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Conjunctivitis - allergic - Management
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Definition
- Contact dermatoconjunctivitis is characterized by conjunctivitis with allergic dermatitis of the eyelids and a complete lack of response to antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers. Typically it is caused by the use of eye drops.
How should I manage someone with contact dermatoconjunctivitis?
- Before treating a person with a red eye for contact dermatoconjunctivitis, you must exclude the serious causes of a red eye that can result in permanent visual impairment. For further information, see Diagnosing allergic conjunctivitis.
- Advise people to:
- Remove contact lenses, if they are worn, until symptoms and signs resolve.
- Avoid rubbing their eyes.
- Place cool compresses on the affected eyes to ease symptoms.
- Avoid exposure to the identified allergen. When caused by cosmetics, symptoms should be allowed to resolve completely before trying an alternative product.
- When contact dermatoconjunctivitis is due to eye drops, seek specialist advice as to an appropriate alternative, when continued treatment is necessary.
- When contact dermatoconjunctivitis is severe, refer for same-day assessment and further management by a specialist.
In depth
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