Eye Allergies: Allergic Conjunctivitis

When people think of allergies, they normally think of runny noses, itchy skin, hives, and other physical reactions. While itchy, watery eyes are a common symptom of many allergies, it is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. Eye allergies are most commonly manifested in the form of allergic conjunctivitis. While conjunctivitis is normally associated with bacterial or viral pink eye infections, the true definition of conjunctivitis is the irritation of the conjunctiva, or outer membrane of the eye. The conjunctiva is made of the same types of tissue as the inside of the nose, so in most cases the same allergens that irritate noses will also cause eye allergies.

Eye allergies can occur from the same sources as skin or respiratory allergies, most commonly:

Like most allergies, eye allergies cannot be cured, and symptom management, as well as the avoidance of allergens, is the only way to manage the condition and get some eye allergy relief. Some of the most commonly used methods of reducing eye allergy symptoms include staying inside when pollen levels are high, avoiding pets if necessary, and washing your hands often to avoid contamination from touching your eyes and face.