Rains are in this monsoon. Yet we can’t ignore getting drenched in heavy rains. Getting wet in the rains might not be a good thing for your body since monsoon not only brings heavy showers but also with it an army of infections. Needless to say, viral infections are the most common ones. They max out during the monsoon season because of the sudden boost up of the moisture levels in the climate. Among all infection, eyes are the worst affected part of the human body owing to this weather change and invite upon several eye diseases like allergic conjunctivitis.

You might have got hurt from itchy eyes which become red the moment you rub it. But don’t ignore it as it could be conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis literally means inflammation of the conjunctiva – the thin protective membrane of the eyes.

Types of Allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is of two types – acute allergic conjunctivitis and chronic, acute conjunctivitis. Acute allergic conjunctivitis means the serial allergy which comes up during monsoons. Conjunctivitis spreads through direct contact. For instance, hand to eye touch can cause conjunctivitis. Because going by the facts, it is highly infectious. It can endure for a minimum of 3 days up to 7 days.

Redness at all times doesn’t mean conjunctivitis; there are a variety of other reasons that can cause red or itchy eyes. It might be dust or excessive strain on the eyes or restlessness, which can cause redness of the eyes. However, do not confuse yourself between the said reasons and conjunctivitis. It is always sensible that if you face itchiness, redness, watery eyes, swelling, hard-time blinking, dry eyes for over 2 days, then you must visit your ophthalmologists once. So, it might be allergic conjunctivitis or another eye-related disease; it is always in your good health interest to get an expert monitor your eyes.

Tips for your eye protection

Here are a few tips to protect you from eye conjunctivitis:

  • Maintain personal hygiene.
  • Avoid touching your eyes without a proper hand wash.
  • Clean your eyes with cold water every time you come from outside.
  • If you feel that there is the least amount of pain in your eyes or you have been in touch with the person who has conjunctivitis, give your eyes cold compressions. It is better to apply after you come home. It is all the better if you visit a doctor before the diseases aggravate.
  • If someone at home is suffering from conjunctivitis, check to see that every time you are putting drops in their eyes or giving them cold water compressions, you wash your hands carefully. Particularly, before and after you make contact with the other person.
  • Put 2 drops of rose water without fail prior to your bedtime.
  • If you wear contact lenses, avoid using them during monsoons as the chances of infection are greater with lenses.
  • Also, never share cosmetics. Risk of infection only doubles when you share them.
  • Avoid swimming, visiting water parks during monsoon. As not only conjunctivitis, your body can get prone to other diseases too!
  • Avoid touching public taps, handles. If you get in contact with them, always keep a sanitiser and use it often.
  • Wear glasses to keep your eyes sheltered and protected from external invasions.
  • Avoid self-medication – for you never know the effect of drugs.
  • Never apply steroid eye drops. Always consult your doctor before using them. In case of the non-availability of a doctor, opt for antibiotic drops over steroid eye drops.

Conjunctivitis is not a one-time-only disease as the chances of contracting it are endless. As always, prevention is better than cure!