Eczema: can Pollen severe Form of conjunctivitis cause – Naturopathy naturopathy specialist portal

Pollen can trigger in people with atopic dermatitis, severe conjunctivitis

Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases. In Germany, more than four million people are affected. Typical symptoms of itching, eczema and very dry skin. Currently, the risk that you will develop a Pollen-induced severe Form of the binding skin inflammation is Concerned.

For weeks, the pollen season is in full swing. Many people, unfortunately, again symptoms such as reddened and itchy eyes. For patients with atopic dermatitis particular caution is required: In this case, Pollen may contribute to a severe Form of conjunctivitis. What to do in these cases, explain the experts of the German Ophthalmological society (DOG) in a recent communication.

More than four million people in Germany are affected

The eczema (atopic Dermatitis, atopic eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.

The Allergy information service of the Helmholtz Zentrum München – German research center for environmental health, according to the number of atopic dermatitis-diagnosis increases.

According to the experts of the German Dermatological society (DDG) indicates that each year two million children and 2.5 million adults eczema suffering.

Threat to the eyesight

“Who is suffering from atopic dermatitis, is particularly susceptible to a non-infectious conjunctivitis, which can also be due to Pollen or amplified, triggered, skin,” explains Professor Dr. med. Philip Maier of the Department of ophthalmology of the University hospital Freiburg.

How the DOG writes, it comes in at 25 to 40 percent of atopic dermatitis patients and patients to a more severe Form of the binding skin inflammation, atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKK).

“You left untreated, can lead to corneal complications, and thus threatening for the eyesight,” said the ophthalmologist. Experts suggest that the structural protein Filaggrin could be the cause of this.

“In patients with atopic dermatitis in the skin as well as in the horn, a faulty Filaggrin skin to be proven in production,” reported the researchers from Freiburg, has published with colleagues an article in the journal “The ophthalmologist” was.

By the itching of conditional strong rubbing Eyes, especially in children, can promote a new, in the journal “Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology” published a study according to corneal complications.

In the case of alarm signals to the eye doctor

As the DOG explains, a AKK, first as a “normal” conjunctivitis with itchy, red and watery eyes, swollen eyelids and a foreign body sensation in the eye – the symptoms are often stronger than in the case of a purely allergic conjunctivitis. But there are important differences.

“In addition, it often comes to the typical thickening of the lower eyelid canthus to skin changes such as flaking or wrinkles, and skin cracks at the lower eyelid. Also, the binder shows inflammation of the skin often for a long time, in spite of care measures, no Improvement“, explains Maier.

In severe cases the corneal superficial Defects up to ulcers may occur, or the blood vessels grow, which leads to the skin in extreme cases, to blindness, because of the complete opacity of the cornea.

“Anyone who suffers from eczema, and signs of a connective skin noticed inflammation, should go to, therefore, quickly eye doctor. This also applies if the eczema has occurred in the family,“ advises Maier.

The eye doctor or the eye doctor detects by examination of the eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea with the slit-lamp microscope, whether it is a typical form of conjunctivitis, in both eyes are affected. “On the Wearing of contact lenses during conjunctivitis should be avoided, in principle, first of all,” said the DOG expert.

Regular ophthalmological controls

According to the communication, the daily eyelid care belongs to the therapy of the AKK – a careful cleaning of the eyelids with a damp cotton pad or swab, accompanied by the Laying on of a thermal mask, which is heated in the microwave or in the oven.

Against dryness and itching gels or Tear substitutes without preservatives, the washing out Pollen and help accordingly.

In the case of severe itching several times per day anti – allergic eye drops can be applied antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of histamine or its effect at least suppress the Allergy symptoms alleviate.

“In stubborn AKK-cases-modulatory eye-drops get immune to, such as cyclosporine A,” says Maier. According to a post surgical interventions on the eyelids and the surface of the eye are sometimes necessary.

Regular ophthalmologic controls are at a AKK is especially important to avoid late effects as much as possible. “And for the treatment of the underlying disease, the eczema must be considered an allergist or dermatologist,” says Maier. (ad)