Triggers And Irritants Which Aggravate Vasomotor Rhinitis
The main trigger for VMR is changes in the weather, and changes in the barometric pressure. You may notice that you get significant nasal congestion or stuff nose when there is a front moving in, with a rain storm or on days with changes in the humidity. This is essentially due to sensitive nerve endings in the nasal passages leading to over reaction that results in swelling of blood vessels. This leads to the congestion, runny nose, and post nasal drip found in VMR.
In addition to changes in the weather, there are several chemicals and smells that serve as irritants and may worsen the symptoms of VMR. In particular, this non-specific reactivity maybe aggravated by some of the following:
1. Highly scented cosmetics such as cologne and perfumes.
2. Cigarette or other types of tobacco smoke.
3. Smoke from fireplaces and environmental smoke such as a forest fire or brush fire.
4. Strongly scented soaps, and shampoos.
5. Room deodorants, paints and varnishes, insecticides, and bug sprays.
6. Plants with a strong fragrance such as roses, violets, lilacs, goldenrods, and crysanthemums.
7. Kerosene, lighter fluid, fuel oil, and gas fumes.
8. Dust particles.
9. Pollution.
These irritants are not capable of acting as âallergensâ or causing âantibodiesâ like we see with true allergies. The symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis are thus due to a completely different trigger and mechanism than nasal allergies.
A Pediatrician Shares Eight Ways To Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies
If your child seems to constantly have a runny nose, cough or congestion, you are not alone.
Its not unusual for kids to get six to eight colds per year, lasting from 10-14 days, explains Michael Lee, M.D., a pediatrician with Childrens Health. Additionally, seasonal allergies have become more prevalent.
So how can parents tell if its a cold or allergies? Dr. Lee explains the difference between causes and symptoms in kids.
Related podcast
Learn more about how to help a child with seasonal allergies by listening to the Childrens Health Checkup podcast.
-
Eye drops and tear supplements
Allergic conjunctivitis treatment includes anti-allergy eye drops. Using chilled tear supplements and cold compresses and avoiding known allergens can help reduce symptoms.
Drops that have an antihistamine, such as ketotifen, may be enough for mild cases. This drug can be bought without a prescription. If ketotifen is insufficient, prescription antihistamine eye drops or mast cell stabilizers may be effective.
Similar Symptoms Seasonal Allergies Vs Covid
For most people, spring and early summer are when they are likely to be bothered by allergy symptoms. During normal years, allergies are shrugged off as minor annoyances that can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications. But this year, with the threat of coronavirus still a top concern, some symptoms of allergies may be confused with COVID-19. To help you understand what is probably an allergy versus something more serious, this comparison of symptoms may help:
You May Like: Can You Take Pseudoephedrine With Dextromethorphan And Guaifenesin
Don’t Miss: Does Benadryl Help Skin Allergies
Nose And Eye Allergies: Age Of Onset
- Seasonal pollen allergies usually begin at age 2 to 5 years.
- The symptoms peak in school age children, teens and young adults.
- Pollen symptoms are rare in children under age 2. They require at least 2 seasons of exposure to the pollen.
- Children under age 2 who have chronic nasal symptoms have other causes. Examples are recurrent colds, large adenoids or cows milk allergy.
- Food allergies can start during the first year of life, but not pollen allergies.
Dont Miss: Allergies And Fatigue Achiness
There Are Several Signs Of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Typical signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include:
- Redness in both eyes.
- Itching and burning of both the eye and surrounding tissues.
- Watery discharge, often accompanied by acute discomfort in bright sunlight light .
- The conjunctiva itself may become very swollen and look light purple, and this may interfere with clarity of vision.
Eyelids may also be affected by an allergic reaction, causing the loose tissues of the lid to become swollen with subsequent drooping of the eyelid. In cases of severe swelling, the lids cannot open and the gap between the upper and lower lids becomes slit like.
It is important to note that blurred vision or corneal haze require urgent referral to an eye specialist.
Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms may be:
- Perennial due to exposure to dust mite, animal dander, indoor and outdoor mould spores and occasionally foods or food additives.
- Seasonal due to airborne allergens such as pollen of grasses, trees and weeds. Pollen allergy symptoms vary from day to day, depending on the weather, improving in wet weather and worsening on hot windy days or after thunderstorms. There are also seasonal variations in some airborne mould spores, which may cause seasonal symptoms.
Read Also: How Long Do Eye Allergies Last
How To Tell The Difference Between Dry Eye And Allergies
Dry eye syndrome and ocular allergies are two of the more common eye conditions people deal with each day. Despite their prevalence, it is easy to confuse dry eye symptoms with eye-related allergy symptoms, making it difficult for patients to find consistent relief.
We spoke withTasha J. Schellenberg, OD, a clinical instructor at the Dean McGee Eye Institute/University of Oklahoma Department of Ophthalmology, to provide more information on this topic. Dr. Schellenberg specializes in optometry and primary eye care.
