedicinehealth. “Eye allergies overview,” retrieved on March 15, 2009 from eye allergies.
Allaboutvision. “What causes eye allergies,” retrieved on March 15, 2009 from eye allergies.