It's Only Allergies!

Don’t quarantine me because of my allergies!

In our current environment, many of us have become acutely aware of every cough, sneeze, and sniffle as we watch COVID-19 cross the globe. People have become concerned that these symptoms may be an early sign of a viral infection, while overlooking the obvious…. allergy season is here!

We need to continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing, but also need to recognize and treat our spring allergies. Allergies can affect people of all ages; however, they are more common in children and young adults. Allergy symptoms are an immune response to allergens such as: dust, pollen (possibly from miles away), mold spores, animal dander, and perfumes or dyes. Our immune system mistakenly identifies the allergens as a danger, which leads to the release of histamine into the blood. Histamine triggers the allergic response, leading to any, or all, of the following symptoms:

·        Runny or itchy nose

·        Watery or itching eyes

·        Sneezing

·        Coughing

·        Dark circles under the eyes

When your eyes are exposed to allergens, they may become red, itchy, and watery. This is called allergic conjunctivitis, a very common allergic response. To ease your symptoms, avoid rubbing your eyes. Try applying a cool compress to your eyes to help reduce inflammation and itching. The use of chilled artificial tears (Refresh or Systane work well) also helps reduce inflammation, while flushing offending allergens from your tear film. The use of contact lenses may aggravate allergic conjunctivitis. Consider reducing the use of contact lenses during peak allergy season, and ask your eyecare provider if there may be a better contact lens for you.

Other treatment strategies include avoidance or minimizing allergen exposure. In other words, Social Distancing for allergens! Avoidance may include:

·        closing windows when the pollen count is high

·        keep your home dust-free

·        use an indoor air purifier

·        avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, perfumes, and eyedrops with preservatives

·        eliminate pets from the bedroom

Consider an appointment with your family physician or ENT specialist for allergy testing. Identifying your specific allergens can be extremely beneficial in removing these offending agents from your environment and diet.

In more severe cases, avoidance may not be adequate. You will need to see a doctor who might recommend the following options:

·        an oral antihistamine (Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra)

·        steroid nasal sprays (Flonase or Nasacort)

·        anti-inflammatory or mast-cell stabilizing eye drops (Zaditor, Pazeo, or Alrex)

·        refit into a daily disposable contact lens, or switch contact lens solutions

Keep in mind that allergies may require chronic treatment. Recurring exposure to allergens will likely trigger the same symptoms in the future. An eye that becomes red, painful, light sensitive, or develops discharge may indicate that the allergic conjunctivitis has now progressed into a condition that could be sight threatening. If you notice these symptoms, please contact Eye Physicians and Surgeons for examination as soon as possible.