Swollen eyes from allergies is a common reason why patients visit their eye doctors. Allergies happen when a person develops hypersensitivity to something in the environment. The most common parts of the body affected are the skin, face, and eyes. Here is everything you need to know about this condition.
Swollen Eyes From Allergies: Everything You Need To Know
Who Suffers Swollen Eyes From Allergies?
Many people develop swollen eyes from allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that allergy is the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. The number of allergy cases has increased; allergy affects 40 percent of children and 30 percent of adults in the country. The most common symptoms include swollen eyes, skin rashes, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Eye allergies are also called allergic conjunctivitis.
What Are The Common Causes Of Swollen Eyes From Allergies?
A swollen eyelid happens when the connective tissues around the eye are inflamed. This condition can be (but isn’t always) painful, and it can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. The most common causes of eye inflammation are infections, injuries, and allergies.
Adverse immune reaction to certain allergens causes an eye allergy. These include:
- Pollen
- Mold
- Dander
- Dust
- Smoke
Some individuals may develop allergies to medicines such as pain relievers and antibacterials. Food and climate changes can also cause an allergic reaction.
When Do Swollen Eyes From An Allergic Reaction Occur?
Swollen eyes from an allergic reaction happen when the body’s immune system reacts to an allergen. It can be something you eat, inject into your body, touch, or inhale into your lungs. People can develop symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, a scratchy throat, a skin rash, and swollen eyes. An allergic reaction may cause a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. This causes hives, difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, asthma attacks, and even death.
Where In The Eyes Does Swelling From Allergies Occur?
The eyelids are the body part affected by an allergic reaction. Allergy can also affect the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the front part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. Aside from swollen eyelids after exposure to an allergen, the conjunctiva may become inflamed.
Why Do Eye Allergies Happen?
The exact cause of an allergy is still unclear, but the immune system pathways that cause inflammation may lead to an allergic reaction. The body launches an adverse immune reaction when it encounters allergic proteins. The reaction leads to allergic symptoms.
The immune system receives input from the environment. It produces an adaptive response in which it detects foreign invaders like microbes and allergens. The body attacks when it encounters a certain foreign object. The immune system launches an inflammatory response to allergens that have little to no effect on most individuals.
How To Manage Swollen Eyes From Allergies
The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that prevention is better than cure. The best way to avoid getting eye allergies is to avoid exposure to allergens. Also, if you have swollen eyes from allergies, it is best to visit your eye doctor immediately. The eye doctor may prescribe medicines and eye drops to reduce the itchiness and inflammation.
Learn more about swollen eyes from allergies in this video by eMedTV:
Do you experience swollen eyes from allergies? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
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