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Eye Allergies

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Did your allergies make your eyes swollen and puffy? You’re not alone—millions of people, often referred to as allergic conjunctivitis, struggle with the disease. Before going out in public, a cold compress will give you a fast fix. Yet you need to consider the causes and manage the symptoms for long-term relief. There’s nothing more frustrating than the feeling that your eye has something in it. But it may be allergies if your eyes are swollen and irritated, and you don’t see something in them. Symptoms may arise separately, but they typically follow nasal allergy-related sneezing, sniffling or stuffy nose.
Eye allergies are mostly inherited and arise because of mechanisms similar to other forms of allergic reactions. They are often called, very commonly, allergic conjunctivitis. They happen when something that irritates them responds to the eyes (called an allergen). In order to prevent allergens, the eyes create a substance called histamine. The eyelids and conjunctiva become red, swollen and itchy as a result. It will tear and burn your eyes. Eye allergies do not spread from person to person, unlike other kinds of conjunctivitis.
When an allergic reaction takes place, your eyes may be overreacting to a substance perceived as harmful, even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive production of tears and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals.
Allergies can trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and asthma. Combined nasal and eye allergies create a condition known as rhinoconjunctivitis.

Common signs of allergies include:

  • Red, swollen or itchy eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Itchy nose, mouth or throat
  • Headache from sinus congestion

Beyond more obvious symptoms, you also may feel fatigued and could suffer from lack of sleep.

Many allergens are in the air that can irritate you when come in contact with your eyes and nose. Airborne allergens include pollen, mold, dust and pet dander.
Other causes of allergies, such as certain foods or bee stings, do not typically affect the eyes the way airborne allergens do. Adverse reactions to certain cosmetics or drugs such as antibiotic eye drops also may cause eye allergies. Some people actually are allergic to the preservatives in eye drops such as those used to lubricate dry eyes. In this case, you may need to use a preservative-free brand

Treatment

Avoidance

The most common “treatment” is to avoid what’s causing your eye allergy. Itchy eyes? Keep your home free of pet dander and dust and keep pets off the furniture. Stay inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air. Air conditioners filter out allergens, though you must clean the filters from time to time.

Exposure to the Outdoors

  • Stay if possible, indoors when pollen counts are at their highest, usually in the mid-morning and early evening, and when pollen flies around in the wind.
  • Do not use window fans that bring pollen and mold into the building.
  • When outside, wear glasses or sunglasses to minimize the amount of pollen going into your eyes.
  • Try not to rub your eyes, which will make them irritated and can make your condition worse.

Exposure Indoors

  • Keep the windows closed, and in your car and house, use air conditioning. Units for air conditioning should be kept clean.
  • Reduce exposure, especially in the bedroom, to dust mites. For pillows, comforters and duvets, and mattresses and box springs, use “mite-proof” covers.
  • Using hot water to wash your bedding regularly (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Keep the humidity in your home low (between 30 and 50 percent) to reduce mold exposure and regularly clean your toilets, kitchen and basement.
  • Use a dehumidifier, especially in the basement and in other humid, damp areas, and sometimes empty and clean it. Clean it with detergent and a 5 percent bleach solution if the mold is visible.
  • Rather than dry-dusting or sweeping, scrub floors with a damp rag or mop.

Pet Exposure

  • After petting some animals, wash your hands right away. Upon visiting friends with dogs, wash your clothes.
  • Keep it out of your home as much as possible if you are allergic to a household pet. Keep it out of the bedroom if the pet needs to be inside, so you are not exposed to animal allergens when you sleep.
  • If you have forced air or central heating or cooling, close the air ducts in your space. Replace hardwood, tile or linoleum with carpeting, both of which are easier to keep dander-free.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your eye allergies, or you’re not having any luck avoiding them, your next step probably will be medication to alleviate the symptoms. You have the option to have over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Eye drops are available as simple eye washes, or they may have one or more active ingredients such as antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers that inhibit inflammation. Antihistamines relieve many symptoms caused by airborne allergens, such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants help shrink swollen nasal passages for easier breathing.

Many allergens are airborne that cause eye allergies, so you can’t always stop them. To decide which therapy choices are correct for you, address your symptoms with your allergist. For short-term relief of certain symptoms, non prescription eye drops, and oral drugs are widely used. They may not alleviate all the symptoms, and the condition may worsen with repeated use of some OTC eye drops.

For the prevention of eye allergies, prescription eye drops, and oral medicines are also used. Both short- and long-term targeted relief of eye allergy symptoms is offered by prescription drops. For expert treatment and relief, see an allergist. Both OTC and prescription eye drops, and medications can be used to treat children. At any age, artificial tears are healthy and can be used. It is safe to use such eye drops, such as antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, in children 3 and older. Any treatment with your child’s doctor should be discussed.

Relief for Watery, Itchy Eyes

Common causes of excessively watery eyes are allergies and dry eye syndrome ― two very different problems.

With allergies, your body’s release of histamine causes your eyes to water, just as it may cause your nose to run. It may seem illogical that watery eyes would result from dry eye syndrome. But this is sometimes true, because the excessive dryness works to overstimulate production of the watery component of your eye’s tears.

Decongestants clear up redness. They contain vasoconstrictors, which simply make the blood vessels in your eyes smaller, lessening the apparent redness. They treat the symptom, not the cause. In fact, with extended use, the blood vessels can become dependent on the vasoconstrictor to stay small. When you discontinue the eye drops, the vessels actually get bigger than they were in the beginning. This process is called rebound hyperemia, and the result is that your red eyes worsen over time.

Some products have ingredients that act as mast cell stabilizers, which alleviate redness and swelling. Mast cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines. But while antihistamines are known for their immediate relief, mast cell stabilizers are known for their long-lasting relief.

Antihistamines, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers are available in pill form, but pills don’t work as quickly as eye drops or gels to bring eye relief.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops may be prescribed to decrease swelling, inflammation and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, also called hay fever.

Prescription corticosteroid eye drops also may provide similar, quick relief. However, steroids have been associated with side effects such as increased inner eye pressure (intraocular pressure) leading to glaucoma and damage to optic nerve. Steroids also have been known to cause the eye’s natural lens to become cloudy, producing cataracts.

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