Spring means allergens are in the air. I was having coffee with a friend in the weekend and couldn’t help but notice she had pink eye. It was really awkward because I was totally staring at her eye gunk throughout the conversation… I am not sure if she noticed or not.
I could tell it was conjunctivitis because the pollen is really high at the moment and the white part of her eyes was pinkish…almost red and inflamed and the inner rims of eyes were red with irritation.
With that in mind it inspired this blog – so I thought I would write a little more about it
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva or the inside of the eyelids, a membrane that covers the eyeballs. This part of the eye is susceptible to irritation from allergens during certain season.
When can you say you have allergic conjunctivitis?
It is when your eyes get exposed to certain allergens and develops reactions such as: itching, inflammation or turns red with gritty burning sensation and becomes watery. It is because what caused your conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction.
Who are at risk of developing allergic conjunctivitis?
- Those who are prone to allergies, such as allergic rhinitis
- Those who have family members that are prone to allergic conjunctivitis
- Common among children and young adults
- Those who live in areas with high pollen counts
What are the common causes?
The most common allergens that cause this condition are: household dust, pollens from trees and grass, mold spores, animal dander and scented chemicals like household detergents, cleaning agents or even perfume)
It may also be possible that some individuals can develop allergic conjunctivitis as a reaction to certain medications, contact lens solution or preservatives used on medicated eye drops.
What are your options for dealing with pink eyes?
Most often than not a simple solution of avoiding the cause can help in treating your condition. This means than that you have to be aware of what initially caused your allergic conjunctivitis and start from there. If you think that by getting exposed to common allergens such as the ones mentioned above caused the irritation then you should focus on eliminating these allergens.
And you can do this by simply:
- cleaning your house regularly to prevent developing dust
- closing the windows when pollen count is high
- using an indoor air purifier
- avoiding getting exposed to harsh chemicals, dyes and perfumes
You may also apply some basic remedies such as:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
- Apply cool compress to help reduce itching and redness
But there are times when medications can immediately alleviate the symptoms and help you get back to your usual routine. Talk to your medical professional about which option is right for you.
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If you have the pink eye or allergic conjunctivitis, it is now your turn to share your story. We’d love to hear from you on how you survived your pink eye situation.
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