Seasonal Allergies & Digestive Symptoms
Among some of the lesser-known symptoms of seasonal allergies are stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, acid reflux, nausea, and stomach cramping.
These digestive symptoms can come with little or no upper respiratory symptoms which is why it can be difficult for these symptoms to be traced back to their source.
Use An External Eyewash With Turmeric
Curcumin, a compound present in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory effects and can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells.4 Animal studies have found that this compound can suppress eye allergies.5
Try this simple ayurvedic remedy for your eye allergy: Mix in ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder into ¼ cup of distilled clean warm water and use the solution to clean eyelid and your outer eye. Add this flavorsome spice to soups and curries or have a cup of turmeric tea to fight inflammation from within.6
How Do You Know Which Medication Is Right For You
Figuring out the right allergy medication for you depends on your symptoms, your preferences, and a careful weighing of the side effects that drug might produce. So, if youre not sure whats right for youparticularly if youve tried a few over-the-counter options without successits worth talking to an allergist about what might work. In addition to the OTC options, there are prescription allergy medications they can prescribe as well as eye drops and nasal sprays that may be better for your particular set of symptoms.
When choosing an antihistamineor trying to figure out where a new symptom came frombe aware that the medication can come with side effects, including some that may be a little surprising. Here are some of the most common antihistamine side effects that you should know about.
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Are There Conventional Medicines To Help Me
Your doctor or pharmacist is likely to recommend anti-histamines in the first instance, to reduce your reaction to pollen. However, eye drops or eye washes may also be recommended to target the affected area.
These may have anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory or decongestant properties designed to reduce swelling and irritation. Prescription eye drops may contain steroids, although these can be associated with side-effects.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Eyes Reaction To Pollen
Pollen allergies are difficult to deal with, but the symptoms may be reduced when certain actions are taken. Remember, every persons body is different and what works for some may not work for others.
- Stop scratching: When an area infected with histamine is scratched, it causes more histamine to be released, which in turn causes the area to become itchier. This is true for the eyes as well. Scratching the eyes can also cause other allergy symptoms, such as tearing and swelling, to worsen.
- Wear sunglasses: By wearing sunglasses, the amount of pollen that enters the eye is reduced significantly. Sunglasses also filter sunlight, which can make eyes more sensitive.
- Use eye drops: Eye drops rinse the eyes of foreign objects, including pollen. Although some allergy sufferers still experience some symptoms after using eye drops, most agree that they are reduced and tolerable.
- Take out contacts: Not only does pollen agitate contacts and make them uncomfortable, but it can also stick to the lenses and make the allergy symptoms last longer.
- Use anti-histamines: Over the counter anti-histamines, such as Benadryl or Claritin, can help to reduce pollen allergy symptoms by counteracting the histamine production.
- Consider allergy shots: For those with allergies so severe that they interfere with daily activities or make being outside unbearable, allergy shots may be the appropriate option. These can be given over time to reduce the bodys reaction.
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Other Causes Of Nasal Congestion
The combination of some or all of the following symptoms:; runny nose, sneezing, nasal stuffiness and itching, are called rhinitis. Rhinitis can result from a variety of causes. These causes include non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis, rhinitis due to colds or sinus infections, rhinitis due to pregnancy or certain medications, and rhinitis due to alterations in the sinus and nasal anatomy.
Vasomotor rhinitis has symptoms that are very similar to nasal allergies but the cause of the symptoms is different. People with vasomotor rhinitis can have their symptoms triggered by physical factors such as temperature changes, humidity changes, strong odors, air pollution and smoke. Sometimes there is no clear trigger. Vasomotor rhinitis is often referred to as a migraine of the nose and in fact there are some people that have associated migraine headaches. While there is no cure for vasomotor rhinitis, there are many medications to help with symptoms include nasal steroid and nasal antihistamine sprays, sinus saline irrigation, and in some cases ipatroprium bromide nasal spray.
