What Allergens Cause an Allergic Reaction?
Commonly, we know that freshly mowed grass, pollen, and dust can irritate the lungs and eyes, and if you have a pet, then you have hair and dander as well. Plus, some ointments, perfumes, colognes, or makeup might cause an allergic reaction depending on the contents or quality. What's less known is an eye allergy can also be caused by the improper care and replacement of contact lenses.
Also not well know is that, while it is very common for allergic symptoms to come out immediately upon contact with the allergen, it is also possible for an allergic reaction to present itself as much as four days after original contact with an allergen.
Does Removing Allergens Stop the Reaction?
While this is the simplest solution, often, removing the source of the allergic reaction is impractical, impossible, and unnecessary. If you have a pet, one can try their best to remove the pet hair, but more often than not, there's always some around. Dust and pollen are just about everywhere.
For these and other allergies, eye doctors recommend prescription eye drops. Although over the counter drops relieve some of the symptoms, only prescribed eye drops help minimize the effects of the allergens in your environment as a lasting solution.
Many eye drops are formulated as anti-histamines, meaning that they block the histamine, the chemical that causes an allergic reaction, from the body.
How Does Histamine Cause an Allergic Reaction?
Allergic conjunctivitis is the scientific name for having an allergy. It is caused, like any allergic reaction, by a mistaken triggering of your body's immune system. Allergens cause your immune system “panic” causing it to react negatively to things which actually pose no harm to the body at all. Allergens such as pet dander, pollen and dust can trigger this reaction.
Histame is released during an allergic reaction, which makes your eyes dry out and produce more tears. This reaction is meant to flush out foreign objects. The blood vessels in your eyes also become inflamed, which is what gives your eyes their bloodshot look.
What's The Best Solution for My Eye Allergy?
There are a number of other ways thatthese eye drops will work to relieve or prevent allergic symptoms.
However, Artificial tears are an excellent option to relieve dry eye symptoms caused by allergens. These eye drops are specially formulated to imitate the tears that the allergic reaction has dried up. Artificial tears are mostly by prescription and have proven to perform better than over the counter eye drops.
Several other ways to reduce or relieve symptoms exist as well. Wearing sunglasses when stepping outside helps block pollen, dust and other outdoor allergens from getting in your eyes. Contact lenses may also irritate your eyes, so try taking those out if nothing else works. Finally, never rub your eyes while experiencing an allergic reaction. No matter how much they itch, rubbing will irritating your eyes further and make things worse.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be quite varied. You may find that your eyes are red and irritated or itchy, that your eyes are sensitive to light or that your eyelids are swollen. In more severe cases, you may even notice a painful, sore or burning feeling in your eyes or suffer from excessive tearing or a runny nose. You may also experience sneezing and stuffy nose.
For more information, and for help clearing up your eye allergies, contact your eye doctor today.
