How to Treat Eye Allergies

Common Triggers for Eye Allergies Allergies

Like most allergies, Eye allergies occur when your body overreacts to something.  When you come in contact with an allergen, your immune system will release a chemical called histamine. This will cause your blood vessels to swell and your eyes to become red, itchy, and watery. There are two types of allergies: seasonal and perennial.

Seasonal allergies are more common than perennial allergies. These allergies typically only occur at certain times of the year. Triggers are the allergens in the air such as pollen from ragweed or grass from the outdoors. Perennial allergies happen year-round. The major causes come from dust mites, pets, dust, or indoor mold.

Allergy Symptoms

Some signs  of allergic conjunctivitis  include symptoms like:

• A strong burning sensation

• Itchy eyes

•  Red eyes

• Puffy eyelids

• Tearing

Other allergy symptoms can include runny nose, sore throat, or coughing. To determine whether you have allergic conjunctivitis, an eye doctor can take a full history and examine your eyes. You may need to see your primary physician for allergy testing to help find out what you're allergic to.

Avoiding Common Eye Allergy Triggers

One of the best things you can do is to try to avoid the trigger entirely. It can be easier to avoid contact with things that trigger allergies, like pet dander from animals. Pollen, however, is much more difficult to avoid as it is in the outside air. To reduce your exposure to high pollen levels, it is best to stay indoors as much as possible, keep windows closed, and use air conditioning in spring and summer. 

The same goes for mold spore allergies, allergens that activate on rainy days. It is recommended to not go out on rainy days as spores are likely to trigger allergies in the outside air.   

Avoiding indoor allergens can be difficult. Staying clear of dust mites may mean replacing dust-collecting drapes or getting furniture made of leather or vinyl instead of cloth material. You could also try steam cleaning carpets and making sure bedding and clothing are washed in hot water regularly.

Eye Allergy Treatments

Over-the-counter treatment can give short-term relief to some eye allergy symptoms. While prescription treatment can provide both short and long-term help. Some quick relief treatments we recommend include:

• Washing your face after contact with an allergen

• Wash your clothes and bedding frequently

• Keep your contact lenses and lens case clean

• Shower  before bedtime

• Use a cool compress to soothe your eyes

• Use artificial tears to lubricate the eye surface and clear out  allergens

• Avoiding irritants such as cigarette smoke

• Using over-the-counter treatments, such as antihistamine or decongestant eye drops, or even oral antihistamines. Keep in mind that while oral antihistamines can be great for immediate relief, they can ultimately dry out your eyes. 

For more intense allergic reactions, your eye doctor may recommend a prescription. These commonly include:  

• Steroid eye drops to reduce swelling in the eye

• Mast-cell stabilizing eye drops can keep symptoms at bay by preventing the eyes from releasing histamines in the first place. These are usually only available with a prescription and include drugs called Alomide® (lodoxamide), Alocril® (nedocromil sodium), Alamast® (pemirolast potassium), and Crolom® (cromolyn). These work best when taken weeks before the start of seasonal allergies. Some newprescription drugs combine antihistamines with mast cell stabilizing drops. These include Elestat® (epinastine), Zaditor® (ketotifen), or Patanol® (olopatadine hydrochloride). These drops stabilize symptoms against itching, redness, burning, and tearing symptoms.

Common Eye Allergy Conditions

For some individuals, allergies can produce mild to no symptoms. For others, reactions may be more severe. Here are a few conditions you shouldn’t ignore: 

• Allergic Rhinitis – also known as hay fever – is an allergic reaction that affects the nose, causing symptoms like sneezing, congestion, an itchy nose, and a sore throat.

• Dry Eye is a common condition that occurs when tears can’t provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This tear instability will lead to inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface. 

• Pink Eye (seasonal allergies conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid. Pink eye is typically caused by bacteria, allergic reaction, or – in babies – an opened tear duct. 

If you notice any of these symptoms occurring, contact an eye care professional at EyeCare Associates.