Caused By Chemicals Or Irritants
Pink eye caused by chemicals or irritants will likely go away without treatment in a few days. You should make sure to rinse the eyes with sterile saline or artificial tear eyedrops to ensure the irritant has been removed. A warm compress with your eye closed may help soothe the irritation.
Viral and bacterial pink eye are highly contagious. Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid these types of pink eye.
Here are some tips to avoid the spread of contagious pink eye:
- wash your hands often
- dont share makeup, especially eyeline or mascara
- use clean tissues and towels to wipe your face and eyes
- wash and change your pillowcases frequently
If you wear contact lenses:
- clean and replace your contact lenses often
- avoid poorly fitted contact lenses
- dont share contact lenses
- wash your hands before inserting or removing contact lenses
You can prevent allergic pink eye by avoiding whatever youre allergic to, if possible. For example, if youre allergic to cat dander, you can avoid petting a cat or touching anything that has made contact with a cat.
For outdoor allergies, you can close windows when the pollen count is high or use an indoor air purifier. Taking an allergy medicine daily, like Claritin or Zyrtec, at the start of allergy season can also prevent or reduce your allergy symptoms.
Recommended Reading: What Percent Of Peanut Allergies Are Life Threatening
What Are Ocular Allergies
Eye allergies are caused from allergens in the environment, such as ragweed or pet dander. Many types of allergens cant be avoided because they live in the air. You can reduce symptoms by washing your face, rinsing out the eyes, staying indoors on high-pollen days and using allergy medications.
Although they pose little threat to your vision, eye allergies can be incredibly uncomfortable. They generally come and go based on the seasons and include the following symptoms:
What Are Eye Allergy Symptoms And Signs
Typical symptoms associated with eye allergies include inflammation of the conjunctiva that is caused by a reaction to allergens. The inflammation causes enlargement of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva , resulting in a red or bloodshot appearance of the eyes. These allergy symptoms can range from very mild redness to severe swelling associated with discharge.
You May Like: How To Help Allergies Naturally
Treatment For Seasonal Perennial And Animal
In addition to the general measures described above:
No treatmentIf symptoms are mild, no treatment may be needed.
Eye dropsEye drops that reduce the allergic reaction are often prescribed.
The most commonly used eye drops are antihistamine eye drops and mast cell stabiliser eye drops. Eye drops usually work well. You need to use them regularly to keep symptoms away until the cause of the allergy goes away . Some people find one product works better than another. Therefore, if the first does not work so well, a switch to another may help. If your eyelids are very swollen, it may take several days for the drops to ease symptoms fully.
Note: tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, as some treatments may not be advised.
Eye drops and contact lensesMost drops contain preservatives. However, in some cases preservative-free versions are available, as the preservatives may also cause eye irritation or allergy! Soft contact lenses should not be worn whilst the drops are being used, as the preservatives can be absorbed into the lenses and can further irritate the eyes.
You May Like: Robitussin Cold And Allergy
Is It Pink Eye Or Allergies
It can be difficult to tell the difference between allergic conjunctivitis and pink eye, a conjunctivitis caused by a virus or bacteria. Eye allergy tends to clear secretions and itching, while bacterial infections causing pink eye usually involve yellow or greenish discharge. Most conjunctivitis is viral rather bacterial and resolves well after applying warm compresses. If only one eye is affected, take care to not touch or apply anything to the unaffected eye after touching the eye with the issue.
Never put corticosteroid drops into your eyes without having a comprehensive eye exam. It is very difficult to tell the difference between conjunctivitis caused by allergy or conjunctivitis caused by bacteria corticosteroids can be dangerous with certain bacterial diseases. Eye allergy tends to cause clear secretions and itching, while bacterial infections usually involve yellow or greenish secretions.
If you suspect that you have eye allergies visit a healthcare professional. Preventing and treating eye symptoms may be part of your overall treatment plan.
Also Check: Can You Have Almond Extract With A Nut Allergy
What Are Eye Allergy Symptoms
When you have eye allergies, the mast cells lining the conjunctiva release histamine when exposed to allergens and irritants. Those allergens and irritants cause the conjunctiva to swell and symptoms of eye allergies to occur.
Common symptoms include:
Read Also: Whats Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec
Eye Symptoms And Anaphylaxis
An allergic reaction to a food, insect sting or bite, or medication may cause eye symptoms with swelling, itching and redness of the conjunctiva and soft tissues around the eyes. Individuals who are at risk of anaphylaxis should be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Eating of foods containing monosodium glutamate or the preservative sodium metabisulfite will occasionallycause swelling and redness of the eye. However this is not a true allergic reaction and therefore symptoms will be less severe.
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
You May Like: Cetirizine
You May Like: Can You Grow Out Of Allergies
How Can I Relieve My Eye Allergies
It has been estimated that about 40 percent of the population in the United States have ocular allergy symptoms. Eye allergies frequently occur in conjunction with nasal allergies . Many patients who seek their doctors help regarding their allergies are treated for both nasal and eye symptoms.