Antihistamine Side Effects You Should Know
Like most allergy sufferers, I rely on medication to manage my symptoms. But antihistamine side effectssome of which may be unexpectedcan make taking these drugs a complex experience. Of course, all drugs come with the risk for some side effects, and even with those side effects, the benefits of taking a medication may still be worth it. But it’s always better not to be surprised by them.
Im something of an antihistamine connoisseur, you might say. In my decades-long quest to stop sneezing at seemingly every green thing outside, Ive taken pretty much every over-the-counter antihistamine out there, as well as a few prescription ones. And during that journey, Ive learned that some medications make me extremely sleepy while others dry my mouth out so much I spend the day chugging La Croix. Sometimes its just the price you have to pay for a day without eyes swollen shut!
In one particularly memorable episode, a friends adorable and very friendly Australian shepherd licked my neck while at a picnic in the park. I broke out in hives, popped a Benadryl, and spent the second half of the afternoon sound asleep in the grass while my friends carried on their party around me.
All of this is to say that, as much as I love and depend on the effects of antihistamines, you have to know what youre getting into when you take themespecially with regards to their potential side effects.
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Allergy Symptoms And Signs
Allergies are exaggerated immune responses to environmental triggers known as allergens. Allergies are very common, and about 50 million people in North America suffer from allergies. One of the most common forms of allergy is allergic rhinitis , which produces symptoms like:
- nasal congestion,
- Houseplants
My Experience With Allergy Shots
In my early 30s I was struggling with my health. My allergies didnt just appear out of nowhere, rather, my allergies had slowly crept up on me and began to affect my every-day-life.
I felt unhealthy, had allergic shiners , itchy skin, watery eyes, and always had a persistent stuffy nose. Worst of all I constantly felt fatigue.
I was in graduate school, busy with studying and an internship. At first I ignored the allergy symptoms because I had always experienced them.
As my health was snowballing downward I stopped going to my internship. I continued to study but slept 12 hours a day. In class I would struggle to keep my eyes open.
I had no idea what was happening. Was this normal?
Eventually, I wound up at an allergist an allergist. He asked me a few questions and chose to tested for a few allergens. I tested positive for most things and began allergy drops. After a year I didnt find much relief.
At this point I knew allergies were causing me to feel ill, so I made an appointment with another allergist.; This time I was tested for over 100 things .
Again, most of my results came back positive.
Ive been working with my allergist for 6 years and Ive learned how allergy shots work . Ive experienced a few side effects and Ill share them with you below.
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Causes Of Allergy Eyes
Allergy eyes are most commonly associated with hay fever or seasonal allergies.; But allergies can affect your eyes any time of year.; In Fall and Winter, the culprits are often molds, dust mites, and pet allergens.;
During cooler weather, our homes are closed up tight to conserve heat.; This means we get little fresh air and allergens from dust mites and pets are trapped inside.; This can increase allergen concentrations high enough to trigger your symptoms.;
Humidifiers add moisture to make the environment more comfortable.; They can also add mold.;;
Comforters and blankets make our beds warm and comfy. They also make a great home for dust mites. A home that doesnt get cleaned very often.;
Pollen is the primary source of allergy eyes in the Spring and Summer months.; Dust mites and pet allergens cause allergy eyes during warmer months as well.;
Contact Lenses And Allergies
Allergies are no picnic for anyone, but they can be especially hard on contact lens wearers. About 75 percent of allergy symptoms directly affect the eyes. Symptoms of allergies can include dry eyes, itchy eyes, puffy eyes and red eyes, and sometimes it seems like contact lenses make the problem worse. You might be tempted to ditch your lenses and go back to eyeglasses for the allergen-heavy months, but theres actually no need to do that. Heres some advice on how to deal with allergies with contact lenses so you dont have to break out the spectacles.
