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Allergic Conjunctivitis - Allergy Eye Information

Allergy eyes or allergic conjunctivitis is the irritation of the conjunctiva, or covering of the eyeball, as a reaction to an allergic substance to which one is sensitive. Allergic conjunctivitis, which is not contagious, causes one's eyes to become watery, red, swollen, itchy and often painful. This condition, which is also known as allergy eyes, may either immediately impact a person, or affect them after a period of time.

There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis, seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis affects people during specific seasons of the year while perennial allergic conjunctivitis impacts people throughout the year. Allergic conjunctivitis can cause much discomfort due to the symptoms listed above. In addition, untreated allergic conjunctivitis may cause someone to frequently rub his/her eyes, which could lead to permanent eye damage.

Causes of Allergic Conjunctivitis

As noted, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. A person develops the condition when exposed to an allergic or sensitive substance, also known as an allergen. Trees, grass, weeds and flowers release the allergen pollen into the air. During the spring and autumn months, pollen levels are at their highest. The allergen mould is also released through the air, from substances such as leaves, grass and hay. It can also develop in damp atmospheres within the home, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

A dog or cat's dander, or skin flakes, as well as its saliva and urine can be powerful allergens. Although the actual hair of a pet is not considered a powerful allergen itself, the pet's hair or fur can collect mold, pollen and dust.

Dust mites, tiny bugs that are related to spiders and ticks, also cause allergic conjunctivitis. Cleanliness and moisture levels, among other factors, have an impact on the amount of dust mites that may be found in your home.

Pollution is commonly associated with allergic conjunctivitis. While it comes in many forms, air pollution, such as the type released from cars and factories, is commonly one of the more powerful types of contamination linked to allergic conjunctivitis. Be sure to read more about allergic conjunctivitis causes.

Allergic Conjunctivitis - Preventing the Condition

In order to prevent allergic conjunctivitis, one should attempt to identify which allergens cause the symptoms. Once the specific types are pinpointed, one should then attempt to avoid them by taking the necessary precautions. Staying indoors when mould and pollen levels are high, vacuuming the house to lift pet hair, pet dander and dust mites are some examples of actions one can take to avoid or minimize allergic conjunctivitis reactions. If you find that these techniques are insufficient in preventing or combating allergic conjunctivitis, it may be necessary to consider medical treatments to relieve your itchy, red, watery eyes.

Eye Allergy Symptoms and Indications

Millions of people worldwide suffer from eye allergies, yet the condition is often not properly identified or treated. This condition is commonly overlooked because people are unaware of the various eye allergy symptoms. It is important to identify and treat allergic eye symptoms, as they can be very painful. Furthermore, eye allergies can lead to permanent eye damage due to excessive scratching or rubbing. Thus, the failure to identify the eye condition, allergy eyes, could have a permanent affect on your vision. This information identifies many eye allergy symptoms with the intent of providing information for those who suffer from eye problems.

Eye Allergy Symptoms – The Main Indications

While there are several eye allergy symptoms, some of the warning signs are more prevalent than others. The most common eye allergy symptoms include itching, stinging and burning of the eyes. Other common eye allergy symptoms include redness and tearing of the eyes. As noted, these are the most common indications experienced by those who suffer from the condition. These eye allergy symptoms can emerge alone, or paired with others.

Eye Allergy Symptoms – Other Signals

Above and beyond the eye allergy symptoms mentioned above, there are other telltale signs to indicate that someone may be suffering from allergy eyes. These eye allergy symptoms include:

  • Blurred, hazy, or unclear vision
  • A scratchy feeling in the eye
  • Swelling of the eyeball
  • Increased sensitivity to light, also known as photophobia
  • The sensation that something is in the eye
  • Swelling or puffing of the inner eyelids
  • Redness of the inner eyelids
  • Ocular pain.

Bear in mind that like the main eye allergy symptoms, the above warning signs may appear unaccompanied by, or coupled with, other indicators. Depending on the intensity of the eye allergy symptoms, you may want to consult your doctor, eye specialist or pharmacist for treatment information. There are prescription treatments available to help you manage your symptoms and prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

 

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