Eye allergies can be treated with one of several different medications, or a combination of medications, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and overall health. These medications include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines in the form of eye drops can provide fast relief of symptoms. They are applied to the eyes twice or three times a day. Some people prefer taking antihistamines by mouth. These are usually taken once a day. Antihistamines block the effects of histamines that are produced by the body when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance.
Antihistamines can reduce eye allergy symptoms as well as nasal symptoms, but they often cause drowsiness. It is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking an antihistamine.
Mast cell stabilizers
You will have to take this medicine for a period of time before any beneficial effect becomes apparent. However, the effects last much longer than those of antihistamines, which provide temporary relief of symptoms. Often an antihistamine is taken at the same time as the mast cell stabilizer until the mast cell stabilizers start to work. These agents are often prescribed as eye drops.
A Longer List Of Symptoms For Eye Infections
Red, itchy watery eyes and a burning sensation are common symptoms of eye allergies and infections. However, the latter has a longer list of symptoms, which include pain, a gritty feeling in the eyes, sensitivity to light, a thick discharge and a mucus-like discharge . In general, if you experience pain in your eyes or theres anything other than tears thats being discharged for them, theres a strong chance your eyes might be infected. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Viral eye infections usually clear up on their own, although cold compresses and lubricating eye drops can help you manage symptoms. However, for bacterial eye infections, youll need to get a prescription.
Recommended Reading: Xyzal Vs Zyrtec Vs Claritin
Recommended Reading: How Much Does An Allergy Test Cost Uk
What Is The Prognosis Of Eye Allergies
The prognosis is favorable for most patients with eye allergies. Typically symptoms clear up quickly with OTC/home treatment or when the offending allergen is not present any more. Unfortunately the symptoms may reoccur depending on the cause of the eye allergy. Health complications are very rare, but medical attentions should be sought immediately for any pain or vision loss that occurs or for symptoms that do not resolve within 12 hours.
Differentiating Allergy And Dry Eye Symptoms
The main difference in symptoms between dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis is intense itching. While itching may occur with dry eyes, it is usually more intense with allergic conjunctivitis. Any itching associated with a runny nose or watery eyes also is a sign it is related to allergies.
Still, Dr. Schellenberg notes there are many symptoms that overlap between dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis may cause ocular redness, watery eyes, mucus discharge, swelling or puffiness around the eyelids, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light, she says. Itching is also present, and there may be an intense urge to rub the eyes.
Dry eyes have a more varied set of symptoms. The symptoms include scratchy sensation, feeling like something is in the eye, stinging, burning, ocular redness, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, mild itch, blurry vision, and stringy mucus discharge.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Allergies Nose
Introducing Allergens Safely With Ready Set Food
Ready, Set, Food! lets your family safely and easily introduce allergenic foods to your baby. Heres everything you need to know about how Ready, Set, Food! takes safety seriously:
Ready, Set, Food! can help you introduce allergens safely to your baby!
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
Read Also: Does Kaiser Cover Allergy Testing
What Is The Basic Anatomy Of The Outer Eye
Eye allergies mainly involve the conjunctiva, which is the tissue lining that covers the white surface of the eyeball and the inner folds of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is a barrier structure that is exposed to the environment and the many different allergens that become airborne. It is rich in blood vessels and contains more mast cells than the lungs.
The lacrimal glands are located in the upper and outer portions of the eye. They are responsible for producing the watery part of tears, which keeps the eye moist and washes away irritants. The tears also contain important parts of the immune defense such as immunoglobulins , lymphocytes , and enzymes.
The cornea is the transparent sheath in front of the lens of the eye. The cornea has no blood vessels and very little immune activity.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis, also called “allergic rhinoconjunctivitis,” is the most common allergic eye disorder. The condition is usually seasonal and is associated with hay fever. The main cause is pollens, although indoor allergens such as dust mites, molds, and dander from household pets such as cats and dogs may affect the eyes year-round. Typical complaints include itching, redness, tearing, burning, watery discharge, and eyelid swelling. To a large degree, the acute symptoms appear related to histamine release.
Allergy assist
Conjunctivitis with atopic dermatitis
Allergy alert
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
Allergy fact
Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Recommended Reading: Do Allergies Make You Feel Tired
What Can You Do For Eye Allergy Treatment And Relief
The best thing to do is to totally avoid whatever eye allergens and irritants bother your eyes. However, this is hard since these triggers are airborne.
Here are some tips to keep your eyes clear, clean and comfortable:
- Use a preservative-free eye wash or artificial tears to moisten dry, irritated eyes and help wash out allergens and irritants.
- Put a damp washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes and then apply it to your eyelids to reduce itching and swelling.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes. Wash your hands and face after being outside on high pollen and mold days.