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What Are Dust Mites
Dust mites, which were discovered in 1964, are microscopic arachnids . They are about 1/3 mm in length and are not visible to the naked eye. They have eight legs, are blind, and naturally live indoors. Their presence does not indicate that the house is dirty. This is because usual cleaning procedures, such as vacuuming and dusting, do not eliminate them.
Dust mites have “sticky” pads at the ends of their legs that help them to firmly attach to fibers, which allow them to live deep within carpeting, upholstery, and mattresses. Most of the mites found in houses are from the Dermatophagoides family, with pteronyssinus and farinae being the most common species. Fortunately, dust mites do not bite, spread disease, or actually live on humans.
How Do Allergies Affect The Eyes
Spring is in full bloom and that means one thing to most of us- allergies! But you dont have to suffer in silence. An eye doctor can help guide you through the suffering and even provide you with a medical solution if your level of allergies requires something more than a tissue!
The eyes are affected by allergies in much of the same way the rest of the body is affected by allergies. When an allergen comes in contact with the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines your eyes, the immune system kicks in. Instead of just letting the allergen go, your body produces antibodies to fight off what it perceives to be an invading substance. The antibodies trigger chemicals, including histamine, which cause allergic symptoms. These symptoms can affect your eyes in the form of itching, burning and tearing; your eyes can also turn red or become puffy.
The allergic eye symptoms mentioned above are called allergic conjunctivitis or ocular allergies. Thankfully, eye allergies cannot cause any long-term damage to the eyes however sufferers may notice short-term vision blurriness if the symptoms are bad. Often, allergic conjunctivitis affects allergy sufferers in conjunction with nasal allergies.
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Worsening Of Allergy Symptoms For 2 Days After Shot
After my shots I almost always experience a slight worsening in allergy symptoms for 2 days after the shot.
In my opinion this should be expected, right? Youre being injected with allergens and your body is reacting. For 2 days after the shot I usually take an extra anti-histamine.
My eczema always gets a little red and improves a few days after shots.
When To See A Doctor/go To The Emergency Room
While it is important to see if a doctor if you develop an allergy of any sort, you should call 911 or seek emergency care if a rash is accompanied by fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, rapid heart, nausea, vomiting, or fainting. These are all signs of anaphylaxis requiring immediate care.
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Home To Our Yakima Optometrist Dr Farmer
At Yakima Vision Center, our Yakima optometrist takes immense pride in enhancing our patients’ lives with unrivaled eye and vision care service in a welcoming, friendly environment. For nearly 25 years, we have been serving Yakima and the surrounding areas, providing everything from comprehensive eye exams and eyewear to diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye conditions and diseases. Ultimately, our goal is to provide excellent care and to earn 100% satisfaction among our patients.
Yakima Vision Center
Eye Allergies And Side Effects
Some patients with allergies are concerned that LASIK side effects could be worse for them. While it is true that LASIK can sometimes cause dryness or irritation, a 2001 study published in the;Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery;found that patients who suffered from allergies were no more prone to LASIK complications than those who did not. In addition, at Broberg Eye Care, we perform wavefront LASIK, a customized procedure that uses a 3D model of your eyes to enhance the accuracy of the surgery and reduce the incidence of side effects.
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What About Herbal Remedies
You may find that the herb Euphrasia helps to ease eye problems. This herb, also known as Eyebright, has been used to treat eye conditions as far back as the 17th Century. It can be used in the form of eye drops to help soothe your irritated eyes, or internally in the form of a tincture.
However, if you are suffering from other symptoms of seasonal allergies as well as irritated eyes, you may find that a herbal remedy which works to relieve all symptoms of seasonal allergies is more effective. Pollinosan Allergy Relief Tablets combine several different herbs to target seasonal allergies symptoms and unlike many conventional seasonal allergies treatments, it is non-drowsy, so is safe to use if you are driving or working with machinery.
