Seasonal allergies can be very bothersome and significantly reduce the joy of being outdoors in the most beautiful months of the year. The treatment options available vary depending on the severity of your symptoms. Antiallergic pills cause a number of side effects that hinder the functioning. For this reason, with a low and medium intensity of the allergic reaction, it is worth reaching for eye drops first. How do eye drops work for allergies? What substances do they contain? When not to use antiallergic eye drops?

In people with allergies, the eyes may water when foreign substances (or allergens) come into contact with the immune cells. As a consequence, they release a number of chemicals, including histamine, which is responsible for the development of an allergic reaction.Antiallergic dropscontain substances that block this process. Thanks to this, they inhibit the unpleasant symptoms of allergies that affect the eyes.

Allergy eye drops - when to use?

Allergy eye drops can relieve symptoms such as:

  • burning sensation,
  • foreign body sensation in the eye,
  • itching,
  • redness of the eyes,
  • swollen eyelid,
  • sharp eye pain.

There are many over-the-counter allergy eye drops on the market. In the event that the allergic symptoms are severe or the drug used does not bring relief, go to the doctor who will write a prescription for an appropriate preparation with a stronger effect.

Causes of allergic reactions in the eyes

In order to increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is worth avoiding factors that cause allergic reactions. They are individual for each patient and it is difficult to put together a one-size-fits-all allergen list.

You should observe your own body or perform specialized tests to determine what factor stimulates the appearance of disease symptoms.

The most common allergens that cause eye inflammation are:

  • pollen,
  • dust,
  • pet hair,
  • drugs,
  • lenses,
  • mold,
  • cigarette smoke,
  • perfume,
  • cosmetics.

Allergy eye drops - popular ingredients

Cromoglycansodium- This substance inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals such as histamine from immune cells. As a result, the allergic reaction is blocked.

Ectoine- this ingredient protects our cells against the effects of unfavorable factors, such as UV radiation and high temperature. Its protective properties are used in preparations that alleviate the symptoms of eye allergies and nasal mucosa.

Hyaluronic acid- is used as a component of preparations intended for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. It soothes irritations, moisturizes the eyeball and protects the cornea from drying out. For this reason, it is often found in allergy eye drops.

Azelastine- this substance inhibits the allergic reaction by blocking histamine receptors. As a result, cells gain partial insensitivity to the action of the inflammatory mediator, which is histamine.

Ketotifen- the ingredient soothes irritations and prevents itching of the eyes, which accompanies most seasonal allergies. It has an antihistamine effect, which means that it inhibits the allergic reaction.

Olopatadine- the substance inhibits the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. It works by both blocking histamine receptors and reducing the release of histamine by immune cells.

Allergy eye drops - types

Antihistamine eye drops

Doctors most often recommend antihistamine drops as the first treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. These drugs inhibit symptoms such as itching and tearing. Their action is based on blocking the sensitivity to histamine in the body.

Histamine is a substance produced by cells in the immune system after contact with an allergen. It is she who stimulates an unpleasant allergic reaction.

Eye drops containing an antihistamine quickly relieve allergic symptoms. The beneficial effect usually lasts for several hours. However, these preparations have their serious drawbacks. Their long use leads to dry eyes.

Antihistamine eye drops may contain:

  • azelastine
  • ketotifen

Decongesting eye drops

The use of decongestant eye drops is not a very good idea if you have a seasonal allergy. These preparations quickly lighten the whites of the eyes and reduce their congestion for a short time.

They work by narrowing the blood vessels around the eyes. People with allergies often reach for them because they bring quick,clear effect. Unfortunately, their frequent use carries the risk of the appearance of "rebound redness". This means that there is permanent redness in the eyes which disappears only after the application of the medicine.

Decongestant eye drops are available over the counter, but doctors advise against using them to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Patients with glaucoma should never use decongestant eye drops.

Eye drops that inhibit histamine release

One of the newest types of eye drops are preparations that inhibit the release of histamine by immune cells.

As a consequence, the decrease in the amount of histamine leads to the relief of allergy symptoms. The advantage of these preparations is that they can be used safely for many months.

The over-the-counter drugs in this category include Ketotifen Fumarate.

Multicomponent eye drops for allergies

Some antiallergic eye drops contain more than one active ingredient.

For example, they may contain an antihistamine and an ingredient to moisturize or decongest the eyes.

Eye drops for allergies - contraindications for use

If you have symptoms of an eye infection, do not use antiallergic eye drops without consulting your doctor first.

Glaucoma patients cannot use multiple eye drops. In this case, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.

Antiallergic eye drops cannot be used while wearing contact lenses. It is worth consulting this problem with a specialist. Your doctor may recommend that you remove them during the application of the preparation and put them on again after a certain period of time, or give them up for the duration of the treatment.

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