How To Bring Down Eye Swelling From Allergy

What Can I Do To Address Eye Swelling

Eye puffiness or swelling is a common symptom of allergic conjunctivitis, along with itchy, red eyes, a burning sensation and a clear, watery discharge.

During an allergic reaction, white blood cells attach to protective mast cells in the mucus membranes of the eyes and nasal passages, and fluid builds up. Tiny blood vessels in and around the eyes leak, leading to inflammation and swelling in surrounding tissues and the watery discharge. Rubbing or scratching the eyes only makes it worse and could lead to infection.

Eye swelling often occurs at night. One reason this happens is exposure to allergens in the bedroom primarily dust mites and/or pet dander.

Face Swelling In The Morning

If you notice a swollen face right after you wake up from sleep in the morning, try one of these tricks:

• Cleanse your face with cold water. Coldwater is effective at reducing swelling.
• Place cold cucumber slices on the swollen parts of your face. Cucumbers contain antioxidants that soothe the swollen skin.
• Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Water helps flush out toxins and excess salts from your system. Use ice packs if you need to.

How To Avoid Swollen Eyelids

Eye problems come in a great number. A swollen eyelid is common among people of all ages. It is uncomfortable and itchy, which in turn affects your self-esteem, focus, and productivity. The good news is that there are effective treatments to weigh in mind.But knowing the cause and symptoms is a good start. While there are different pieces of information online, you have come to the right place! Read on for further details! Are you ready? Take a close look at the following!Symptoms of Swollen Eyelids Swollen eyelids are a common symptom of an infection, allergy, or serious problem. But wait, theres more! The scratchy or itchy sensation is a good example. Light sensitivity is another contributing factor. What else?

• Excess tear production, which leads to watering eyes
• Obstructed vision
• Conjunctiva inflammation and red eyes
• Eyelid flaking or dryness
• Pain

• Allergies

Allergies trigger swollen eyelids. Every day, we have a high exposure to pollen, pet dander, dust, and other allergens. Our immune system, however, overreacts to this foreign substance, leading to eyelid inflammation. Contact lens solutions or makeup can also be a headache.To protect you from allergens, the eyes release chemical mediators, including a histamine. How does it work? It simply causes blood vessels to dilate or swell. From there, mucous membranes start to itch. Then your eyes become watery and red.

• Conjunctivitis

• Styes

• Chalazion

• Eye Injuries

• Undergo a Test to Determine if You Have Allergies

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Treatment Depends On Severity And Cause Of Symptoms

Identifying and removing the cause of allergic conjunctivitis, where possible, is ideal when an allergic cause has been confirmed from allergy testing. For example:

• House dust mite minimisation measures in the bedroom .
• Removing the cat from the house in sensitive individuals.

It is also important to exclude the presence of a foreign body such as dust, wood chip or an insect/s.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are generally mild to moderate and respond to bathing eyes with cold water, ice packs and cold water compresses. Topical lubricants can also help flush allergens from the tear film. However, symptoms can sometimes be extremely severe and debilitating and require medication. Treatment options include:

What Can I Do To Prevent Swollen Eyes

The number one thing you can do to prevent further swollenness, is to not rub your eyes and to seek medical attention if your situation is severe. Your doctor can provide you with medicine that will reduce the swelling almost immediately or can determine if there are more serious problems causing the swelling.

If you suffer from allergies, try to take precautions while indoors, such as keeping air filters and air ducts clean, as well as vacuuming often to remove dust and dander. Outdoor precautions can include wearing face masks, especially if doing yard work or spending time outside during the spring and fall seasons.

Also, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you antihistamine and decongestant medication to minimize the effects of allergy season.

• J. Anshel, MD Smart Medicine for Your Eyes 163
• J. Weizer, MD J. Stein, MD, MS Readers Digest Guide to Eye Care 33
• J. Lavine, MD The Eye Care Sourcebook 29-30

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Dangers Of An Untreated Swollen Eye

A swollen eye in a cat that goes untreated may easily develop into a more serious problem. When there is swelling, there is a good chance that the eye is already infected, and medical attention should be sought. Failure to do so may result in permanent vision problems or even blindness in the afflicted eye. Some cats have even gotten quite ill after being exposed to a bacteria or virus while having an open wound.

For a cat, a swollen eye can be a painful and unpleasant ordeal. Even after a vet visit and a possible prescription, other treatment may sometimes be an option to help reduce your cat’s suffering and aid in the healing process.

Symptoms May Also Be Due To Contact Allergy

• Many cosmetics , will cause a contact allergy of the eyelids, which may occur in only one eye
• Other causes include antibiotics and the preservative thiomersal .
• Some plants will also cause contact allergy, including Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’, African violets and a number of bulbs. Since the Rhus tree has been declared a noxious weed the number of cases of this serious contact allergy has declined.
• Usually there is an initial improvement of the condition after prescribed eye drops are used and then a continuing deterioration, only improved by ceasing the eye drops.
• Bathing the eyes with cooled boiled water will give comfort as the condition improves.
• A doctor will usually use patch testing to confirm the diagnosis and inquire about whether any non-prescribed or herbal drops have been used.

