轉天氣，無有怕！3招舒緩過敏性結膜炎
3 Ways to Relieve Allergic Conjunctivitis
一轉天氣，相信唔少人都會受過敏徵狀困擾。當中過敏性結膜炎，亦係非常普遍。一般來說，過敏性結膜炎是季節性的，除了眼睛痕癢外，亦會出現眼腫及淚水分泌增加的情況，但如果不肯定自己的眼睛問題是過敏性還是其他原因，便最好立即求醫。
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common condition that causes troublesome allergic symptoms affecting many people. In general, allergic conjunctivitis is seasonal. It causes symptoms like itchy eyes, eye swelling and increased tear secretion. If you are not sure whether your eye problem is caused by allergic conjunctivitis or not, you should better consult a doctor in advance.
不少過敏性結膜炎的患者，都會同時有鼻敏感。要減少過敏性結膜炎，方法與鼻敏感一樣，要先找出致敏的原因，然後盡量避免接觸有關致敏原。
Many people may also suffer from allergic rhinitis at the same time. The mainstay of treatment of both is the same, which is to identify the allergens that trigger allergy and to avoid contact with them.
藥物方面，如果同時患有過敏性結膜炎及鼻敏感，建議有需要時可用口服抗組織胺，因為它能同時舒緩眼睛及鼻腔的過敏反應，口服抗組織胺可分為第一代及第二代，相比第一代，第二代抗組織胺例如Loratadine通常不會有睡意，較適合上學上班一族。
In terms of drug therapy, if patients are suffering from both allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis, oral anti-histamines can be used on an as-needed basis. Oral anti-histamines are classified into two generations. Loratadine, a second generation anti-histamine, is commonly used. It does not cause drowsiness and hence is more favourable for people who need to work or study.
如果只患有過敏性結膜炎，這時可用抗組織胺眼藥水，例子包括Ketotifen、 Emedastine、Olopatadine，它們能夠直接減少眼睛的敏感徵狀。而當中的Olopatadine及Ketotifen除了有抗組織胺的功用外，更可抑制身體中的肥大細胞釋放組織胺，可以說是有雙重作用。但是要知道，無論口服藥物還是眼藥水，都只是舒緩敏感反應，並不是治療性質，最重要還是要避開致敏原。
If patient only suffers from allergic conjunctivitis, anti-histamine eye drops can be considered, such as Ketotifen, Emedastin and Olopatadine. They can relieve the allergic symptoms of eyes. Ketotifen and Olopatadine can also inhibit the release of histamine from the mast cells in body. However, it should be noted that anti-histamine eye drops or oral tablets can only relieve the symptoms instead of curing the conditions. Therefore, it is more important to avoid allergens!
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team
