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June Health Tip from Dr. Barrow

Q. Sometimes, my eyes get bloodshot and really itchy. This occasionally occurs in the Fall, but it happens a lot in the Spring. I don’t have any coughing or sneezing, though. Could it still be allergies?

A. You have described a form of seasonal allergies called allergic conjunctivitis. This is an inflammation of the eye’s lining due to allergies. Although allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by prominent blood vessels (“bloodshot eyes”), increased tears and mild crusting of the lids, the hallmark of allergic conjunctivitis is intense itching. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by infections such as viruses or bacteria (also known as “pink eye”), so it is important to distinguish between the various forms of conjunctivitis because the treatment is different for each.

Seasonal allergies typically occur in the Spring and Fall months, coincident with exposures to the pollen of flowering plants and trees. Spring allergies are usually due to grasses, while fall allergies are most often due to ragweed. The usual symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and watery, itchy eyes. Some people may also experience lung symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.

The good news is that there is some relief available for allergy sufferers. There are a variety of good eye drops that can improve the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, and there are several medications that can be taken orally to control the other symptoms. In the past, these medications contained antihistamines that could make you sleepy, but the newer ones do not cause drowsiness. Also available are nasal inhalers, which help control symptoms often associated with seasonal allergies such as nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose. For patients with severe symptoms, allergy desensitization shots are also available. Other measures to control seasonal allergies include keeping your windows closed and using air filters to prevent circulation of the pollen within your home.

If you have seasonal allergies, please see your internist for an examination. He or she has medications available to help make your yearly battle with allergies a bit easier

For more information:
MU Health Sciences Library