How to Get Relief from Eye Allergies
Does Spring season bring you itchy, red, eyes along with its beautiful landscape? Most likely you may be experiencing eye allergies.
What’s an Allergy?
An allergy is your body’s response to a foreign substance -- an allergen -- something that does not commonly affect other people. You may also experience sneezing and running nose concurrent with an eye allergy. Eye allergy can be caused by pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold and even cosmetics.
Types of Allergies
Seasonal Allergies - also known as hay fever. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen released during season of the year. Depending on where you live, your allergies could start in the late Winter to Fall. Tree pollen usually trigger allergies in the late winter and spring and ragweed triggers allergy symptoms in the Fall.
Year-Round Allergies - Year round allergies are usually caused by pet danders and dust mit
Symptoms of Eye Allergy may include:
Itchy eye
Clear, watery eye
Red Eye
Burning
Light sensitivity
9 Ways to Relieve Allergy Symptoms
Behavioral changes you can make to minimize symptoms include the following:
Stay indoors during high pollen count days. You can track the pollen count for your area by visiting www.pollen.com and put in your zip code or watch your local weather channel for an update of pollen count for your area.
Have all windows closed and use air conditioning to prevent allergens from entering your home
Remember to change your HVAC filter to prevent allergens from recirculating in your home
Use artificial tears to rinse out allergens from your eyes to minimize your symptoms
If you’re a contact lens wearer, switch to a daily disposable contact lens or wear your eyeglasses
Wear wrapped around sunglasses to prevent allergens from entering your eyes and reduce discomfort from the sunlight
Take a shower at night to remove any allergens from your body and eyes
Take an over the counter allergy eye drop to help with relief
If any of the above does not provide you with relief, you may need to visit your eye doctor and get a prescription for an allergy eye drop.