Can Allergies Make Your Eyes Hurt

A Longer List Of Symptoms For Eye Infections

Red, itchy watery eyes and a burning sensation are common symptoms of eye allergies and infections. However, the latter has a longer list of symptoms, which include pain, a gritty feeling in the eyes, sensitivity to light, a thick discharge and a mucus-like discharge . In general, if you experience pain in your eyes or theres anything other than tears thats being discharged for them, theres a strong chance your eyes might be infected. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Viral eye infections usually clear up on their own, although cold compresses and lubricating eye drops can help you manage symptoms. However, for bacterial eye infections, youll need to get a prescription.

Seasonal Conjunctivitis Due To Pollens And Moulds

Seasonal conjunctivitis occurs at the same time each year. Most cases are due to pollen and occur in the hay fever season. Symptoms tend to last a few weeks each year and may vary with the pollen count. This is a measure of the amount of pollen in the air each day. The pollen count is often published in the press and in online weather forecasts.

Different people are sensitive to different groups of pollens. Grass pollens tend to cause symptoms in early summer, usually from April through to July in the UK. Tree pollens may cause symptoms as early as February or March or as late as September, depending on when the tree species involved shed their pollen. Various other pollens and moulds cause symptoms later in the summer.

If you have seasonal conjunctivitis you may also have other symptoms of hay fever, such as a runny nose and sore throat.

How Are Your Ears Affected

Our ears are made up of three parts the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Allergic reactions can cause the outer ear to itch or swell. The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube, which acts as a drainage tube of sorts. When mucus clogs the middle ear it affects that drainage. Pressure builds, which can lead to discomfort, popping in the ears or an earache. Your middle ear may itch as well. The inner ear is filled with fluid, and if this fluid becomes infected, you may suffer dizziness, ringing in the ear or loss of balance.

Sometimes a stuffy nose and sinus pressure can radiate to the ears, causing pressure or earaches.

Some people experience a short-term hearing loss due to an allergic reaction. This is known as conductive hearing loss and usually is temporary and resolves itself when the allergies subside.

Young children commonly experience middle ear infections, which may be triggered by allergies. These infections are known as otitis media. If these occur often, a professional may recommend allergy tests.

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Where Does It Hurt

Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as:

• Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light
• Sclera: The whites of your eyes
• Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin covering of your sclera and the inside of your eyelid
• Iris: The colored part of your eye, with the pupil in the middle
• Orbit: A bony cave in your skull where the eye and its muscles are located.
• Extraocular muscles: They rotate your eye.
• Nerves: They carry visual information from your eyes to your brain.
• Eyelids: Outside coverings that protect and spread moisture over your eyes.

Itching And Itchy Eyes

Almost all eye itching is caused by some sort of allergy. Very often, mild itching can be helped with over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. I’d avoid the ones that take away redness , as they can be addictive. You can also use cold compresses or ice packs to help with itchy eyes.

More severe itching may need extra help, such as oral antihistamines or prescription eye drops. Although itchy eyes are not an emergency, you still may need to consult your eye doctor for advice or a prescription.

If your eyelids are red and inflamed, you could have blepharitis. Make sure you visit your eye doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Quick Tip: Try to avoid rubbing your eyes! Rubbing releases chemicals called histamines that actually make the itching worse.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Allergic Conjunctivitis

• Both eyes are usually affected and symptoms tend to develop quickly.
• The eyes are usually itchy and gritty.
• The skin on the inside of the eyelids looks red and sore.
• The whites of the eyes look red or pink.
• A burning feeling may occur, although the eyes are not usually painful.
• The eyelids tend to swell.
• The eyes water more than usual however, they do not become too gluey or sticky.
• Vision is not affected.
• In severe cases the conjunctiva under the upper eyelids may swell and look lumpy.

What Are The Differences Between Eye Allergies And Pink Eye

The eyeball is covered by a thin membrane called the conjunctiva. When the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed, conjunctivitis can occur.

Conjunctivitis is more commonly known as pink eye. It causes the eyes to become watery, itchy, and red or pink.

Although pink eye and eye allergies cause similar symptoms, theyre two distinct conditions.

Eye allergies are caused by an adverse immune reaction. Pink eye, however, is the result of eye allergies as well as other causes.

These include:

• smoke
• dust

Normally, the immune system promotes chemical changes in the body that help fight off harmful invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.

However, in people with allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies an allergen, which may be otherwise harmless, as a dangerous intruder and begins to fight against it.

Histamine is released when the eyes come into contact with an allergen. This substance causes many uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes. It can also cause a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

An eye allergy may happen at any time of year. However, its especially common during the spring, summer, and fall months when trees, grasses, and plants are in bloom.

