How To Calm Eye Allergies

What Can You Do For Eye Allergy Treatment And Relief

The best thing to do is to totally avoid whatever eye allergens and irritants bother your eyes. However, this is hard since these triggers are airborne.

Here are some tips to keep your eyes clear, clean and comfortable:

• Use a preservative-free eye wash or artificial tears to moisten dry, irritated eyes and help wash out allergens and irritants.
• Put a damp washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes and then apply it to your eyelids to reduce itching and swelling.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes. Wash your hands and face after being outside on high pollen and mold days.

If You Suffer From Red Sore Allergic Eyes There Are Several Ways To Prevent This Condition From Affecting Your Life

Allergies are a common complaint, and can cause a great deal of discomfort sneezing, sniffling, stuffy nose, and itchy throat can all affect your daily functioning.

What you may not realize is your eyes can also be affected by allergies.

Up to 25 percent of people worldwide suffer from eye allergies.

Many eye allergy symptoms occur with the symptoms you may already be aware of. If your eyes are itchy, red and irritated, and there is no other explanation, allergies may be the cause.

Living With Cat Allergies

Luckily, it is possible to reduce your allergy symptoms with at-home remedies and other alternatives. There are certain strategies an individual can put in place, such as:

• Restricting your cats access to one room or certain rooms to minimize the spread of allergens. This will not keep the cat-free areas allergen-free because pet dander is airborne, but it can provide safer spaces for relief.

• Bathing your cat once a week to remove shedding hair and dead skin cells. Baths can also reduce the allergens that travel in the air.

• Washing your hands after making direct contact with your cat. Alternatively, you can avoid hugging, kissing and petting your cat, but this is not always an option for affectionate pet owners.

• Investing in a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner and/or an air humidifier. Cleaning carpet and other floor surfaces with a good vacuum cleaner will reduce allergen levels. Meanwhile, air humidifiers produce steam to reduce dryness in the air and can moderately relieve irritated eyes and noses.

Following any combination of these strategies can help to reduce your symptoms, but they will not go away all at once.

If you suspect that you may be allergic to cats, contact your eye doctor. They might be able to offer solutions to manage your allergy on a day-to-day basis, especially if you own cats that you do not intend to rehome because of your allergy.

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Antihistamine Pills And Eye Drops

Antihistamine pills and liquids work by blocking histamine to relieve watery, itchy eyes. They include cetirizine , diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , or loratadine , among others. Some may cause drowsiness.

Antihistamine eye drops work well for itchy, watery eyes. You may need to use them several times a day, but donât use the over-the-counter kinds for more than 2-3 days. Prescription kinds include azelastine hydrochloride , cetirizine ophthalmic , emedastine difumarate , levocabastine , and olopatadine .

They are often combined with other kinds of drops, including some that shrink swollen blood vessels in your eye. You shouldnât use these kinds of drops, called or âget the red outâ drops, for more than a few days at a time. They can also lead to a rebound redness if used too frequently. Donât use them at all if you have glaucoma.

Over-the-counter antihistamines include ketotifen fumarate .

How Do I Know If My Dog Has An Eye Allergy

Some allergies may be seasonal, e.g., if caused by pollens. So your pups eye symptoms might appear during the spring and summer only. Or they can be all year round, depending on what your dog is allergic to. Your dogs signs are likely to come back more than once.

Allergies affecting the eyes may cause only mild symptoms, e.g., watery eyes. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are generally less severe than other eye conditions. However, mild symptoms should still be checked. Dogs with allergies affecting the eyes can also get infections or ulcers because of the irritation. Allergies are also more likely to affect both eyes simultaneously rather than just one which can be a clue.

Dogs that develop allergies are usually young when their symptoms start. Most often when they are between 1-3 years of age.

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Red Eye Is A Common Eye Problem

Red eye is one of the most common eye problems for which people visit a doctor. A description of symptoms and an eye examination by the doctor will usually suggest the cause:

• Pus containing discharge usually indicates that there is bacterial infection.
• Clear discharge suggests a viral or allergic cause.
• Itch and clear discharge suggests an allergic cause, possibly allergic conjunctivitis.
• Mild discomfort or burning often with excess watering may be due to dry eye.
• