Beware in spring! Conjunctivitis is on the rise recently!

As the spring breeze blows and everything comes back to life, many people encounter a "little trouble" with their eyes in this season - allergic conjunctivitis. Recently, the number of people seeking medical treatment for symptoms such as itchy, painful, red and swollen eyes has increased significantly, and allergic conjunctivitis has become a major "invisible killer" of eye health in spring.

1. What is allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is a common allergic eye disease, mainly due to an allergic reaction of the conjunctiva tissue after the eyes come into contact with allergens. The conjunctiva is a transparent film covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid, which contains rich blood vessels and immune cells. When allergens invade, these immune cells will be activated and release a series of inflammatory mediators, thus causing a series of symptoms of eye discomfort.

2. Common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis

Eye itching : This is one of the most typical and prominent symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Patients often feel as if countless small insects are crawling in their eyes, and the itching is unbearable, so they can't help rubbing their eyes with their hands, but this practice often aggravates the symptoms because the hands may be stained with bacteria or more allergens.

Red eyes : The blood vessels of the conjunctiva will expand and become congested under the stimulation of allergic reactions, causing the eyes to look red. This type of red eyes is different from the red eyes caused by bacterial conjunctivitis. The red eyes of allergic conjunctivitis are usually accompanied by obvious itching, while bacterial conjunctivitis is more often accompanied by symptoms such as increased secretions.

Tearing : In order to resist the invasion of allergens, the eyes will increase the secretion of tears. The patient will feel tearful and shed tears frequently, especially after contact with allergens, such as pollen, dust and other stimuli, the tear secretion will be more obvious.

Eye swelling : Some patients may experience eyelid swelling, which is due to edema of eye tissues during allergic reactions. Eyelid swelling can make the eyes look like a slit, which not only affects the appearance, but also brings many inconveniences to the patient's life, such as difficulty opening the eyes.

3. Common allergens of allergic conjunctivitis

Pollen : Spring is the season when plants bloom, and various pollens are floating in the air. For people with allergies, pollen is one of the most important allergens. When pollen particles enter the eyes, they will trigger an allergic reaction. For example, some people who are allergic to herb pollen are prone to allergic conjunctivitis symptoms when they are exposed to these pollens when outdoor activities increase in spring.

Dust mites : Dust mites are tiny organisms that are widely found in our living environment, such as bed sheets, quilts, carpets, etc. Their excrement and body debris are common allergens. If the eyes come into contact with dust containing dust mites, it may also induce allergic conjunctivitis. Especially when cleaning the room or changing bed sheets and quilts, dust mites may fly with the dust, increasing the chance of eye contact with allergens.

Animal hair and dander : Many people like to keep pets, but animal hair and dander are also common allergens. The hair and dander of cats, dogs and other pets contain a variety of protein components, which are strong allergic irritants for some people with allergies. When pets move around their owners or owners rub their eyes with their hands after touching their pets, it is easy to cause allergic conjunctivitis.

Cosmetics and contact lens care solutions : Some eye cosmetics, such as eyeliners and mascaras, may irritate the eyes and cause allergic reactions if they are not of good quality or used improperly. Contact lens care solutions are also a potential allergen for people who wear contact lenses. If the care solution is left or the ingredients are not suitable, it may also cause allergic conjunctivitis.

4. How to prevent allergic conjunctivitis

Avoid contact with allergens : This is the key to preventing allergic conjunctivitis. If you know you are allergic to pollen, try to reduce outdoor activities during the pollen season, wear goggles when going out, and wash your eyes promptly after returning home. For those who are allergic to dust mites, wash your sheets and bedding regularly to keep the indoor air clean. If you are allergic to animal hair, try to avoid contact with pets, or wash your hands and face promptly after contact with pets, and avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands.

Pay attention to eye hygiene : Develop good eye hygiene habits, wash your hands frequently, and avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands. When using eye cosmetics, choose products of reliable quality and remove makeup in time after use to avoid cosmetic residue. For people who wear contact lenses, they should strictly follow the instructions for use of the care solution to clean and maintain the contact lenses, avoid care solution residue, and replace the contact lens lenses regularly.

Enhance body immunity : Do proper exercise to strengthen your body and improve your body's tolerance to allergens. Maintaining a good work and rest habit and getting enough sleep will help regulate your body's immune system. At the same time, a healthy diet and eating more foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, will also help enhance your body's resistance.

5. Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

Drug treatment : If symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis have already appeared, some anti-allergic eye drops can be used under the guidance of a doctor. These eye drops can relieve symptoms such as itching and redness of the eyes. For example, eye drops containing antihistamine ingredients can block the release of histamine in allergic reactions and relieve allergic symptoms; some eye drops containing glucocorticoids are more effective, but they need to be used under the strict guidance of a doctor, because long-term use may cause some side effects, such as increased intraocular pressure and cataracts.

Cold compress : If the symptoms are mild, cold compress can be used to relieve itching and swelling of the eyes. Wrap ice cubes in a clean towel or use a cold compress eye mask and apply it to the eyes for about 10-15 minutes each time, 3-4 times a day. Cold compress can constrict blood vessels in the eyes, reduce congestion and edema in the eyes, and also relieve itching.

Avoid allergens : During treatment, you should strictly avoid contact with allergens. If the allergy is caused by a certain cosmetic or contact lens solution, you should stop using the product immediately and thoroughly clean the residual ingredients in your eyes.

Although spring is beautiful, allergic conjunctivitis has caused trouble for many people. I hope that by understanding the relevant knowledge about allergic conjunctivitis, everyone can better prevent and deal with this disease, protect their eyes, and enjoy a healthy, comfortable and bright spring.