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Eye Allergy Center - Vancouver, WA

Vancouver Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors for Eye Allergy

Type of Physician: Asthma & Allergy Specialist

What is a Asthma & Allergy Specialist?

A certification by the Board of Allergy & Immunology; practitioners are expert in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of immune disorders.

Specialty: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Common Name: Allergy Doctor

Asthma & Allergy Specialist Doctors in Vancouver *

Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center
George S Allen
8614 E Mill Plain Blvd
STE 300
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 896-2222

Respiratory Physicians Southwest Washington
J Waylon Black
3920 Capital Mall Dr
STE 304
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 754-1739

Vancouver, Washington

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Eye Allergy

Eye allergy introduction

The eyes are the windows to the soul because they reflect our state of mind. This certainly can't be true if our eyes are red, swollen, watery, and itchy from an allergic reaction. Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a common reason for visits to the allergist, ophthalmologist, and even the emergency room. Occasionally, severe eye allergies cause serious damage that can threaten eyesight.

Eye allergies usually are associated with other allergic conditions, particularly hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and atopic eczema (dermatitis). The causes of eye allergies are similar to those of allergic asthma and hay fever. Medications and cosmetics can play a significant role in causing eye allergies. Reactions to eye irritants and other eye conditions (for example, infections such as pinkeye) are often confused with eye allergy.

What is the basic anatomy of the outer eye?

Eye allergies mainly involve the conjunctiva, which is the tissue lining (mucus membrane) that covers the white surface of the eyeball and the inner folds of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is a barrier structure that is exposed to the environment and the many different allergens (substances that stimulate an allergic response) that become airborne. It is rich in blood vessels and contains more mast cells (histamine-releasing cells) than the lungs.

The lacrimal (tear) glands are located in the upper and outer portions of the eye. They are responsible for producing the watery component of tears, which keeps the eye moist and washes away irritants. The tears also contain important components of the immune defense such as immunoglobulin (antibodies), lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells), and enzymes.

The cornea is the transparent sheath in front of the lens of the eye. The cornea has no blood vessels and very little immune activity.

Why are the eyes ...

Recommended Reading Related to Eye Allergy

Itching »

Itching (itch) facts

  • The medical term for itching is pruritus.
  • Infections, bites and stings, infestations, chronic diseases, sun exposure, and dry skin are among the numerous causes of itching.
  • Anti-itch creams and lotions containing camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine (Caladryl, Tronolane), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or benzocaine can bring relief.
  • Some cases of itching will respond to corticosteroid medications.
  • It is best to avoid scratching and itch when possible to avoid worsening of the condition and disruption of the skin that could lead to bacterial infection.
  • If itching persists with time or worsens, or is associated with skin lesions, consulting a health-care practitioner is advisable.

What is an itch?

Itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch. Itches are a common problem and can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or gen...

Emergency Contact for Vancouver

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Vancouver Hospitals *

Southwest Washington Medical Center Memorial Campus
3400 Main St
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360)256-2000

Southwest Washington Medical Center Mother Joseph Campus
400 NE Mother Joseph Pl
Vancouver, WA 98664
(360)256-2000

Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital
2801 N Gantenbein Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503)413-2200

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
2801 N Gantenbein Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503)413-2200

Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center
2211 NE 139th St
Vancouver, WA 98686
(360)487-1000

Oregon State Hospital Portland
1121 NE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR 97232
(503)731-8620

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
1015 NW 22nd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503)413-7711

Providence Portland Medical Center
4805 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97213
(503)215-1111

Shriners Hospital for Children
3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)241-5090

Oregon Health & Science University Hospital
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)494-8311

Doernbecher Childrens Hospital at OHSU
700 SW Campus Dr
Portland, OR 97239
(503)494-8811

Portland VA Medical Center
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd
Portland, OR 97239
(503)220-8262

Providence St Vincent Medical Center
9205 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 97225
(503)216-1234

Adventist Medical Center
10123 SE Market St
Portland, OR 97216
(503)257-2500

Providence Milwaukie Hospital
10150 SE 32nd Ave
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503)513-8300

Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center
10180 SE Sunnyside Rd
Clackamas, OR 97015
(503)652-2880

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center
24800 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
(503)674-1122

Tuality Community Hospital
335 SE 8th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503)681-1111

Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center
19300 SW 65th Ave
Tualatin, OR 97062
(503)692-1212

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center
1500 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503)656-1631

Tuality Forest Grove Hospital
1809 Maple St
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503)357-2173

Providence Newberg Hospital
1001 Providence Dr
Newberg, OR 97132
(503)537-1555

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