Eight Musts for Coping with Eye Allergy Season

Allergies can occur from both indoor and outdoor allergens. Eye allergy symptoms can also occur at any time of the year. However, for many people, they often ramp up in the springtime. This is likely because of the increase in pollen from blooming trees and flowers.

If you suffer from eye allergies, you know it can make you miserable. Understanding how to prevent symptoms before they start is important to get through allergy season with as few issues as possible. 
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Continue reading for several strategies for coping with eye allergy season and decreasing symptoms.

Why do eye allergies develop? 

Eye allergies develop when a substance, called an allergen, irritates the eyes. This occurs when the immune system reacts to the substance as if it were harmful, triggering a release of histamine. 

Histamine causes a physiological reaction that leads to common allergy eye symptoms such as

• Redness
• Excess tearing 
• Inflammation 
• Itching 
• Burning 

Eye allergy symptoms often increase during the spring months because of the pollen counts. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, pollen from weeds, grass, and trees is a common trigger leading to eye allergy symptoms. 
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Ways to combat eye allergy symptoms

In most cases, symptoms of eye allergies do not cause damage to your eyes or vision. Still, eye allergies can make you miserable. Below are several tips to prevent and decrease symptoms this allergy season. 

Take an oral antihistamine daily before any exposure to pollen. Taking an oral antihistamine before exposure may prevent symptoms from occurring. Antihistamines block the release of histamine, so they stop symptoms before they start. However, before beginning any medication, it's important to clear it with your healthcare provider.

Check the pollen count daily. Since pollen is often one of the most common eye allergy culprits, it's helpful to know how high the pollen count is on any particular day. When the pollen count is high, limit outdoor exposure as much as possible

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Sunglasses will not block all pollen exposure. However, they may decrease the amount of pollen that gets into your eye. By decreasing exposure, you may possibly lessen symptoms.

Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes may spread pollen and intensify your symptoms. Instead, consider applying a cold compress to your eyes to decrease itchiness and swelling.

Wash your face as soon as you come in from outside. Pollen may get in your eyes, your eyebrows, and the skin around your eyes. Washing your face helps remove the pollen.

Use artificial tears after exposure to pollen. Artificial tears can help flush out allergens from your eyes. After exposure to pollen, consider using artificial tears as soon as possible.

Switch from contacts to eyeglasses. Allergens, such as pollen, can become trapped between your contacts and the surface of the eye. This may increase eye irritation and symptoms. Contacts can also increase eye dryness, which may promote irritation. If allergy symptoms persist, give your contacts a break. 
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Keep windows closed. Opening your doors and windows at the first sign of spring is natural. However, this may let pollen inside, which can trigger eye allergy symptoms. Keeping your windows and doors shut and using air conditioning instead can lower your exposure to pollen indoors. Window fans should also be avoided since they can draw pollen inside.

If eye allergies become significant enough to interfere with your quality of life, seeing an allergist can be helpful. An allergy specialist can help determine your specific triggers and develop a treatment plan that may include allergy shots.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.