Allergies, advice?

[elvishthistle]

I have pretty bad allergies, and I am now starting to connect that with my DES. I use Pataday and that seems to help a lot! But I still get it pretty bad not only in my eyes but sinuses, skin etc. I am allergic to my husbands dog so I try to avoid him as much as possible. What are some methods you use to control your allergies? What do you wash your face/eyelashes with? I am using baby shampoo every night, though I don't know if it is making a difference.

[mclaire66]

I have pretty bad allergies, and I am now starting to connect that with my DES. I use Pataday and that seems to help a lot! But I still get it pretty bad not only in my eyes but sinuses, skin etc. I am allergic to my husbands dog so I try to avoid him as much as possible. What are some methods you use to control your allergies? What do you wash your face/eyelashes with? I am using baby shampoo every night, though I don't know if it is making a difference.

hiya, i found out recently that my eye problems were a result of allergy, from what i understand if the allergy is severe enough and other methods aren't controlling your symptoms allergy shots are a good option, i just started them and tho i know they will take months to kick in i think in the long run it is the best road for me (especially since i'm allergic to dust which is unavoidable)--i have mgd/blepharitis as a result of the allergy so i do the eye lid cleansing with the q-tip every morning after showering, but i don't do heat packs anymore i do cold packs after the eyelid cleanse because it helps with the inflammation--i've read baby shampoo has been irritating to some people and i think it was for me too so i switched to cetaphil on meebo's advice (it is milder and fragrance free) and seems to help--have you seen an allergist? good luck!

[TheJuicer]

I am 6 months into allergy shots hoping that will help my DES. My dry eyes are most severe at night and in the morning with lots mucus I am guessing from the inflammation from allergies when I sleep. Once I wake up, add a few drops of refresh tears and shower it seems things get better. Although sometimes it seems my shots make my eyes itch and irritated for a few hours afterwards. I have lots of mucus in the morning and some throughout the day at random times. Pataday didn't seem to do much except help with GPC under my lids. Doc says shots won't start helping until around 1 year. I do heat packs but I am thinking of switching to cold packs. Warm seems to get out the mucus in the eye though. I am anxious to hear other results with allergy shots and DES.

Thanks

[elvishthistle]

Thanks for the responses! I have not yet seen an allergist, but I think I will have to and consider getting on some shots. I am pretty sure the cause of my DE is allergies. Unfortunately I found out I am very allergic to my husband's dog. We went away on vacation and for the first time I actually started feeling normal again...but when I returned home the symptoms and problems hit me like a ton of bricks. I definitely want to go back to feeling normal ASAP so I will be planning a trip to an allergist very very soon.

[Shahara]

Hi there

I suffered with bad DES and I mean the most worse baddest DES thinkable.

Anyway, I tried loads of drops, gels, Restasis etc. But nothing really helped me. This was also due to allergies. 2006 I tried restasis, after a year I gave up. Then in 2007 I went to a homeopathic Doc. she adviced me to eat flaxseed, avoid spicy stuff etc.
I also suffer with hayfever, cat/dog hair allergics etc.
Homeopathic medication from DHU is really good. I don't know if this is available in the states, I live in Germany.
These are tablets/drops with a combination of "Luffa Opertuculata D4, Galphimia glauca D3, Cardiospermum D3. If you happen to go to a homeopath, you can ask about this. Hope I was able to help a bit.
Take care

[elvishthistle]

I suffered with bad DES and I mean the most worse baddest DES thinkable.

Anyway, I tried loads of drops, gels, Restasis etc. But nothing really helped me. This was also due to allergies. 2006 I tried restasis, after a year I gave up. Then in 2007 I went to a homeopathic Doc. she adviced me to eat flaxseed, avoid spicy stuff etc.
I also suffer with hayfever, cat/dog hair allergics etc.
Homeopathic medication from DHU is really good. I don't know if this is available in the states, I live in Germany.
These are tablets/drops with a combination of "Luffa Opertuculata D4, Galphimia glauca D3, Cardiospermum D3. If you happen to go to a homeopath, you can ask about this. Hope I was able to help a bit.
Take care

Thanks for the info! I haven't heard of DHU but I will look for something similar. Or perhaps I should consider going to a homeopath, that might be a good idea. I do take Flaxseed oil but I'm not sure if it's doing anything or not.
Thanks again for the response!

[skygoddess]

OK, I am probably starting to sound like a broken record.
But I know just how awful MGD and everything that goes with it can be.

I was diagnosed first with blepharitis, then Ocular rosacea.
I did lid scrubs till I had dishpan hands.
I took all my supplements.
Steroid , drops, creams, restasis, every OTC drop available.
Demodex treatments.
Nothing helped.
Found Azasite, felt better, but the stupid pain always returned.
Antidepressants.
Then a Dr suggested I get contactallergy tests. Not the pin pricks.

Well oh my gosh,
Allergic to :
BABY SHAMPOO
Black rubber
Fragrance
Acrylates- in artificial nails, nail polish, and almost all hair styling products
Balsam of Peru
cocosomething or another. in almost every shampoo out there
Anyway you get the picture.

It took me a while to eliminate all the allergens in my life, but when I finally did ,WOW what a difference.

Eyes and eyelids are pretty much pain free, unless I get cocky and try something new, ( I do so miss conditioner)

I have posted links to some interesting articles on contact allergic reactions on the eyes and eyelids in the past.

Hey, when nothing else is working, what have you got to lose.

Some things to try,
Start by switching to a fragrance free ( not unscented, not the same)
Laundry soap. Pillow cases at night could be a issue.

Careful what goes on your hair. Unless you are bald, a hair or two will contact your eyes at some time during the day.

Anything that is airborne, could be a problem.
Basically, if I smell it My eyes can be affected.

Many people allergic to hair dye , only react with edema of the lids.

Nickle, car keys, etc affect lids. You transfer the allergen with your hands.

Just something to consider when you have tried everything else.

[lilahp]

Would love to read the articles but cannot find them. Thanks - very interesting thoughts!

[skygoddess]

Article on Contact allergic reactions of eyes and lids

Try this,

www.ophthalmologia.be/download.php?dof_id=217

[Royal Eyeness]

Thank you, SkyGoddess, your information is very helpful.