How to Get Relief From Eye Allergies

 People who have allergies are often quick to seek help for symptoms such as sneezing, runny 

nose and stuffy nose. But allergies can also affect the eyes. They can make your eyes red and 

itchy, causing burning. They may also be watery and swollen. The good news is that the same 

treatments and self-help strategies that relieve nasal allergy symptoms work for eye allergies.

Eye allergy symptoms

Also called eye allergies or allergic conjunctivitis.  They pose little threat to vision except for 

temporary blurring. You may start having symptoms as soon as your eyes come into contact with 

the allergen or you may not have symptoms for 2 to 4 days.

Symptoms of an eye allergy include:

Red, irritated eyes

Itch

Watery or runny eyes

Swollen eyelids

Pain, burning, or soreness

Sensitivity to light

You will also usually have other allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing.

Causes of eye allergy

As with all allergies, eye allergies occur when your body overreacts to something. The immune 

system creates antibodies that cause your eyes to release histamine and other substances. This 

causes itchy and red, watery eyes. Some people also have nasal allergies.

Types of eye allergies

There are two types of eye allergies: seasonal, which is more common, and year-round.

Seasonal allergies occur at certain times of the year – usually early spring through summer and 

fall. The trigger is allergens in the air,  grass, tree, and weed pollen, as well as mold spores.

Year-round allergies occur all year round. The main causes include dust mites, feathers (in 

bedding) and animal dander (pets). Other substances can also play a role, including perfumes, 

smoke, chlorine, air pollution, cosmetics, and some medications. Sometimes it is easy to find out 

what is causing the allergy.? For example, if symptoms appear when you go outside on a windy 

day with high pollen counts, or when a pet climbs on your lap. If your trigger isn't clear, your 

doctor can run tests to find out.

Home Remedies for Eye Allergy

The first thing you need to do is avoid your triggers.

Stay indoors when pollen counts are highest, usually mid-morning and early evening. Close the 

windows and turn on the air conditioner. (Window fans can draw in pollen and mold spores.)

When you go outside, wear glasses or large sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes. drive? 

Keep the windows closed and run the air conditioner.

To reduce exposure to dust mites, use special pillowcases that keep allergens out. Wash bedding 

often in hot water. If your mattress is more than a few years old, consider getting a new one.

Clean the floors with a damp mop. Sweeping tends to stir up rather than get rid of allergens. 

Especially if you have a pet, consider replacing carpets and rugs that trap and hold allergens 

with hardwood, tile, or other easier-to-clean flooring materials. Choose blinds instead of curtains.

To prevent mold growth inside your home, keep the humidity below 50%. You may need to use a 

dehumidifier, especially in a damp basement. Clean the dehumidifier. And when tidying up the 

kitchen and bathroom, use a bleach solution. If your pet is a trigger, keep them out of your 

bedroom. Do not rub your eyes. This is likely to worsen the symptoms. Use cooling compresses 

instead.

Other types of eye drops

Some eye drops only work if you take them before symptoms appear. They take longer to work 

than antihistamine eye drops, but the effects last longer. Sometimes they are combined with 

antihistamines. These eye drops must a prescription:

Ketorolac (Acular or Acuvail) is another type of eye drop. Relieves itchy eyes, usually in about an 

hour. It may sting or burn at first. Steroid eye drops such as loteprednol (Alrex, Lotemax) treat 

severe, long-lasting eye allergies. They are usually only used short-term because they can cause 

serious side effects. If you still have symptoms, your doctor may recommend an allergy shot. 

With an allergy shot, your body is exposed to an increasing amount of allergen over time and gets 

used to it. Depending on the cause of your allergy, oral tablets or drops that work like an allergy 

shots can use instead.

Eye allergy medications

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide short-term relief from some eye 

allergy symptoms. Prescription medication can provide both short-term and long-term help.

Sterile saline rinses and eye lubricants can soothe irritated eyes and help flush out allergens.

Decongestant eye drops can reduce eye redness by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes. 

These drops tend to sting a bit and do not relieve all symptoms. What's more, their effect tends to 

be short-lived. If you use them for more than a few days, it can cause "reflected" redness of the 

eyes. Eye drops containing ketotifen can relieve allergy symptoms for up to 12 hours. It does not 

cause reflected redness even with long-term use. Cooling your eye drops can provide more relief.

Also to red, itchy eyes from allergies, many people also have other symptoms such as stuffy nose, 

runny nose. If you do, nasal steroid sprays can help your eyes and nose. Over-the-counter options 

include Flonase, Rhinocort, and Nasacort. Several others are also available by prescription.

Oral antihistamines can also help. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) tend to be less 

sedating than some older drugs and provide longer-lasting relief. But, keep in mind that oral 

antihistamines dry out the eyes and can make dry eyes worse.