Such reactions can also occur when a sensitive person comes into contact with an allergen and rubs their eyes. Food allergies may also cause eye allergy symptoms.

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What Causes Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergy means that the immune system overreacts to something to which it has become sensitive. Symptoms of increased immune activity in the eyes include redness, wateriness and itching. These are part of the body’s defence mechanism to things it sees as foreign and harmful. Causes include the following:

How Can I Relieve My Eye Allergies

It has been estimated that about 40 percent of the population in the United States have ocular allergy symptoms. Eye allergies frequently occur in conjunction with nasal allergies . Many patients who seek their doctors help regarding their allergies are treated for both nasal and eye symptoms.

Eye allergies can be treated with one of several different medications, or a combination of medications, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and overall health. These medications include:

Antihistamines

Antihistamines in the form of eye drops can provide fast relief of symptoms. They are applied to the eyes twice or three times a day. Some people prefer taking antihistamines by mouth. These are usually taken once a day. Antihistamines block the effects of histamines that are produced by the body when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance.

Antihistamines can reduce eye allergy symptoms as well as nasal symptoms, but they often cause drowsiness. It is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking an antihistamine.

Mast cell stabilizers

You will have to take this medicine for a period of time before any beneficial effect becomes apparent. However, the effects last much longer than those of antihistamines, which provide temporary relief of symptoms. Often an antihistamine is taken at the same time as the mast cell stabilizer until the mast cell stabilizers start to work. These agents are often prescribed as eye drops.

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White Blood Cell Test

This is not a straight-forward blood test, and doctors dont usually prescribe this test for a normal allergic reaction . Your symptoms have to be more severe for this test to make sense.

Doctors will turn to this exam if your eyes are extremely irritated or red or if theyre swollen. The procedure entails extracting and examining certain eye tissues, especially in the eyes conjunctiva.

Results will show your white-blood cell count, a clue that your immune system is working overtime to repel an allergen.

How Are Eye Allergies Treated

Eye allergy treatment will depend on the cause and severity of symptoms. Individuals may find relief by controlling environmental factors. For example:

Keep doors and windows closed Wash sheets and bedding often and in hot water Keep pets out of bedrooms Eliminate water leaks in your home Use a dehumidifier

In addition, home remedies such as applying a cold compress to the eyes, eye drops, antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids may help you find relief. If your eye allergy symptoms are severe, your allergist may recommend allergy shots.

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What Are The Symptoms

They include redness in the white of your eye or inner eyelid. Other warning signs: itching, tearing, blurred vision, a burning sensation, swollen eyelids, and sensitivity to light. Eye allergies can happen alone or with nasal allergies and an allergic skin condition called eczema. The only way to know for sure if its an allergy is to see your doctor.

Can Allergies Cause Vision Blurry

Quick answer is Yes. In persons with eye allergic reactions, the body immune system overreacts to an irritant and produces immunoglobulin E antibodies that cause mast cells to launch histamine and other chemicals, which results in an allergic reaction. The reaction often manifests as:

• Redness
• Tearing, or watery eyes
• Pain, burning, or pain in one or both eyes

Although eye allergies are extremely unpleasant and troublesome, your vision is typically unaffected. Some people might have temporary blurred vision. Symptoms generally last for a number of hours after you are no longer in contact with the allergen.

You must be aware that symptoms of eye allergic reactions can look like those of lots of eye infections. In people with eye allergies, both eyes are normally affected, whereas an eye infection may affect just one eye. If youve never had eye allergies however all of a sudden have itchy, red, and swollen eyes, it is best to contact your doctor.

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How To Prevent Joint Pain During Allergy Season

There are many possible treatment options for allergies, which can keep joint and back pain at bay.

For airborne allergens, you might find relief through humidifiers, air purifiers, filters and conditioners. In addition, many people find that over-the-counter medications, prescription medications or a combination of both also offer relief.

Antihistamines are medications that help counterbalance the effects of histamine, the common substance in allergens that leads to allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy through allergy shots and anti-inflammatory nasal steroid sprays are another treatment option. These sprays work by reducing swelling and inflammation, which cuts down on mucus production. Nasal steroids work especially well when combined with antihistamines.

If joint pain occurs during allergy season, you can experiment with a variety of treatment options to find what works best for your joint pain. Over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Advil can work for mild pain. For acute pain, hot or cold packs might provide relief. Your doctor might recommend steroid shots, where medication directly into the joint to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Some individuals also find that physical therapy can help to strengthen muscles around the joint, which in turns strengthens the joint and improves range of motion.

