Our bodies have an immune system that protects it from bacterial and virus attacks with the help of antibodies. An allergic condition happens when our immune system reacts to harmless substances like pollen, mites, medicine, or a food product as if it was harmful to our body. These results in reactions like nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, or even trouble breathing. Allergic reactions normally happen with the second exposure to the product. While mild reactions can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications, the more severe reactions like anaphylactic ones have to be treated emergently in the hospital.
Common Symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis happens when our immune system reacts to our eyes being exposed to pollen or mold. There is eye inflammation with watery and itchy eyes. The conjunctiva which covers the eyeballs and the inside of our eyelids reacts to allergens during hay fever season when trees release their pollen. The most common allergic conjunctivitis signs are runny nose along with red eyes that swell suddenly and become itchy and burning. Light sensitivity and puffy eyes are also other symptoms. Acute allergic conjunctivitis happens during allergy season whereas the chronic version happens throughout the year with exposure to animal dander, food, or dust.
General Causes of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms occur very commonly with exposure to animal dander, household dust, mold spores, tree or grass pollen, and reaction to chemical scents like room sprays and perfumes. Contact lenses solutions or eye drops can also lead to allergic reactions. Allergies are genetic and signs of allergic conjunctivitis happen in patients who already have allergies. Diagnosis is made on the basis of your allergy history along with visual examination of the eye. This usually reveals the white of your eyes being red and small bumps inside the eyelids. Allergy skin tests, blood tests, and testing of scrapings of conjunctival tissue can also confirm the diagnosis.