When Is It Eye Allergy When Is It Not
Other Conjunctivitis: When is it not an allergy? When the conjunctiva becomes red and inflamed, you may have pink eye. This is an infection, caused in most cases by a virus that may last up to a few weeks or, less frequently, its bacterial.
Discharge is often present, and the eyelids can be extremely swollen. Pink eye is frequently associated with a cold or respiratory infection. The bacterial kind often features a sticky, colored discharge, which can clamp the eyelids shut upon waking.
A more extreme form of allergic conjunctivitis is giant papillary conjunctivitis, or GPC, which affects those who wear contact lenses , since debris on the lens or rubbing can lead to irritation. Symptoms include tearing, mucus discharge, blurry vision, the sensation of a foreign body and difficulty tolerating contacts, and the answer is often to take a break from wearing lenses and use of medication.
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: This eye allergy is generally more severe than seasonal or perennial conjunctivitis. It peaks between April and August, tending to affect those more in warm, dry climates. Thickening/swelling of the conjunctiva, as well as raised bumps may occur. Again, this needs early therapeutic treatment by an eye-care practitioner.
Excerpted from The New Allergy Solution: Supercharge Resistance, Slash Medication, Stop Suffering by arrangement with Avery, a member of Penguin Group LLC, A Penguin Random House Company © Clifford W. Bassett, MD. Visit Dr. Bassetts website here.
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An Introduction To Eye Problems And Seasonal Allergies
Eye problems are perhaps the most common or significant symptom of seasonal allergies. When pollen lands on the eye, not only does this irritate the sensitive tissues, but also triggers the release of a chemical called histamine.
This reaction of the eye to pollen and other allergens is called allergic conjunctivitis. The symptoms can cause you to feel that your vision is affected. Thankfully, this is only temporary and it is extremely unlikely that any long term damage will occur to your eyes. Nevertheless, many seasonal allergies sufferers long for some relief from their symptoms.
What To Do About Ocular Allergies
Ocular allergies pose no threat to your eyesight and they are not contagious. Its not like pink eye, even though the redness can appear like it.
The allergic reaction can impact sufferers quality of life, though. Blurry vision and constantly rubbing the eyes can interfere with work and having a good time outdoors when the weather warms up. This can be highly depressing, which is why most people who deal with this end up making an appointment with their optometrist.
An optometrist, or eye doctor, will perform a thorough eye exam. This exam will include asking questions about your symptoms and using eye instruments to take a deep look into the eyes to rule out any other issues.
If seasonal allergies are suspected to be the cause of the eye irritation, the optometrist may request that you seek an allergy test. The allergy test results will confirm your eye problems are due to pollen and/or mold spores.
Eye allergy treatment often consists of the following:
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It’s Possible To Have Slight Astigmatism That Doesn’t Affect Your Vision But If Yours Needs Treatment Your Eye 3
Allure magazine reports your trusty allergy medicine just might be affecting your skin. In this article, we look at how dizziness, vertigo, and allergies are linked, and whether or not treating allergy symptoms can help dizziness is associated with other conditions, such as heart, blood vessel, brain, metabolic, vision, and psychological problems. If your allergies are sensitive to fragrance, you may find yourself experiencing any of the following symptoms after being exposed to a scented product. These allergens, unfortunately, can have a negative affect on your health, and therefore on the quality of your sleep. Dry eye is a condition that happens when your. Most allergies can’t be cured, but treatments can help. They include some foods, pollen or pet dander. Well, turns out, there are some pretty distinct differences between allergy coughs in short, yes. Are ‘psychopath eyes’ really a thing? Specifically, dry skin can be caused by antihistamines. Can allergies cause coughingor do you just have an annoying cold? But it can also lead to allergic symptoms like sneezing. Shots are something you have to stick with, if.
Histamine performs many important functions.
Seasonal allergies might not be the most serious malady, but they’re persistent, irritating, and can negatively impact many different aspects of your life in fact, if you find you struggle to snooze during the springtime and summer months, it may be because your allergies are messing with your sleep.