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How To Tell If A Client Has Developed An Allergic Reaction

The client will often no longer be with you when they notice that their eyes are starting to feel uncomfortable.

If a client contacts you after their visit, with concerns about a reaction, there are a few questions that you can ask them to determine how serious the situation is and whether they truly have an allergy:

• Do you have any swelling or puffiness?
• If so, where is the swelling or puffiness?
• Is your eye-area itchy?
• Are your symptoms in one eye or both?
• Are you uncomfortable?
• Does your lash line feel irritated, itchy, or swollen?
• Is your eye itself irritated?

If the client answers yes to more than two of these questions and you are concerned about their symptoms, advise them to go to an emergency doctor or the hospital as soon as possible.

If their symptoms sound mild, likely, they are just experiencing some irritation. In this case, you can reassure them and recommend some helpful ways to ease their discomfort.

Cucumbers Get Rid Of Puffy Eyes And Swollen Eyelids

This great vegetable is a great remedy for swollen eyes. Cucumbers contain astringent properties and are not only cooling but soothing as well. They help in constricting blood vessels around the eyelids and thus help in getting rid of the swelling. In case there is any skin irritation with the swelling, cucumbers contain caffeic acid and vitamin C which will be nourishing to the eyes and which help to reduce it.

• Slice a cucumber into thin circles.
• Place these into the refrigerator for some time to cool them.
• While leaning back, place a slice on each eye for 10-15 minutes.

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Is Facial Swelling Dangerous

Facial swelling can be dangerous if your airway also swells up. This includes the tongue, pharynx or the windpipe. It could be due to some allergic reaction. In such cases, seek medical help at the earliest.

With all the above preventive measures and treatment options, you never have to wake up with another puffy face. In case your swelling is reluctant to go away, consult your dermatologist.

How Long Does Lip Swelling Last

If the cause for the lip swelling is Angioedema, it can last for anything from 24-48 hours. If the cause is minor, then the swelling should come down within a few hours. Any swelling that takes longer than 24 hours to come down, and is not caused by a chronic or more severe condition shouldnt be ignored and must be looked at by a doctor.

Wrapping Up

There can be various reasons behind swollen lips. From an injury to an infection, an allergy or something worse, if your lips swell up and don’t subside in a few hours, you need to have it treated accordingly. Depending on the cause, whether acute or chronic, you can treat it at home or seek medical help.

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All About Allergic Reactions To Eyelash Extensions

Rimvita Marcinkeviciute

Founder of RM Lash & Beauty and professional lash expert

We lash artists care a great deal about our clients. Not only do we want them to look and feel amazing, but we also want to protect their wellbeing too, especially when it comes to allergies.

Fortunately, allergic reactions to eyelash extension adhesive are uncommon, but they do happen. If an unfortunate event occurs, it is our responsibility as lash artists to recognise the tell-tale signs and to know how to help our clients.

Sometimes this will involve light treatment and guidance other times, the extensions will need to be removed, followed by a trip to the doctors.

Whilst this is a horrible conversation to have with a client, its important that we do everything in our power to prevent a severe reaction, even if the client has received bad eyelash extensions from another technician.

Remedies For Bags Under Eyes

Identifying the underlying cause of bags under the eyes is the first step in choosing a remedy.

For example, if eye bags are a result of ageing or run in your family, a cosmetic solution like plastic surgery may be the best option for getting rid of them.

Know up front that cosmetic eye surgery done solely to improve appearance will not be covered by medical insurance.

When bags under the eyes are the result of environmental or underlying health issues, there are some simple home remedies and lifestyle changes that may help to lessen their appearance. These include:

• Get plenty of sleep .

• Sleep with your head elevated a few inches to keep fluid from pooling around your eyes.

• Avoid fluids before bedtime and avoid salt throughout the day.

• Use a damp, cool washcloth as a compress on your eyes, preferably while sitting upright. Alternatively, cucumber slices or cold, damp tea bags can be used to help bring down swelling.

• Keep your allergy symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications.

• Use cosmetic concealers to cover up dark under-eye shadows.

One popular home remedy for reducing bags under the eyes is the use of hemorrhoid creams.

Hemorrhoid creams contain phenylephrine, which constricts blood vessels and can temporarily tighten the skin under the eyes, making eye bags less noticeable. Be careful not to get the cream in your eyes as it could irritate them.

