Why is there an allergy in the eyes? How to treat such a pathology? You will receive answers to these questions from the materials in this article.
Basic information
Before telling you how to treat allergies on the eyelids, you should tell what this pathological condition is.
The word "allergy" is of Greek origin. Translated into Russian, the first part of this term means “different”, “alien” or “different”, and the second - “impact”.
Allergy is a hypersensitivity of the human immune system, which manifests itself as a result of repeated exposure of an allergen to an organism previously sensitized by it.
Causes of occurrence
How to treat swollen eyes from allergies? Before answering this question, you should find out why such irritation occurs at all.
According to experts, due to their physiological characteristics, the human visual organs are very vulnerable to the effects of certain allergens. By the way, the latter in large quantities can be in the air. Easily coming into contact with the surface of the eyes and nose, they cause a rather unpleasant sensation.
In addition to the air surrounding the person, other factors can also act as an allergen. Experts believe that the most common of them are: mold, household dust, animal hair, volatile chemicals and plant pollen.
Most often, an allergy in the eyes of children (how to treat such irritation, we will tell below) appears due to dust. This condition is characterized by severe redness of the mucous membrane of the visual organs, as well as burning and itching.
Very often, allergens that penetrate the human body in a different way (for example, along with food, insect bites, drugs, etc.) become the cause of allergic reactions in the eyes.
Often such an unpleasant state is provoked by substances that are in close contact with the skin of the eyelids and the surface of the eyes. As a rule, they include cosmetics (for example, mascara, cream, eye shadow, eyeliner, etc.), as well as medicines intended for the visual organs (drops, ointments, gels, etc.).
Types and symptoms of the disease
How is allergy in the eyes? How to treat this disease? We will answer these questions further.
The types of the disease in question are very numerous and diverse. An allergy can affect not only the skin of the eyelids, but also contribute to the appearance of severe toxic-allergic keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), uveitis (inflammation of the choroid), and also affect the retina and optic nerve. Fortunately, such forms are not very common. Most often, patients have allergic dermatitis of the eyelids, as well as numerous types of conjunctivitis. Consider the features of these diseases in more detail.
Allergic dermatitis
This is a disease of the eyelids. Such an acute reaction of the body manifests itself in response to the use of drugs or cosmetics. Allergic dermatitis is characterized by severe redness and swelling of the skin of the face, as well as papular rashes, accompanied by burning and itching.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Such a disease occurs in a chronic or acute form. In both cases, the person has redness of the eyes, lacrimation, and mucus. Acute allergic conjunctivitis is manifested by conjunctival chemosis, that is, severe edema (vitreous) of the mucous membrane of the eye.
Spring conjunctivitis
This seasonal disease is often called keratoconjunctivitis or spring catarrh. It worsens with the advent of steady heat. The cause of spring conjunctivitis can be an individual characteristic of a person, which is intolerance to large doses of ultraviolet radiation, that is, solar radiation.
Experts also argue that eye allergy to the sun (irritation should be treated only after consulting a doctor) is very rare. It is more likely that the mechanism of such a disease is triggered by allergens of certain plant species. Most often, children (mainly boys) are exposed to spring catarrh. Its course is chronic. In this case, the patient is worried about constant itching, photophobia, as well as lacrimation and the appearance of mucous discharge. Also, for this condition, the following symptoms are characteristic: papillary growths on the conjunctiva of the eyelids, which resemble a pavement paved with cobblestone. Sometimes they appear along the limb, that is, along the very edge of the cornea.
Pollinosis conjunctivitis
Allergy under the eyes should be treated only after identifying its causes. Most often, irritation caused by pollen from flowering plants appears in spring and early summer.
In addition to the general signs of conjunctivitis, the clinical symptoms of hay fever can include the following: sneezing, runny nose, skin reactions and asthma attacks (including bronchial asthma).
This allergy often affects contact lens users. In this case, irritation is caused either by one of the lens components, or by a solution intended for their disinfection.
Volatile chemicals such as deodorant, hair spray, which easily settle on the surface of the lenses, can also contribute to the development of allergies.
Cold irritation
Why does an eye allergy occur in winter? How to treat such reactions? We will answer these questions in this article.
Cold irritation can occur not only in adults, but also in babies. After a long walk on the street, the child often appears: redness and swelling of the skin on the eyelids, itching and peeling, as well as redness of the sclera of the visual organs. Sometimes such a disease is confused with measles or chickenpox. This type of allergic reaction is the response of the defenses of the human body to the cold. It belongs to the pseudo-allergic conditions of the non-immune type.
How is an allergy diagnosed?
Itching eyes - how to treat such an allergic manifestation? Before proceeding with therapy, it is necessary to consult an experienced doctor. After all, only a doctor can determine allergies and exclude the presence of other diseases similar in symptoms.
Establishing the correct diagnosis is based on the clinical picture of the disease and clear history (for example, revealing the seasonality of the appearance, which precedes the symptom, whether there was contact with animals, etc.). Also, the presence of allergies is determined by the number of eosinophils in the blood. In addition, skin tests are used to identify the type of allergen.
Eye allergy: how to treat?
If the substance that causes the allergic reaction is known, then the best way to treat this disease is to completely eliminate it, as well as the subsequent prevention of contact with it. As for the signs of the disease, they can be removed through local or systemic therapy.
Treatment of the disease in question with antiallergic drugs should be carried out only by a doctor after a thorough examination of the patient. Self-medication is extremely dangerous for the health of the latter.
The main drugs designed to eliminate irritation are histamine receptor blockers and mast cell membrane stabilizers. Such agents interfere with the release of elements that cause clinical manifestations of the disease. They can be administered orally (for example, “Zodak” or “Tavegil”) or topically in the form of drops (for example, “Cromohexal”, “Lecrolin”, “Opatanol”).
Also, non-steroidal or corticosteroid drugs that have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and reduce swelling may be recommended to the patient.
Doctors say that corticosteroids in the form of ointments or drops are actively used as a supplement in the complex treatment of chronic processes. It should be remembered that they have some side effects (for example, increase intraocular pressure, lower local immunity, contribute to the state of a "dry" eye, etc.). These drugs include hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment, Dexamethasone, and so on.
Effective Allergy Treatments and Recommendations
Now you know how allergies appear around the eyes. How to treat this ailment?
In order to prevent the attachment of secondary infections along with antihistamines, patients are often prescribed antibacterial eye drops such as Levomycetin, Phloxal, etc.
NSAIDs can only be used in the complex treatment of severe conjunctivitis, uveitis and spring keratoconjunctivitis. To do this, use the drugs "Indocollyr", "Diclofenac" and others.
Also, people who have confirmed allergic reactions in the eyes are often prescribed decongestants. These are vasoconstrictors that reduce swelling and redness of the eyes. Their prolonged use leads to addiction, as well as to the re-occurrence of signs of the disease when the drug is withdrawn. The drugs of this group include such medicines as Vizin, Octilia, Okumetil.
A comprehensive treatment of allergies in the eyes can be carried out through immunotherapy. For this, a previously identified allergen is administered under microscopic doses to the patient’s skin. As a result of such an injection, the human immune system begins to recognize it and ceases to respond to it. Unfortunately, this method is not applicable to all known allergens. In addition, it is not always effective.
Is it possible to treat folk remedies?
Treatment of eye allergies with folk remedies is one of the most popular ways to combat this disease. To eliminate irritation, many people use various herbs and decoctions. However, this method should be treated with extreme caution, since these substances are also allergens.
It should be noted that folk recipes can include diet and bowel cleansing.