Rubbing Your Eyes Feels Good? The Worst Habit That Makes Allergic Conjunctivitis Worse [Weekend Health]

It is easy to assume that itchy, bloodshot eyes mean a simple eye infection, but the cause could be allergic conjunctivitis. The condition occurs when the eyes overreact to a range of substances, including pollen, house dust mites, animal dander, mold and fine dust. In particular, repeatedly rubbing the eyes because the itching is hard to bear can worsen inflammation and even damage the cornea, so caution is needed.
■ It can recur if you let your guard down... You need to break the habit of rubbing your eyes
According to the health and medical big data open system on the 30th, the number of allergic conjunctivitis patients who received National Health Insurance treatment rose from 1,825,108 in 2021 to 1,992,052 in 2023. It then fell to 1,889,380 in 2024 before rising again to 1,921,115 last year. In other words, allergic conjunctivitis is so common that roughly 1.8 million to 2 million people receive treatment every year. This statistic counts only the number of patients who received National Health Insurance treatment, so even if the same person visited multiple times, they are counted as one.
The most common symptom of allergic conjunctivitis is itchy eyes. Redness and a foreign-body sensation may also appear, and the eyelids can swell or sticky, mucus-like discharge can develop. It is more common in people with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis, and it is relatively frequent among children and young adults.
Jung In-kwon, a physician at Hangil Eye Hospital, said, "Allergic conjunctivitis occurs frequently in spring, but it is not a disease that appears only in a specific season." He added, "There are many allergens that people are exposed to year-round, such as house dust mites and pet dander, so many patients experience recurring symptoms throughout the year."
If treatment is stopped as soon as symptoms ease, allergic conjunctivitis can return. That is because allergic reactions are often influenced by constitutional factors. In particular, people whose symptoms recur every year in a certain season are highly likely to experience them again after exposure to allergens.
Jung explained, "If you stop taking medication immediately after symptoms improve, the allergic response can become active again." He added, "For patients whose symptoms keep coming back, it is better to control the inflammation steadily in consultation with a specialist rather than treating it only when symptoms become severe. That helps protect eye health over the long term."
According to Jung, some patients think it is just itchy eyes and leave the condition untreated for months, only to visit the hospital later with corneal erosion or keratitis.
In particular, allergic conjunctivitis and viral conjunctivitis are often difficult to distinguish based on early symptoms alone. Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes at the same time, while viral conjunctivitis often starts in one eye and spreads to the other. Viral conjunctivitis is also different in that it can be contagious. If your eyes become severely bloodshot and start producing discharge after visiting a crowded place or a swimming pool in summer, do not assume it is allergic conjunctivitis and get examined.
Jung advised, "If itching or redness lasts for several days or keeps recurring, it is best to see an ophthalmologist." He added, "If the redness is severe, or if you have photophobia, pain, vision loss, or severe pain in only one eye, another disease may be involved, so you must get medical care."
■ 'Dual-acting' eye drops that suppress itching and the allergic response
Treatment varies depending on symptoms and the degree of inflammation. The main medications used are antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers. Antihistamines reduce the itching caused by allergic reactions, while mast cell stabilizers suppress the allergic response itself. Recently, so-called dual-acting eye drops, which combine both effects, have also been widely used in early treatment.
When symptoms are severe, steroid eye drops may be used for a short period. However, long-term use can cause side effects such as increased intraocular pressure, so medical supervision is necessary. For patients who need eye drops over a long period, the choice of medication should take into account whether preservatives are included, how often the drops must be used, and how frequently symptoms recur.
Lifestyle management is also important. The basic approach to allergic conjunctivitis is to reduce exposure to allergens. After going outside, wash your hands and face thoroughly. During periods of heavy pollen, wearing sunglasses or protective goggles can help keep allergens from entering the eyes directly. Above all, do not rub your eyes. Rubbing may feel temporarily soothing because of the itching, but it can worsen inflammation and damage the surface of the cornea. It also increases the risk that bacteria or foreign substances on your hands will get into your eyes.
Jung said, "If you rub your eyes because they itch, the inflammation will only get worse and the cornea can also be damaged." He added, "Allergic conjunctivitis is common, but it should not be taken lightly." He continued, "If symptoms keep recurring, it is important not to stop medication on your own, but to work with an ophthalmology specialist to monitor your condition and develop a treatment plan that suits you."
[email protected] Jung Sang-hee Reporter