Many fear the arrival of spring because they associate it with one of the most uncomfortable times of the year. Allergies are becoming more common and their symptoms go beyond sneezing and itchy nose. Allergic conjunctivitis also tends to be more intense during this season of the year.
For this reason, we give you some useful tips to prevent it with the help of Dr. María Capote, an ophthalmologist at Hospital La Milagrosa.
What is allergic conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the membrane that covers the surface of the eye. Being allergic, it occurs because you have been close to something that causes allergy, that is, you have been exposed to an allergen.
Why is there more conjunctivitis in spring?
- In spring, allergic conjunctivitis is more frequent because it is the time of year in which the pollination of grasses and olive trees occurs. There are many people who are allergic to these types of pollens, which ends up taking its toll on their eyes.
- However, allergic conjunctivitis can also be chronic, that is, it is always there even though it peaks at different times of the year. In these cases, it is common for the main allergen to be the mites that fill our homes.
Tips to prevent allergic conjunctivitis
- Although there are no miraculous techniques, these 8 guidelines can be followed to prevent allergic conjunctivitis and make its symptoms milder.
- 1The best way to suffer allergic conjunctivitis less intensely is to reduce contact with what gives us a reaction, as far as possible. To identify what gives you an allergy, the tests carried out by allergists are very useful.
- 2So that the irritation is not greater and, therefore, the inflammation worsens, it is necessary to avoid rubbing the eyes.
- 3A good way to prevent conjunctivitis is to wash your eyes with sterile saline or artificial tears. In this way, the allergens that have remained will be eliminated. It is important to wash your hands well before starting this routine.
- 4Make sure your house is not a mite camp by cleaning it well. Do not forget about mattresses, pillows, sheets and carpets, which are the ones that tend to accumulate them the most. On windy days, avoid opening the windows.
- 5When you feel the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, do not wear contact lenses.
- 6When going by car, close the windows, especially if you travel in spring.
- 7Avoid doing sports in the early hours of the day, which is the time when there is more pollen in the environment.
- 8It is advisable not to hang clothes on the street to prevent them from being impregnated with pollen.
Symptoms of this spring allergy
The symptoms can vary depending on the person and the intensity of the inflammation. These are the most common signs:
- An intense itching in the eyes.
- Sensation of grit or of having something stuck in the eye.
- The eye appears red, as the blood vessels are more visible.
- Inflammation in the eyelids, especially in the upper one.
- Excessive tearing caused by allergy.
- Sensitivity to light, especially when it is very intense.
- More abundant rheum than normal, especially when waking up.
When to go to the ophthalmologist
- Going to the ophthalmologist will allow you to detect the signs of allergic conjunctivitis and give you the best treatment. The next time you have an allergy outbreak, you can apply the procedure to prevent conjunctivitis from getting worse.
- For this reason, it is necessary to go to the doctor when there is severe pain, the symptoms do not alleviate or the allergic reaction is worrisome.
- You should know that this type of conjunctivitis is not contagious and, therefore, if someone in the family suffers from it, they will not end up spreading it to the rest.
Treatment for conjunctivitis
Washes with physiological saline or artificial tears will help reduce the discomfort derived from allergic conjunctivitis. However, your ophthalmologist could also recommend anti-inflammatory eye drops, antihistamines to reduce the effects of allergies, corticosteroids, or some type of oral medication.