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Puffy Eyes Caused By Allergies: Triggers And Treatments

• Puffy eyes are often due to allergic reactions and can be triggered by such irritants as pet dander, dust mites and mold.
• Puffy eyes are a result of three different forms of allergies: airborne, contact and ingested.
• Several over the counter and prescription treatments are available to treat the causes and symptoms of puffy eyes.

The eyes are typically where the signs of allergies are most commonly seen, including swollen and watery eyes, redness and itching. A variety of treatments exist, including home remedies, OTC and prescription medications.

The treatment you choose will often depend on the severity of the allergic reaction and the root cause.

Contents

• When to See a Doctor

Use Medicated Eye Drops

In addition to sterile rinses, medicated eye drops may help relieve some of the discomfort associated with seasonal eye allergies. Decongestant or antihistamine drops can control redness, itchiness, and other symptoms.

You may also want to use artificial tears to help maintain correct eye lubrication. Before you begin a new eye health regimen, consult with your optometrist to determine which brand and formula is best for your symptoms.

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There Are Several Signs Of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Typical signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include:

• Redness in both eyes.
• Itching and burning of both the eye and surrounding tissues.
• Watery discharge, often accompanied by acute discomfort in bright sunlight light .
• The conjunctiva itself may become very swollen and look light purple, and this may interfere with clarity of vision.

Eyelids may also be affected by an allergic reaction, causing the loose tissues of the lid to become swollen with subsequent drooping of the eyelid. In cases of severe swelling, the lids cannot open and the gap between the upper and lower lids becomes slit like.

It is important to note that blurred vision or corneal haze require urgent referral to an eye specialist.

Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms may be:

• Perennial due to exposure to dust mite, animal dander, indoor and outdoor mould spores and occasionally foods or food additives.
• Seasonal due to airborne allergens such as pollen of grasses, trees and weeds. Pollen allergy symptoms vary from day to day, depending on the weather, improving in wet weather and worsening on hot windy days or after thunderstorms. There are also seasonal variations in some airborne mould spores, which may cause seasonal symptoms.

Use An External Eyewash With Turmeric

Curcumin, a compound present in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory effects and can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells.4 Animal studies have found that this compound can suppress eye allergies.5

Try this simple ayurvedic remedy for your eye allergy: Mix in ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder into ¼ cup of distilled clean warm water and use the solution to clean eyelid and your outer eye. Add this flavorsome spice to soups and curries or have a cup of turmeric tea to fight inflammation from within.6

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Inflammation Of The Cornea Can Also Be Associated With Allergy

The cornea has very few blood vessels , and is seldom involved in an allergic reaction. However, there are a number of causes of small pinpoint defects in the cornea, a condition called epithelial keratitis, which is usually due to drug and chemical exposure, for example:

• Drug toxicity and drug allergy.
• Vernal conjunctivitis.
• Contact sensitivity to topical eye medications such as neomycin, idoxuridine, atropine and derivatives, thiomersal and some topical anaesthetics.

Specific conditions involving the cornea, which are associated with allergy are listed below.

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis

• A combined inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea, most often associated with atopic dermatitis/eczema.
• Usually results in red, scaly and weeping skin of the eyelids.
• Secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus is common and may cause infection of the eyelash follicles.
• The conjunctiva may be swollen, red and with a tenacious clear or pus containing discharge.
• The condition can persist for many years and causes severe photophobia, weeping and itching.
• If the photophobia is severe, it can be difficult for people to open their eyes in direct sunlight.
• Conjunctival scarring may occur if the persistent condition is not treated properly.

Keratoconus

Atopic cataracts

• May be associated with the severe form of atopic dermatitis in about 8-10% of sufferers.
• Occurs in children and young adults, even in the absence of steroid therapy.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis

How To Reduce Swelling Quickly

As we have earlier noted, cheek swelling comes from different causes. Therefore, to properly reduce swelling, the cause must be duly considered. The following can be helpful:

• Ice pack: This is really efficacious in managing fresh traumas. With the application of ice, the surrounding blood vessels are constricted to minimize hematoma.
• Over-the-counter drugs: A few OTC medications like ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen help in reducing inflammation and consequently lessen swelling.

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Talk To Your Doctor About Cosmetic Surgery

If your eye puffiness is severe, and if lifestyle changes or other remedies dont work, you may want to consider cosmetic surgery.

One type of surgery is blepharoplasty, which is eyelid surgery. During this procedure, a doctor moves or removes excess fat, muscle, and skin in your eyelid.

Your doctor may also have recommendations for laser treatments, chemical peels, or prescription medications to help serious cases of puffy eyes.

Why Do Allergies Cause Puffy Eyes

Allergies are triggered by exposure to certain environmental agents that are harmless to most peoples systems. However, for those with allergies, the immune system reacts defensively by releasing histamines into the bloodstream to fight these allergens. These histamines cause the blood vessels in the eye to become puffy and swollen.

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