Cover news reporter Zhou Zhuoyue.
As the Spring Festival holiday is coming to an end, more and more people are returning to Chengdu, and the "post-holiday peak" of the ocular surface and corneal disease specialty of Chengdu Aidi Eye Hospital is coming, according to the department's statistics, nearly half of the patients came to the clinic because of "itchy eyes" and were diagnosed with "allergic conjunctivitis", which is what we call allergic conjunctivitis.
Director Kang Qian said that this may be due to the warm spring flowers, coupled with the sunny weather in Chengdu in recent days, more people have gone out to play, and they have been exposed to pollen, dust mites, mold and other allergens.
Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye caused by allergens, which is an immunoreactive eye disease that occurs in both eyes at the same time, most commonly in spring. Itchy eyes are the most common symptoms, but they can also be accompanied by eye redness, tearing, burning sensation, photophobia, increased discharge, etc., and some patients may be accompanied by allergic rhinitis, inflammation or asthma.
Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
When itchy eyes, red eyes and other conditions occur, do not rub your eyes with your hands, and those who wear **glasses should stop wearing them immediately (including orthokeratology lenses and rigid **glasses). In case of emergency treatment, local cold compress can be used to relieve discomfort; Preservative-free artificial tears can also be used to reduce the concentration of allergens and inflammatory factors; After that, it is necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner, according to the doctor's instructions**.
Important! 1. Don't use anti-allergic hormone drugs indiscriminately
Although the use of corticosteroids can relieve symptoms for a short time, it is easy to develop dependence; Secondly, improper use of hormone drugs may cause high intraocular pressure, the formation of drug-induced glaucoma, etc., causing irreversible damage to vision. Therefore, it is important to use hormone eye drops correctly under the guidance of a doctor.
2. Do not blindly use antibiotic drugs
Allergic conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis, and its symptoms are very similar to "pink eye", so it is often mistaken for pink eye. Unlike "pink eye", allergic conjunctivitis only requires the addition of antibiotic eye drops if there is an eye infection, and in general, allergic conjunctivitis does not require the use of antibiotic drugs.
Prevention of allergic conjunctivitis.
1.Keep the room clean.
Dust and mold are common allergens, so it's especially important to keep your room clean. Clean carpets, curtains, air conditioners, and furniture regularly to keep your room well ventilated and reduce the buildup of allergens.
2.Pay attention to pollen forecasts.
Pollen is one of the common allergens of allergic conjunctivitis. Pay attention to the local pollen forecast and try to avoid going out when the pollen concentration is high.
3.Wash your hands frequently.
Hand washing is one of the important measures to prevent allergic conjunctivitis. Because we often touch various objects with our hands, they may carry allergens. Frequent hand washing can reduce the chance of allergen transmission.
4.Do not rub your eyes.
The eyes are very sensitive organs, and rubbing the eyes can irritate the eye tissues and increase allergic reactions. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands to avoid aggravating your symptoms.
5.Wear breathable goggles and sunglasses.
Wearing breathable goggles and sunglasses outdoors can effectively reduce allergens such as pollen and dust mites from entering the eyes and reduce irritation.
6.Keep it moist.
Keeping indoor humidity and eyes moist is important to prevent allergic conjunctivitis. A humidifier can be used to increase indoor humidity, and eye drops such as artificial tears can be used to keep the eyes moist.
7.Be mindful of what you eat.
Diet also plays a role in preventing allergic conjunctivitis. Eat more foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as citrus fruits, nuts, fish, etc., to help boost immunity and reduce allergic reactions.