Allergies in the eyes: The symptoms and how you can relieve them
The symptoms of eye allergies can cause considerable discomfort and suffering making it important to prevent and relieve them.
Although we all love spring, a season with messages of renewal and optimism, it can be associated with discomfort and annoying symptoms for people who suffer from allergies.
And eye allergies are one of the most common and annoying!
Allergies in the eyes: The most common symptoms
Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye complaints in spring. Like all allergies, it is caused by the body’s overreaction to one or more allergens. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, intense itching, and swelling of the eyelids and can last from a few days to several weeks.
They are triggered by contact with an allergen, with the most prevalent at this time of year being pollen from plants such as grasses, flowers, weeds and trees. Their pollen circulates in the air or is deposited on surfaces and is unconsciously transferred by hand to the face and eyes.
Symptoms may appear immediately after contact with the allergen, within a few hours or days, and in some cases may coexist with symptoms of hay fever or asthma.
Prevent and relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergy
If you know what is causing your allergy, try as much as possible to avoid it. And because this time of year the… usual culprit is pollen, limit as much as possible your movements outside your home or office on windy days, as well as “ventilating” the house. Also, avoid walks in the countryside and in areas with heavy vegetation to reduce your exposure to allergens.
What else can you do:
- Dust surfaces daily with a damp cloth to keep them free of dust and pollen that will make your symptoms worse.
- Avoid drying your clothes outside when it is windy which makes pollen circulate in greater concentration in the air.
- If you must go out, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and don’t touch your face with your hands to avoid transferring pollen that has “settled” on objects you may have touched, such as a car door handle.
- Finally, upon returning home, change your clothes and wash your face and hands. If your symptoms are severe, it will help to wash your hair as well.
If your symptoms still persist, applying warm chamomile compresses to your eyes can help. Also, ask your pharmacist for an over-the-counter allergy eye drops that will give you immediate relief. A knowledgeable pharmacist can also suggest some other allergy solutions, such as a special foam to wash your eyes or disposable wipes for when you are away from home. If your eye allergy symptoms are causing you severe discomfort, contact your ophthalmologist to assess the situation and if necessary recommend the appropriate treatment.