The cause of allergic eye symptoms can be related to other allergic diseases:
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Allergic Rhinitis
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Hay fever
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Eczema
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Allergic Asthma
Allergic eye conditions are usually not dangerous but incredibly irritating.
Itchy eyes are likely allergic eyes.
Other common eye symptoms include:
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Redness
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Grittiness
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Swelling
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Stinging
Topical antihistamine/decongestant preparations are effective and safe for mild symptoms.
A prescription topical mast-cell stabilizer, called Patanol, can be an effective choice, long-acting treatment.
Check out more information about allergy drops/sublingual immunotherapy as a safe, effective, and cost efficient treatment option for allergic eye symptoms!
Reference: Picture and article- http://www.medicinenet.com/eye_allergy/article.htm
SLIT is an acronym for sublingual immunotherapy. SLIT is also referred to as S.L.I.T. or allergy drops.
SLIT refers to the process of gradually introducing your body to small amounts of the allergens that cause your body to have an allergic reaction. Put simply, small doses of whatever you are allergic to are put under your tongue until you build up an immunity to them.
Allergy sufferers are battling a harsh allergy season early this year. The intense allergy season is due to the mild winter conditions. Springtime tree pollen can be the cause of ithy watery eyes, cough, sneezing, runny nose, post nasal discharge, ear pain or fullness, face pain or pressure, fatigue, and dizziness.
Kirstin Carel, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at National Jewi
sh Health shares, "Most people associate the beginning of allergy season with flowering trees and plants, but the reality is allergy season begins much earlier, when buds on otherwise bare trees begin releasing their pollen."
Allergy drops can provide a lasting seasonal and year round allergy relief to springtime allergy sufferers. Allergy drops change the immune system reponse to the pollen exposure during the peak season as well as the off peak time. Other helpful tips to decrease springtime allergy symptoms include:
- Routinely take antihistamines
- Limit outdoor activities
- Shower before bed
- Keep windows closed
- Monitor pollen counts
Don’t be caught off guard!
Any substance can trigger an allergic reaction including: pollens, pet dander, foods, stinging insects or medications. Know your trigger to help avoid an allergic reaction. A simple blood test can help identify your trigger. Allergy drops can increase your tolerance to the trigger, this means fewer allergic reactions!
Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction can be:
Mild: Itchiness, mild skin redness, mild swelling, Ssuffy-runny nose, sneezing, itchy-watery eyes, and hives
Severe: Swelling of the face or mouth, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness or fainting
What to do:
1. Take an oral antihistamine
2. Use EpiPen
3. Call 911 (emergency services)
Investigate the food that you eat for potential food allergies. A Food diary is used to identify potential food allergy triggers. The diary should be as detailed as possible. A sandwich is not just a sandwich it is the wheat bread, the turkey, tomato and lettuce. To get the most benefit from the food diary you must be specific. Be sure to include snacks, drinks, and medications. Allergic symptoms may include but are not limited to headache, nausea, red or flushed cheeks, tingle in the lips or mouth.
Food Allergy: Is an immediate reaction that is noticeable and affects your immune system.
Food sensitivity: Is a delayed reaction, 48-72 hours, that likely affects your over all feeling.
Food Intolerance: Is when enzymes to process the food are inferior.
You may be able to decrease these symptoms with aller
gy drops.
Wonder how to battle mold allergy?
The small mold plant exposure causes allergy symptoms when the spores are inhaled. Mold spores circulate through the air and can be found indoors and outdoors. Often the mold spores increase in humid, wet and dry weather. Flourishing in dark, damp areas mold can be found naturally in a variety of common places.
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Indoor: Basements, bathrooms, closets, refrigerators, old books, newspaper, window sills, air conditioners, dishwasher drains
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Outdoor: Wood, tree bark, damp leaves, grasses and soil
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Names of different molds: Grass smut, penicillium, aspergillus, alternaria, cephalosporium, fusarium, grain smut, helminthosporium, hormodendrum, mucor, phoma, pullularia, trichodermia, candida
These mold spores can cause a variety of allergy/asthma symptoms. Sublingual allergy drops help increase the tolerance to everyday mold exposures by stimulating the immune system consistantly with a measured amount of dosing. Sublingual allergy drops should be considered when you can not avoid the mold exposure and antihistamine allergy medications do not give satisfactory results. If you are battling mold allergies check with your provider about any easy blood test to start sublingual allergy drops! 
Picture from (air.ky.gov)
As usual the ragweed season has arrived. Ragweed allergy sufferers, be prepared for an especially nasty ragweed season. The hot, dry summer will cause very high ragweed pollen counts. Ragweed and nettle plants are the predominant pollens at this time. Up to 20 percent of Americans suffer from ragweed allergy, which is the number one cause of hay fever, with symptoms of nasal congestion, sneezing, eye irritation and itchy eyes, nose and throat.
Ragweed blooms in mid-August through October is associated with about 15 different species in the sunflower family. According to experts the pollen from the ragweed plant is an extremely potent allergen. Each ragweed plant produces about a billion pollen grains per season, and these tiny grains can travel up to 400 miles due to their light weight! Resources at Achoo Allergy and Air Products document that ragweed allergy causes Americans to miss 3.8 million days of work or school each year. Of the ragweed allergy sufferers who are able to go to work, one-third of them report decreased efficiency.
The ACAAI offers various tips to resist ragweed aggravation:
- Begin allergy medication (antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays) early, do not wait.
- Check your local weather for daily pollen counts.
- Minimize outdoor exposure during peak times.
- Keep your windows closed at home and in the car.
- Rinse and clean nasal passages after exposure.
Allergy treatment options may include allergy avoidance, medications, and immunotherapy. Avoidance measures help control the environment that we live in. Medications can be over the counter or prescribed and treat allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy is a process of changing your body’s immune system response to the specific allergen.
Eczema is known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a red, scaly, itchy rash appears on the face, elbows, and knees. Aeroallergens, foods and emotional stress can be the culprit of this skin allergy. The key is to avoid the flare up. Relief can be found in the use of cold compresses, antihistamines, and in some cases topical corticosteroids. (AAAAI, Allergic Skin Conditions)
R. Mikkelson
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a treatable skin allergy. A hive is a red, itchy, raised area of the skin and can appear anywhere on your body. These welts may last a few hours to a few days for acute cases. Chronic hives may last months to years for some people. Common triggers include food and medication.
Swelling that affects the deeper skin layers is known as angioedema. Angioedema occurs with hives and can be noticed on the hands, feet, tongue, lips, and eyelids.
If you know your allergy trigger avoid it. Antihistamines may also help relieve your symptoms. Be sure to consult a physician for a treatment plan that works for you. (AAAAI, Allergic Skin Conditions)
R. Mikkelson