Allergies

The allergies are exaggerated answers of the immunological system (the defenses of our organism) when making contact with enemy with certain substances, calls allergens.

Its appearance breaks out again in spring, because one of the groups of more frequent allergens is pollens, reproductive cells of the plants that proliferate during this station.

That it is the allergy to pollen: It is the excessive reaction of the organism when making contact with enemy with the pollen of the plants that is in suspension at certain times of the year.

In the United States the most common time for these allergies is the spring.

Between the most common symptoms we have:

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of your eyes and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.

Considerations

If you have dry eyes, you will feel a burning, scratching, or stinging sensation. You may also have strained or tired eyes after reading, even for short periods of time. If you wear contacts, they will likely feel uncomfortable. Having dry eyes for a while can lead to tiny abrasions on the surface of your eyes.

Common Causes

Common causes of dry eyes include:

Dry environment or workplace (wind, air conditioning)

Sun exposure

Smoking or second-hand smoke exposure

Cold or allergy medicines       an eye injury or other problem with your eyes or eyelids (like a drooping eyelid or bulging eyes)

Includes dry eyes, mouth, and mucus membranes, and often rheumatoid arthritis or other joint disorder

Itching, Burning Eye

Definition

Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.

Considerations

Sometimes burning and itching eyes are due to environmental pollutants that might be eliminated by social action. If second hand cigarette smoke is annoying, say so.

Common Causes

     Allergies, including seasonal allergies or fever

       Conjunctivitis or pink eye (a viral infection of the eye surface)

     Irritants in the air (cigarette smoke or smog)

      Chemical irritants (swimming pool or makeup)

     Bacterial infections.

Vernal conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Definition

Vernal conjunctivitis is a seasonal inflammation of the outer lining of the eyes, which is thought to be due to an allergic reaction.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Vernal conjunctivitis is thought to be caused by allergic reactions. Often, it occurs in people with a strong family history of allergies.

It is most common during the spring and summer.

The condition is characterized by itchy, watery eyes. The underside of the eyelids may become rough and covered with bumps and whitish mucus. Tissue around the cornea where the white of the eye and the cornea meet may become rough and swollen.

If this swelling and roughness moves over the cornea, it may cause scarring and decreased vision.

Nasal discharge

Definition

Nasal discharge is any mucus-like material that comes out of the nose.

Considerations

Nasal discharges are common, but rarely serious. Drainage from inflamed or infected sinuses may be thick or discolored.

Excess mucus production may run down the back of your throat or cause a cough that is usually worse at night. A sore throat may also result from excessive mucus drainage.

The mucus drainage may plug up the Eustachian tube between the nose and the ear, causing an ear infection and pain. The mucus drip may also plug the sinus passages, causing sinus infection and pain.

Common Causes

• Colds
• Flu
• Fever
• Sinusitis
• Head injury
• Bacterial infections
• Small objects in the nostril (especially in children)

Sneezing

Definition

A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth.

Considerations

Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.

Common Causes

Allergy to pollen, mold, dander, dust (fever)

Virus infections (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections)

Drug withdrawal

Corticosteroid inhalation

Nasal irritants such as dust and powders

Recommendations and Treatment:

Patients with severe seasonal allergies should start medications a few weeks before the pollen season and continue taking them until the season is over. Effective medications include:

Drugs that reduce the inflammatory response are important for preventing severe allergic rhinitis. Nasal corticosteroids (commonly called steroids) are now considered to be the most effective measure for preventing allergy attacks. Other anti-inflammatory drugs include leukotriene-antagonists and nasal cromolyn.

Antihistamine tablets relieve sneezing and itching and can prevent nasal congestion before an allergy attack. Many brands are available by prescription and over-the-counter.

Immunotherapy (”allergy shots”) may be considered for patients with severe seasonal allergies that do not respond to treatment. It may also prevent asthma and the development of new allergies in children.

Many experts now recommend immunotherapy for people with both asthma and allergies. Newer immunotherapeutic approaches using specially designed antibodies and vaccines are also showing promise.

All drug treatments have side effects, some very unpleasant and, in rare cases, serious. Patients may need to try different drugs until they find one that relieves symptoms without producing excessively distressing side effects.

Treating Nasal Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

Because seasonal allergies generally last only a few weeks, most doctors do not recommend the more potent prescription treatments for children. It is important for parents to determine if the child is actually under severe distress and that the parent is not simply responding to their own anxiety when they hear the child snorting or snoring. Prescription drugs are required only in severe cases. However, in children with both asthma and allergies, treatments for allergic rhinitis may also improve asthmatic symptoms.

Mild allergy attacks usually require little more than reducing exposure to allergens and using a nasal wash. Dozens of treatments are available for allergic rhinitis. Many are available over-the-counter, but some require a prescription. They include the following:

• Nasal washes
• Decongestants that relieve nasal congestion and itchy eyes
• Decongestant/antihistamine combinations

Due to side effects, decongestants should not be used in children ages 14 years or younger. Also, overuse of congestion’s can actually worsen sinus congestion.

Patients with chronic allergic rhinitis, particularly if they also have asthma, may require daily medications. These drugs include:

Antihistamines. The newer non-sedating antihistamines — such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), or desloratadine (Clarinex) — cause less drowsiness than older antihistamines, such as Benadryl. Some of the newer drugs, such as Zyrtec and Clarinex, may also relieve nasal congestion.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. Nasal corticosteroids are now considered to be the most effective measure for preventing allergy attacks. They are recommended for patients with very severe allergies that do not respond to antihistamines.

Leukotriene-antagonists and nasal cromolyn may be beneficial in specific cases of allergies

Immunotherapy (”allergy shots”) works well for many patients with severe allergies. It is also proving to reduce asthma symptoms and the use of asthma medications in patients with known allergies.