Dec 13, 2008

Got Red Eyes ? Allergic Conjunctivitis Is Treatable

by: Brue Baker

Eye allergies affect millions of people every year. There are a few different eye allergies and allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common. Although it does affect a lot of people allergic conjunctivitis happens to be one of the most treatable eye conditions, both in children and in adults. In order to treat conjunctivitis however, one must know the major causes. There are many different factors that can cause allergic conjunctivitis, including:* Viruses* Bacteria* Irritating substances* Sexually transmitted diseasesTreatment For Allergic ConjuctivitisThere are a few different treatment options when it comes to the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. One is topical decongestants, which are medicines that help to reduce redness in the eyes by constricting small blood vessels in the eye. As a result the eyes look less pink and are less irritated in general. However, these are not recommended for long term use and typically doctors will only suggest that the patient use them for a couple of weeks at the very most.
There are also many topical antihistamines that are available for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis which also help to reduce redness in the eyes but as well swelling and itching. There are topical steroids which are often recommended and which must be used with careful consideration because otherwise they can be potentially dangerous. The specific treatment plan for allergic conjunctivitis that is going to work best will have to be determined by a medical professional. Your doctor will take your personal characteristics into consideration as well as a number of other factors including how severe the condition is and how long you have been dealing with it for. All of these issues are going to play an important role not only in the matter of the doctor deciding on the appropriate treatment, but also on how you can prevent yourself from getting it again in the future.There are many other eye allergies that one can develop as well and of course prevention is always the best method. Some prevention methods include:* Washing your hands frequently (especially after meals and going to the bathroom)* Avoiding shaking hands as much as possible* Not using anyone else's cosmetics* Not using other people's personal items Just as one would to prevent a cold, it is important to stay guarded against bacteria and disease because this is how the conjunctivitis, allergic or not, begins. The best way to stay guarded is to amp up your immune system.
You can do this through exercise, following a healthy diet of organic fruits and vegetables as well as taking a natural immune booster such as Echinacea or Interferon. If you have already developed conjunctivitis make sure that you go see your doctor and follow any of their recommendations. Otherwise remember to follow the preventative measures listed above to keep you out of the doctor's office in the future. Good luck on you journey towards health and wellness!

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