Different people will be affected by different allergens in the spring, summer or fall. And some allergy-sufferers have perennial (year-round) symptoms.
Information about specific conditions:
- Conjunctivitis (eye allergies)
- Asthma (allergy-triggered)
- Rhinitis (hay fever)
- Sinusitis (infected or inflamed sinuses)
Allergy Information
Some common asthma triggers: animal dander, ragweed pollen, and the microscopic house dust mite.
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Conjunctivitis (eye allergies)
If your eyes itch, are red, tearing or burning, pay attention to what they may be telling you. You may have eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, a condition that affects millions of Americans. It is a condition that can occur alone, but often accompanies nasal allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, sniffling and a stuffy nose. And, while most people treat nasal allergy symptoms, they often ignore their itchy, red, watery eyes. This document answers questions about eye allergies and suggests effective ways for you to recognize and treat the symptoms.
What causes eye allergies?
Just like hay fever and skin rashes, eye allergies develop when the body's immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something that is ordinarily harmless. An allergic reaction can occur whenever that "something" - called an allergen - comes into contact with your eyes. The allergen causes certain cells in the eye (called mast cells) to release histamine and other substances or chemicals that cause blood vessels in the eyes to swell, and the eyes to become itchy, red and watery.
What allergens trigger eye allergies?
Allergens that may be present indoors or outdoors can cause eye allergies. The most common outdoor airborne allergens are grass, tree and weed pollens. People who are sensitive to these allergens suffer from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, the most common type of eye allergy. Pet hair or dander, dust mites and molds are the most common indoor allergens. These indoor allergens can trigger symptoms for some people throughout the year, resulting in perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Although cigarette smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust may inflame your eyes, they act as irritants rather than triggering an allergic response. They can, however, make your allergy symptoms worse.
How are eye allergies treated? Stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are at their peak, usually during the mid-morning and early evening, and when wind is blowing pollens around.
Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in your car and home. Air conditioning units should be kept clean. Avoid using window fans that can draw pollens and molds into the house.
Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize pollen getting into your eyes.
Avoid rubbing eyes, which will only irritate them or make your condition worse.
Reduce dust mite exposure in your home, especially the bedroom. Bedding, particularly pillows, should
be encased in "mite-proof" covers. Wash bedding often in hot water (at least 130°F). Keep humidity in your home low (between 30 percent and 50 percent).
Clean floors with a damp rag or mop rather than dry dusting or sweeping.
Wash your hands immediately after petting any animals. Remove and wash clothing after visiting friends with pets.
If you have a pet to which you are allergic, keep it out of your house as much as possible. If the pet must be in the house, keep it out of the bedroom so you are not exposed to animal allergens while you sleep.
Close the air ducts to your bedroom if you have forced-air or central heating/cooling. Replace carpeting with hardwood, tile or linoleum which are easier to keep dander free. Reduce indoor molds caused by high humidity by cleaning bathrooms, kitchens and basements regularly. A dehumidifier can be used to reduce molds, especially in damp, humid places like basements.
Make sure the dehumidifier is cleaned often. To clean moldy areas in the home, use a 1-to-10 parts diluted mixture of chlorine bleach and water.
As with any allergy, the first approach for successful management should be prevention or avoidance of the allergens that trigger your symptoms.
Here are some avoidance tips to reduce exposure to allergens that affect your eyes.
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Asthma (allergy-triggered)
About 50 million people in the U.S. - one in five adults and kids - have allergies. They sneeze, their noses run and their eyes itch from pollen, dust and other substances. Some suffer sudden attacks that leave them breathless and gasping for air. This is allergic asthma. Asthma attacks often occur after periods of heavy exercise or during sudden changes in the weather. Some can be triggered by pollutants and other chemicals in the air and in the home. There is no cure for asthma.
Working with a physician or other health care provider to develop an individualized asthma management plan
Learning to notice early signs of an asthma episode and to start treatment
Avoiding things that can cause asthma episodes
Knowing when to get medical help for a severe episode
However, people can control or manage their asthma by:
For more information about asthma, visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Rhinitis (hay fever)
The most common symptom of seasonal allergies is allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis closely mimic those of the common cold. But there are differences. A cold runs its course in 7 to 10 days. Allergic rhinitis can drag on for weeks or months. Despite its nickname, "hay fever" does not cause fever. With a cold, nasal discharge may be thick and yellow. In allergies, it is generally thin and clear. An allergy is often accompanied by eye, skin or mouth itchiness and can often be traced to a specific trigger.
Allergic rhinitis often appears before the age of 20 but may be diagnosed as early as the first year of life, particularly if there is a history of maternal allergy or if the mother is a heavy cigarette smoker.
Runny nose with thin, watery discharge; sneezing; congestion; wheezing; itchy nose, throat and eyes.
Onset: Symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to allergen(s). If seasonal allergies, symptoms occur at the same time every year. If perennial allergies, symptoms are present year-round.
Duration: Symptoms last as long as you are exposed to the allergen.
Cold Symptoms:
Runny nose with watery to thick yellow discharge; sneezing; low grade fever; weakness and fatigue.
Onset: Symptoms develop within one to three days of exposure to the cold virus.
Duration: Five to seven days.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An allergist will take a thorough patient history and conduct skin testing to determine which specific allergens are triggering reactions. Once someone is aware of the substances causing their symptoms, avoidance of triggers is very important. Although complete avoidance is usually impossible, there are steps patients can take to control their environment and reduce exposure to allergens.
Depending on the patient's allergies, control measures may include using air conditioning, encasing pillows and mattresses in allergen-proof covers and removing furry pets from the home. An allergist may prescribe a nose spray, oral medications such as non-sedating antihistamines, decongestants or inhaled medications such as corticosteroids or bronchodilators to relieve symptoms. If symptoms continue, immunotherapy, also called allergy vaccines or shots, may be a treatment option. This involves periodic injections of small amounts of allergen over a period of three to five years in an effort to make the immune system more resistant to specific allergens and lessen the need for medications.
Allergies vs. Colds
Many people may not realize they have allergies, often attributing their congestion and runny nose to a cold. Left untreated, allergies can cause more serious conditions like sinusitis or ear infections. It is important to decipher between allergies and colds:
Allergies Symptoms:
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Sinusitis (infected or inflamed sinuses)
Sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Health care experts usually divide sinusitis cases into:
Acute, which lasts for 3 weeks or less. If you have allergic rhinitis or hay fever, you can develop episodes of acute sinusitis.
Chronic, which usually lasts for 3 to 8 weeks but can continue for months or even years. If you have asthma, an allergic disease, you may have frequent episodes of chronic sinusitis. If you are allergic to airborne allergens, such as dust, mold, and pollen, which trigger allergic rhinitis, you may develop chronic sinusitis.
Recurrent, which is several acute attacks within a year.
If you are subject to getting chronic sinusitis, damp weather, especially in northern temperate climates, or pollutants in the air and in buildings also can affect you. For more information, visit: National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases,
Sinusitis Fact Sheet.