Spring and summer are the time of flowering of plants, activity of insects, ripening of berries and fruits. All of these factors are often the cause of allergies.
This disease is also caused by adverse environmental conditions, the use of certain medicines, the use of cosmetics.
Allergic edema: causes
This pathology appears due to the body's reaction to an irritating substance.
Allergies, puffy eyes, and redness of the eyelids and whites of the eyes are caused by the following factors:
- Cosmetics and hygiene products (foams, lotions, shampoos, eye shadows and pencils, mascara).
- Flowers, down and pollen of plants.
- Toxins that enter the bloodstream from the stings of bees, bumblebees, wasps, mosquitoes, ants, and so on.
- Reaction to sun exposure.
- Food allergies (fruits and vegetables, honey, milk, fish, shellfish, berries, spices, sweets).
- Allergic reaction to feathers, down, pet fur.
- Perfume, deodorant, eau de toilette.
- Paints, glue,detergents.
- Taking certain medications (most often hormonal drugs and antibiotics).
- The impact of bacteria and viruses on the gastrointestinal tract.
The specific substance that causes swelling of the eyes can only be determined by a doctor. To do this, you need to do laboratory tests - tests for allergies. Once the cause is established, adhere to the treatment prescribed by the specialist and avoid or limit interaction with the allergen as much as possible.
Signs of illness
As a rule, if an allergy occurs, the eyes itch and swell. But this state is also characterized by such manifestations as:
- Paleness or bluish tint to the skin.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
- Tearing, sometimes runny nose.
- Fever, fatigue and lethargy.
Usually the swelling affects one eye, but sometimes both. Swelling is usually not accompanied by pain, since there are no mechanical damage to the skin and mucous membranes. If a person has allergies and swollen eyes, he is worried about severe itching, which increases at night. In rare cases, the swelling goes away on its own, about two days after it appears. Sometimes it persists for a long time or even intensifies. In any case, you should not expect that symptoms such as allergies, swollen eyes will go away on their own. If these diseases are left without attention, do not consult a doctor and do not follow the recommendations prescribed by him,more serious pathologies may occur.
Complications of allergies
One of the most dangerous consequences of this disease is Quincke's edema, which poses a direct threat to human life, as it can cause asphyxia. This complication provokes a high concentration of a foreign substance in the patient's blood. With angioedema, not only the eyelids swell, but also the cheeks and throat.
If symptoms such as allergies, swollen eyes are present, and a person does not take measures to combat this pathology, complications such as impaired blood supply to the eyeball may appear. At the same time, the patient's vision deteriorates sharply.
If a person scratches their eyes too often and hard, bacteria and viruses enter them, which leads to inflammation.
With severe swelling on the anterior shell of the eye, a seal or a pathological process of connective tissue may develop.
First Aid
If there is a suspicion that a person has a severe allergic reaction and possibly Quincke's edema begins, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to give the patient as much liquid as possible so that the foreign substance quickly leaves the cells of the body. If a person has previously experienced allergic reactions (itching, redness of the skin, runny nose, sneezing and coughing), he should take the medication prescribed by the doctor. It is not recommended to make lotions from tea leaves or medicinal herbs, as they can increase swelling.
In some cases, if there is a strongallergies on the face, swollen eyes, the doctor prescribes an examination in a hospital setting to determine the cause of the pathology and stop the acute condition. As a rule, the diagnosis in this case is not difficult, but it must be passed. To do this, you need to pass a series of tests (blood and urine tests), as well as visit an ENT, a general practitioner and an allergy specialist. Determination of the substance that provoked a negative reaction of the body is an integral stage in the treatment of the patient.
Treatment methods
If a person has swollen eyes and allergies, what to do in this case? What steps should be taken to relieve symptoms?
Allergy to the eyes is a very common pathology, it occurs in both adults and children. Causes it to enter the body of a foreign substance. It can penetrate both through the blood and through the gastrointestinal tract. Allergy symptoms are stopped by antihistamine drugs, which neutralize the effect of the irritating component on human organs and systems. Such drugs include, for example, Lomilan, Clarisens, Erius, Cetrin, Loratadin, Tavegil, Claritin.
To reduce itching and swelling of the eyes, drops are usually used (Alomid, Ketotifen, Lekrolin), as well as hormonal ointments (Dexamethasone, Celestoderm). These products contain hormones and should only be used as directed by a doctor. If the allergy is accompanied by profuse tearing and irritation of the membranes of the eyes, drops can be used to narrow the vessels("Naftizin" or "Vizin"). The feeling of dryness is helped to remove "Sistane" and "Vidisik". If there are wounds on the skin of the eyelids and it begins to peel off, ointments based on lanolin or glycerin, as well as antimicrobial and disinfecting agents, should be used. In a situation where an allergy appears, the eyes itch and swell, what to treat, what means to use - it is better to consult a specialist.
Causes of eye swelling in children
If a child has swelling of the eyelids and redness of the skin, the following factors may have contributed:
- Mechanical damage.
- Diseases of a bacterial or viral nature.
- Allergies (to pollen, dust, food, pet feathers and fur, cleaning products, etc.).
- Pathologies of the kidneys.
- Impaired intracranial pressure.
- Heart disease.
- Sleep disorders.
- Acute respiratory disease.
If the eyes are swollen, an allergy in a child may also be accompanied by symptoms such as increased tearing, runny nose, cough. When complications occur, the face and throat swell.
Eye diseases and injuries in children
Swelling may be associated with the presence of pathological processes such as:
- Inflammation of the connective membrane of the eye (manifested by redness, tearing, purulent discharge).
- Inflammation of the eyelash bulbs (severe and painful swelling of the tissues, redness of the skin).
- Phlegmon (accompanied by pain andswelling of the eyelids, high fever).
- Insect bites (toxins entering the eye and eyelid skin cause redness and tearing, as well as intense itching).
- Injury (foreign bodies: particles of earth, dust, lime, powder, and so on provoke eye irritation).
When unpleasant symptoms occur, the question arises that if an allergy occurs, the eyes of a child are swollen, what to do.
Therapy Methods
In case of itching, you need to make sure that the child scratches his eyes as little as possible, as this can lead to such serious consequences as mechanical damage and infection.
Trying to treat symptoms such as allergies and puffy eyes on your own is highly discouraged.
If these signs appear in a child, you should consult a doctor. If, as a result of the examination, the diagnosis of "allergy" is confirmed, the specialist will prescribe the appropriate therapy. Usually, in such cases, antiallergic drugs are prescribed (for example, Fenistil, Loratadin, or Tavegil drops), as well as adsorbents - drugs to remove harmful substances from the body.
It must be remembered that if the swelling of the eyes in a child is not accompanied by tearing and itching, this is most likely a sign of pathology of the kidneys or heart. In this situation, a comprehensive examination and treatment is necessary.
Sometimes irritation, swelling and itching are associated with eye injury. Then the child needs urgent medical attention, becausemechanical damage can lead to a decrease or even complete loss of vision. Depending on the situation, the doctor either removes the foreign body and disinfects the eye, or prescribes drugs that speed up the healing process.
In the presence of an inflammatory process, ointments (erythromycin, tetracycline), as well as lotions with extracts of calendula and chamomile are prescribed.
