Issue 14.11
Spring is the most common time of the year for people to experience hay fever. As the weather gets warmer and plants start to bloom, trees and grasses release pollen into the air. This spells misery for the allergy sufferer. However, with a little preparation and simple treatment, spring allergies don’t have to ruin your outdoor activities this year.
Common signs of allergies include:
· Red, swollen or itchy eyes
· Runny nose
· Sneezing and coughing
· Itchy nose, mouth or throat
· Headache from sinus congestion
General Eye Allergy Treatment
Avoidance: The most common “treatment” is to avoid what’s causing your eye allergy – Itchy eyes? Keep your home free of pet dander and dust and keep pets off the furniture. Stay inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air. Wraparound sunglasses can also help shield your eyes from allergens, and always drive with the windows closed.
Medications: If you’re not sure what’s causing your eye allergies, or you’re not having any luck avoiding them, your next step probably will be medication to alleviate the symptoms.
Eye drops are available and will help you find some relief. They may have one or more active ingredients such as antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers that inhibit inflammation. Antihistamines relieve many symptoms caused by airborne allergens, such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants help shrink swollen nasal passages for easier breathing.
With allergies, your body’s release of histamine causes your eyes to water, just as it may cause your nose to run. Decongestants clear up redness. They contain vasoconstrictors, which simply make the blood vessels in your eyes smaller, lessening the apparent redness. In fact, with extended use, the blood vessels can become dependent on the vasoconstrictor to stay small. When you discontinue the eye drops, the vessels actually get bigger than they were in the beginning. This process is called rebound hyperemia, and the result is that your red eyes worsen over time.
Some products have ingredients that act as mast cell stabilizers, which alleviate redness and swelling. Mast cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines. While antihistamines are known for their immediate relief, mast cell stabilizers are known for their long-lasting relief.
Antihistamines, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers are available in pill form, but pills don’t work as quickly as eye drops or gels to bring eye relief.
Check with your doctor for the best treatment for you. In some cases, combinations of medications may be used.
Richens Eye Center understands that allergy related problems are important to address. If you have any questions, need additional suggestions or would like to schedule an appointment you may call 435-652-4040.