Symptoms of Eye Allergies

• Itchy eyes (sometimes feels like burning or stinging)
• More tears than normal (watery eyes)
• Red or pink eyes
• Mild swelling of the eyelids
• No pus or mucus
• No pain or fever

Triggers of Eye Allergies

• A reaction of the eyes to allergic substance. The medical name for this is allergic conjunctivitis. The allergic substance is called an allergen. Most allergens float in the air. That's how they get in the eyes. Here are the common ones:
• Pollens. Trees, grass, weeds and molds are the most common pollens. Tree pollens come in the spring. Grass pollens come in the summer. Weed pollens come in the fall. Pollens cause seasonal allergies. You can't avoid pollens, since they are in the air. Most eye allergies happen through the pollen season. They can last 4 to 8 weeks. Pollens cause seasonal eye allergies.
• Pets. Allergens can also be from cats, dogs, horses, rabbits and other animals. Pet allergens are in the air. They can also get in the eyes from the hands. Most people don't keep a pet if they are allergic to it. They only have allergy symptoms when they are exposed to a pet. These symptoms usually last a few hours. If you own the pet, you will have symptoms all the time.
• House Dust contains many allergens. It always contains dust mites. If the humidity is high, it will contain mold. House dust causes year round, daily symptoms. 

When to Call for Eye Allergy

Care Advice

What You Should Know about Eye Allergies:

• An eye allergy most often is caused by pollen that gets in the eye.
• The eyes can itch, burn or sting.
• All of these symptoms can go away with allergy eye drops.
• Eye allergies are common.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Wash Allergens Off the Face:

• Use a wet washcloth to clean off the eyelids and face.
• Rinse the eyes with a small amount of warm water. Tears will do the rest.
• Then put a cold wet washcloth on the itchy eye.
• Prevention: wash your hair every night because it collects lots of pollen.

Oral Allergy Medicines:

• If your nose is also itchy and runny, you probably have hay fever. Hay fever is allergic symptoms of both the nose and eyes.
• Take an allergy medicine by mouth. This should get rid of the nose and the eye symptoms. Sometimes eye drops will not be needed.
• Long-acting allergy medicines (such as Zyrtec) are best. No prescription is needed.
• This kind of medicine has advantages over Benadryl. It causes less sleepiness (sedation) and lasts up to 24 hours.
• Take allergy meds every day. Do this until pollen season is over (about 2 months for each pollen).

Antihistamine Eye Drops for Pollen Allergies:

• Most of the time, an oral allergy med for nose allergies will also help with eye allergy symptoms.
• If the eyes stay itchy, buy some antihistamine eye drops. Ask your pharmacist to suggest a brand (such as Pataday). No prescription is needed. Follow the dosage advice on the package. Do not use more than what is recommended.
• For severe eye allergies, using antihistamine eye drops every day will help the most. Use these eye drops until pollen season is over.

Eye Drops: How to Use

• Gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: so the medicine will get into the tissues.
• Another option is to lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye with the eyes closed or open. When you open the eye or blink, the eye drop will flow in. The drop will slowly seep into the eye even if it is closed.

Contact Lenses:

• If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for a while.
• This will help the eye heal faster.

What to Expect:

• If you know the cause of the allergy symptoms, try to avoid it. This is the case with animal allergies. The symptoms will not come back if there is no contact.
• But, you can't avoid pollens because they are in the air. Most eye allergies continue through the pollen season. They can last 4 to 8 weeks.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Itchy eyes aren't better in 2 days with allergy treatment
• You think you needs to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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