Information on Eye Allergies

Many eye allergies often go unrecognized for a long period of time till the symptoms get so bad that the person suffering from them needs to consult a doctor and eye allergy relief must be prescribed (such as prescription drugs).

Eye allergies occur in the same way as any allergy and can sometimes even be caused by the same situations as for example hay fever and pollen allergies. The eyes react to a substance that the body interprets as potentially harmful, even if this is not the case. In response to this 'attack' the body produces antibodies, causing the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Eye allergies are often hereditary and can surface at any age. Dust that can be completely harmless to most people might cause an allergy symptom in sensitive people, resulting in a proper allergy for which allergy eye relief is needed.

Can Eye Allergies Trigger Other Problems?

If eye allergies go unnoticed or are not treated properly they can cause more severe problems that will need serious medical attention. Some of these problems are:

Conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is the thin layer of membrane that surrounds the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis is the name for the inflammation of this membrane, its common name being pink eye. This condition is caused by a virus or bacteria and can sometimes be an eye allergy symptom. Usually allergies to dust, pollen or chemicals cause this condition.

The condition can also be triggered by wearing contact lenses or viral and bacterial infections.

Asthma

The inflammation of the eyes, or allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye caused by an allergy) is linked to other allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, rhinitis (blocked or runny nose) and asthma. If a person suffers from asthma they are more likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis at some point.

Causes of Eye Allergies

The air around us is filled with potential allergens (particles causing potentially allergic reactions). These particles come in contact with the eyes and the nose and especially airborne particles might cause an allergy symptom. Examples of causes of eye allergies:

Airborne allergens like pollen, mold and dust may cause an allergic reaction that is mostly noticed by its effect on the eyes. Itchy and red eyes, and a feeling as if sand or something else might have ended up in the eye describe the effect that these allergens have on an allergic person.
Types of food that someone is allergic to may also cause an allergic reaction of the eyes, and often symptoms like itchy eyes or red eyes alert a patient to a latent food allergy. In this case eye allergy drops will take away the symptoms but not the cause, unless the food allergy is treated too.
Bee StingsHistamines (antibodies) are released by the skin as a reaction to a bee sting. As with any other allergy the body tries to get rid of the potentially dangerous cause (in this case a bee sting) and the histamine bring about allergic reactions in the eyes, and possibly in the nose and throat or on the skin.

Continue to: Diagnosis of Eye Allergies

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