Would Spring Allergies Make Your Eyes Hurt

Some people have an overreaction to seasonal allergens, and the symptoms can affect them with varying degrees of severity. In the spring, allergens in the air such as pollen or grass can cause annoying symptoms that require treatment. The body’s reaction to these allergens is also called hay fever, and some of the symptoms are similar to those of the flu.

Spring allergies in April and May are mostly caused by high pollen counts in the air from trees, grass and weeds. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and itching. Antihistamines and decongestants are prescribed to relieve the symptoms, but some may cause side effects or cause dependency. Various nasal sprays help reduce the histamine reaction to allergens as well. Some of these are available without a doctor’s prescription, but you should consult your doctor if you have other medical conditions or if the symptoms are severe.

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Itchy Red Or Watery Eyes

Being allergic to dust and dust mites can also cause you to have itchy, red or watery eyes.

This is another natural defense your body conducts when it reacts to something sensitive in the environment.

When dust particles come into contact with mast cells on the eyes, the response is to release histamine and other chemicals that cause blood vessels to leak, which makes your eyes red, watery and itchy.

Unfortunately, these dust allergies symptoms are shared with other eye diseases and cold viruses.

Trying to diagnose an allergy to dust off of this one sign alone is not feasible.

However, if youre noticing it alongside symptoms #1 and #2, it just may likely be caused by an allergic reaction to dust .

Spring Allergies Hurting Your Eyes What You Need To Know

Spring is finally here, but with warmer weather, flowers, and budding trees, come those dreaded seasonal allergies.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 50 million people in the United States have seasonal allergies, and its prevalence is increasingaffecting up to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children. In addition to having symptoms of sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, most of allergy sufferers also experience itchy, watery, red eyesas well as swollen eyelids. Some may also experience blurred vision as well or feel as if they have something floating in their eye. So what can you do to both prevent and treat your symptoms? Here are a few ideas to help soothe your eye irritations this allergy season.

The first step to relieve your symptoms is an evaluation with your eye doctor to determine whether it is indeed allergy related. Its vital to rule out other eye-related problems such as an infection , inflammation, or dry eye syndrome, which all require entirely different treatment options.

This is easier said than done , but there are things you can do to help keep those allergies at bay:

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Seasonal Allergies Can Damage Your Eyes

You may be familiar with the different types of eye allergies. One common type is perennial allergic conjunctivitis , which causes allergies year-round. Though the symptoms of PAC may be milder at times, they can lead to infections if you rub your eyes too much.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is another eye allergy that occurs year-round and gets worse seasonally. Unlike PAC, the symptoms can be severe and impair your vision.

These eye allergies can get worse during the winter, as your exposure to indoor allergens increases.

How Blurred Vision Is A Result Of Sinus Complications

You must be surprised to know but it is true that many people who have been suffering from chronic sinusitis had to experience blurred vision which is the most critical sinus complication. The constant effect of sinusitis can encourage sight issues in which blurred vision, seeing floaters or double vision are few of them. The vision issues can be an outcome of sinus inflammation or pressure on the backside of eyeballs. An infection to eye socket can create great amount of discomfort that can be managed only with intense medical care. A delay in medical attention can cause blindness or eye damage for permanent.

Sinus Congestion May Affect Vision

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Why Are My Eyes Itchy Answers From An Expert

For many people, the warmth and beauty of spring are accompanied by irritated, burning and, sometimes, swollen eyes and eyelids. These symptoms, often attributed to allergy season, can be caused by other factors in the environment.

If you are one of the many who suffer from itchy eyes, understanding the cause is the key to treatment and relief.

Ophthalmologist Irene Kuo, M.D., of the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains the cause and the methods to keep in mind to help relieve your itchy eyes.

Eye allergies, whether seasonal or year-round, are often the cause of itchy eyes. These allergies can be triggered by pollen or pet dander. Irritants like dust and smoke, or products such as lotions, makeup or contact lens solutions can also cause symptoms similar to those of eye allergies. An allergist can conduct an allergy test to determine the specific allergens that are causing you discomfort.

How Can I Spot Symptoms Of Eye Allergies

In persons with eye allergies, the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces immunoglobulin E antibodies that cause mast cells to release histamine and other chemicals, which results in an allergic reaction. The reaction often manifests as:

• Tearing, or watery eyes
• Pain, burning, or soreness in one or both eyes

Although eye allergies are very uncomfortable and troublesome, your vision is usually unaffected. Some people may have temporary blurred vision. Symptoms typically last for several hours after you are no longer in contact with the allergen.

You should be aware that symptoms of eye allergies can resemble those of many eye infections. In people with eye allergies, both eyes are usually affected, whereas an eye infection may affect only one eye. If youve never had eye allergies but suddenly have itchy, red, and swollen eyes, it is best to contact your doctor.

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