Is There Any Relation Between Itching Of Eyes And Sneeze?

Posted on Sun, 8 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 Dec 2013 Answered on

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, My sister is 21 years old. She has this itching of eyes from the very begining as well as she has kind of sinus which causes her to sneeze and has streaming nose. We consulted many doctors they said it is due to allergy. Are these two symptoms related? She uses some eye drops that gives her some relief from itching of eyes but how to completely subdue this? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Azelastine and fluticasone nasal spray Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. Excessive sneezing, watery nasal discharge and itching are the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Itching can be in nose alone or eyes also as also the throat. Allergic rhinitis is usually treated by the use of intra nasal steroid sprays and the initial acute symptoms may need oral anti histaminics in most of the cases along with sprays. Eye symptoms may or may not be controlled by intra nasal steroid sprays and anti allergic tablets control these. But oral anti allergic tablets have side effects like sedation and the long term use also leads to enzyme induction in liver and the effect decreases with time. Use of anti allergic nasal sprays controls eye symptoms in most of the cases and in patients with eye symptoms along with nasal allergy, a combination of azelastine and fluticasone in the form of intra nasal sprays is usually prescribed an this controls both the nasal and eye symptoms. Anti allergic eye drops are needed in few cases and should be used in consultation with an eye specialist. Regarding the allergen, it is difficult to find out and usually unhelpful even after finding out a combination of many allergens is there. Routine measure like avoiding dust, excessive vegetation, smoke and fumes does help. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (20 hours later)

Thank You sir. But Sir, they do not occur simulataneously. She has problem with nose of sneezing and streaming but the itching of eyes does not occur frequently. But when it occurs it is hard to stop her from itching. This itching sometimes hardly occurs in a month and sometimes more than two times in a month. Sorry I did not share this info earlier. Is it rhinitis?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: An anti allergic eye drop should help Detailed Answer: Thanks for query. Still a combination spray will be a better option. If you do not want to use a combination spray and symptoms occur infrequently, use of antiallergic eye drops in consultation with eye specialist is a good option. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (13 hours later)

For how long will She has to use the eye drops? Will it cure her permanently? If not sir then Is there any permanent cure for it?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer: As long as the symptoms as there Detailed Answer: Thanks for the query. Please keep one thing in mind that allergy can not be cured permanently by any treatment and can get permanently cured own its own by body immunity or may be by immunotherapy in very few cases. Immunotherapy usually helps if few cases with prolonged remission. It actually cures is doubtful. So, practically no cure for allergy permanently. Treatment of allergy is directed at symptomatic control during acute symptoms as well as maintenance of symptom free periods for extended durations so as to make the life of patient comfortable. She needs to use eye drops as long as she has symptoms Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (3 hours later)

This is sad that she has to. Thank you for your suggestions and answers sir. It helped a lot. Thank you again Just one more question sir... what can be done for sinus? Can it be cured by proper medication? .

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Sprays help in sinusitis also. Detailed Answer: It was pleasure answering your queries. Do not feel so sad as it is a very common problem and by taking proper treatment, the quality of life remains normal. The nasal sprays keep the symptoms of sinusitis also under control by keeping the sinus drainage pathways patent. Taking steam also helps. Still if the symptoms of sinusitis are very severe, a CT scan PNS in consultation with an ENT helps in localizing the problem and treatment accordingly. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar