Allergies tend to run in families, although no obvious mode of inheritance is recognized.
The incidence of allergy is difficult to determine, because many different conditions often are lumped under the term allergy. Keep in mind that rubbing the eyes makes the situation worse. Prevention of allergic conjunctivitis is best accomplished by avoiding the allergen , if it is known. In many cases, however, this is impossible since the allergy causing agents are everywhere nearly all the time. For episodes unrelieved by the above, treatment by the health care provider may be necessary.