Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation or irritation of the sensitive conjunctiva of the eye, the cause of which is an allergy . Often, allergic conjunctivitis occurs in conjunction with hay fever, a house dust allergy or a animal hair allergy . If the allergens meet the mucous membranes of the eye, redness and itching occur.

The allergic conjunctivitis can occur seasonally, for example, during the pollen count, or in the case of an allergy to dust mites or animal dander, it can exist all year round. In spring and summer, many allergy sufferers in particular struggle with itchy eyes, as increased pollen from trees, grasses, herbs, and grains fly through the air.

Whether at home or outdoors, allergy sufferers experience these typical symptoms of conjunctivitis, depending on the cause of the allergic reaction :

• reddened eyes
• itching eyes
• burning eyes
• watery eyes
• swelling of the conjunctiva
• swollen eyelids
• threadlike or watery secretion
• foreign body sensation on the eye
• increased sensitivity to light

Most of the time, allergic conjunctivitis is not the only symptom of allergies. Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose can also be part of the symptoms.

Changes in the conjunctiva such as severe swelling or protrusion of the conjunctiva (papillae) indicate allergic conjunctivitis. In addition, both eyes are usually affected by allergen irritation, in contrast to infectious conjunctivitis, which often occurs only on one side.

Generally, cold compresses and the use of moisturizing eye drops can reduce the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. To avoid continuing to irritate your eyes, be sure to avoid the allergy trigger and do not wear contact lenses. If you have hay fever, it is better to stay indoors and wash your hair before going to bed. If you are allergic to animal dander, stay away from animals and vacuum upholstery and carpets thoroughly. The same applies to a house dust allergy, which is very difficult to escape from within your own four walls. But even here, regular cleaning and vacuuming helps to reduce allergens. Since the burden is highest in the bedroom, you should rely on allergy bedding and mattresses, in which mites are less likely to settle.

In addition, antiallergic eye drops  help against the acute symptoms. A long-term solution may be specific immunotherapy (SIT) administered by a physician over a period of usually three years.

If the eyes itch and burn, eye drops are the first choice. To treat allergic conjunctivitis, the following methods in particular have proven effective:

• Mast cell stabilizers: To stop the symptoms in time, eye drops with mast cell stabilizers such as cromoglicic acid are a gentle option. They stabilize mast cells, preventing the release of histamine. The active ingredient is contained in Pollicrom® eye drops which are best used at the beginning of the pollen season, when pollen concentrations in the air are still low. Since Pollicrom® eye drops are suitable for permanent treatment after consultation with a doctor, even house dust allergy sufferers can relieve the symptoms throughout the year.
• Antihistamines: In acute cases, anti-allergic eye drops with antihistamines help to relieve the itching and let the redness subside. Preparations containing the active ingredients azelastine and levocabastine are recommended. Azelastine is contained in Pollival® eye drops and blocks the action of the allergy-triggering neurotransmitter histamine. This improves the allergic symptoms within a short time.
• Cortisone: After consultation with the ophthalmologist, preparations with cortisone-like active ingredients can also be used. They have a decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect and relieve severe discomfort within a short time. However, they should only be used for persistent discomfort, as they can lead to unwanted side effects.

Important to know: Use eye drops without preservatives such as Pollicrom® and Pollival® eye drops, to prevent any further irritation of the sensitive conjunctiva!

If you know the allergy trigger and avoid it as best as possible, the symptoms will subside within a few days. However, if the eyes are permanently exposed to the allergens, allergic conjunctivitis can quickly become a chronic problem. Here, you should definitely ask a doctor for advice in order to carry out a permanent therapy.

Unlike conjunctivitis, which is caused by pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. It is caused solely by irritation of the mucous membranes on contact with allergens. There is therefore no risk of smear infection. However, to be on the safe side, you should also have allergic conjunctivitis examined by a doctor to clearly diagnose the allergy as the trigger.