RESIDENTS are reminded to be cautious about allergies when going to the parks to appreciate various kinds of flowers.

According to Thursday’s Shenzhen Evening News, the city’s hospitals have seen a growing number of patients seeking treatment at the ophthalmology and dermatology departments recently. Most of these patients have had allergic conjunctivitis.

A woman, identified as Li, recently experienced red and watery eyes with blurred vision after admiring flowers in Lianhua Hill Park. She was confirmed to have allergic conjunctivitis after seeing a doctor.

The doctor said that it was an allergic reaction to pollen.

Dou Xiaoyan, director with the ophthalmology department at the Shenzhen No. 2 People’s Hospital, was quoted by the News as saying that nearly half of the patients received at the hospital recently had conjunctivitis, 10 to 15 percent of whom were suffering from the allergy-related kind.

Allergic conjunctivitis is eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to substances like pollen. Without efficient external protections, people are easily affected, especially in spring.

“There’s no big problem with allergic conjunctivitis,” said Dou, “Those who have allergies should avoid exposure to any trigger. In places with many pollens and willow catkins, people can wear masks for protection.”

Apart from the eyes, the skin is also vulnerable to allergens. Once allergies manifest, people are advised to see a doctor for treatment. (Wang Jingli)