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PhrasesDescribing SymptomsMi prudono gli occhi e li ho rossi.
A2

Mi prudono gli occhi e li ho rossi.

My eyes are itchy and red.

Pronunciation

PRU-do-no — three syllables. 'Prudere' = to itch. 'Prudu' in some dialects. 'Occhi' — ok-ki.

When to use it

Describe eye allergy or conjunctivitis to a doctor or pharmacist. Important to distinguish cause for correct treatment.

What it means

'Mi prudono gli occhi' — reflexive construction with plural subject. 'Prudu-' root for itch. 'Rossi' = red. Causes: allergic conjunctivitis ('congiuntivite allergica'), viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, dry eye ('occhio secco'), computer eye strain. Ask about associated symptoms: nasal, seasonal onset, discharge type.

Variations

Ho la congiuntivite. Gli occhi fanno male e producono secrezione.

I have conjunctivitis. My eyes hurt and produce discharge.

Bacterial conjunctivitis has yellow/green discharge — usually needs antibiotic eye drops

Mi lacrimano gli occhi tutto il giorno.

My eyes are watering all day.

Watering eyes — can be allergy, blocked tear duct, or reflex response to dry eye

Mi bruciano gli occhi dopo molte ore al computer.

My eyes are burning after many hours at the computer.

Digital eye strain ('astenopia digitale') — very common, recommend breaks every 20 minutes

Mini Dialogue

— Mi prudono gli occhi e li ho rossi. È primavera e mi succede ogni anno. — Ha anche il naso tappato? — Sì, e starnuto spesso. — Chiaramente è una rinite allergica con congiuntivite. Sa a cosa è allergico? — Al polline delle graminacee. — Le do un antistaminico sistemico e delle gocce oculari antiallergiche.

— My eyes are itchy and red. It is spring and this happens every year. — Do you also have a blocked nose? — Yes, and I sneeze often. — Clearly it is allergic rhinitis with conjunctivitis. Do you know what you are allergic to? — Grass pollen. — I will give you a systemic antihistamine and antiallergic eye drops.

Cultural Note

Seasonal allergies ('allergie stagionali') are widespread in Italy — grass pollen ('graminacee') peaks May-June, olive pollen ('olivo') in May-June in southern regions, and plane tree ('platano') in March-April in cities. Italian meteorological services publish daily pollen counts ('bollettini pollinici'). The Italian Allergology Society ('SIAAIC') runs allergy testing and immunotherapy ('desensibilizzazione') programmes.