Eye Allergies and Conjunctivitis

If you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor will recommend that you avoid allergens that you know trigger a reaction. This may be hard to do where the allergens, such as pollen, are seasonal and airborne. Because of this, allergic conjunctivitis is usually treated with oral antihistamines. An antihistamine acts against the allergic reaction caused by the production of histamine. Your doctor may also recommend eye drops to relieve redness, swelling, and itching. Viral conjunctivitis will usually go away on its own, without treatment. However, your doctor may also prescribe eyedrops and antihistamine pills to help relieve symptoms. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eyedrops or ointment. All types of conjunctivitis can be relieved by gently bathing the eye area with cool to lukewarm water and a clean washcloth to remove any discharge. Then, gently pat the eye area dry with a clean towel. Conjunctivitis caused by an infection is highly contagious, so you must be careful to wash your hands before and after bathing the eyes and applying medication. Keep any towels and washcloths used for the eyes separate from the rest of your towels and washcloths. Do not wear contact lenses until after the eyes have healed. If the infection is in only one eye, be careful not to touch the infected eye, then touch the healthy eye. Infectious"