Spring time again!!!

Hello everyone!! Ok, so every Spring I get what I believe to be the worst allergies ever! In the summertime I take Reactine everyday for an allergy to pollen. It helps a lot. But in springtime...nothing helps!! I will wake up in the morning and my eyes are crusted over so much that I actually cannot open them. I have to get up (with my eyes closed), make my way to the bathroom, wet a cloth with warm water, and wait for the "crust" to loosen up so that I can pick it off. I have lost A LOT of eyelashes this way lol. It is quite disgusting. I can't even put eyeliner on my eyes because my eyes are watery all day long and burn. I try using Visine and Reactine but it doesn't even help in the slightest. I tried to use Claritan last year and that didn't do anything either. Also, my sinuses act up a lot too and I get a cold. By the time June rolls around I develop bronchitis. The bronchitis has happened for the past three years and I am guessing it will return again this year. If this sounds familiar to anyone then please tell me how you got rid of it! Thanks for reading.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
What you have is probably blepharitis or inflammation of eye lids. “A typical lid margin hygiene routine consists of 4 steps:

• Softening of lid margin debris and oils: Apply a warm wet compress to the lids - such as a washcloth with hot water - for about 2 minutes.
• Mechanical removal of lid margin debris: At end of shower routine, wash your face with a wash cloth. Use facial soap or non-burning baby shampoo (make sure to dilute the soap solution 1/10 with water first). Gently and repeatedly rub along the lid margins while eyes are closed.
• Antibiotic reduction of lid margin bacteria (at the discretion of your physician): After lid margin cleaning, spread small amount of prescription antibiotic ophthalmic ointment with finger tip along lid fissure while eyes closed. Use prior to bed time as opposed to in the morning to avoid blurry vision.
• Avoid the use of eye make-up until symptoms subside.
• An alternative after washing is to coat the eyelids with a good quality hair conditioner. Leave in place for several minutes then rinse. The conditioner seems to break the bacteria / crusting /irritation cycle, and daily use can eliminate the symptoms.” Refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blepharitis

Hope these tips help. If symptoms persist consult an eyespecialist. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[alynnm]

Thanks so much for the information! My sister and I have been both getting this for years. I'll give it a try.