Tips for Eye Allergies
Updated January 01, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Eye allergies can be much more than a simple annoyance for some people. During allergy season, eye allergies can be debilitating and can make you feel miserable. Constant rubbing and scratching can make your eyes look and feel exhausted. The most common way to treat eye allergies is to avoid the substances, or antigens, that are causing your symptoms. How can you avoid them in the first place? Below are a few tips to reduce your chances of suffering from eye allergies.
Source:
Miller, Jason R. OD, MBA. Review of Optometry, Step Up Your Ocular Allergy Care, 16 April 2010.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Eye allergies can be much more than a simple annoyance for some people. During allergy season, eye allergies can be debilitating and can make you feel miserable. Constant rubbing and scratching can make your eyes look and feel exhausted. The most common way to treat eye allergies is to avoid the substances, or antigens, that are causing your symptoms. How can you avoid them in the first place? Below are a few tips to reduce your chances of suffering from eye allergies.
- Stay indoors. During allergy season, try to stay inside when the pollen count is very high. Close screen doors and windows and run the air conditioner to keep the allergens out.
- Wash off. Take a shower in the evening even if you take one in the morning. Allergens and pollen can stick to your hair as well as your body. Washing can rid your hair and body of potential allergens before you crawl into bed. Plus, it ensures that your bedding stays clean and free of antigens that cause allergies.
- Change your bedding. Launder your bed sheets and covers frequently to keep them free of potential allergens or bed bugs that may cause allergies.
- Stay moist. Instill artificial tears frequently. Most of us think that artificial tears are just for treating dry eyes. However, adding artificial tears dilutes your existing tears, reducing the concentration of allergens that may get into your eyes.
- Clean your lenses. Follow your eye doctor’s guidelines when cleaning, disinfecting and disposing of your contact lenses. Like anything else, antigens that cause allergies can stick to the surface of your contact lenses and constantly activate your allergies. In fact, most eye doctors recommend switching to a daily disposable contact lens that you throw away every day or to switch to wearing eyeglasses.
- Cover your eyes. On particularly windy days, wear your eyeglasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes and prevent dust and other allergens from entering your eyes.
- Wash your hands. Just as you would wash your hands to avoid catching a cold, wash them to prevent antigens from entering your eyes by your own touch. Scratching or rubbing your eyes with pollen on your hands can activate your allergies.
- Cool off. If your eye allergies start to act up, try cold compresses or chilled artificial tears first before rubbing the eyes. Rubbing your eyes vigorously may activate certain allergy cells that can worsen symptoms.
- Take your meds. Remember to take your prescription allergy medications. If your allergies flare up and cause significant eye irritation, see your eye doctor. Some allergy medications can be applied directly to the eye.
Source:
Miller, Jason R. OD, MBA. Review of Optometry, Step Up Your Ocular Allergy Care, 16 April 2010.
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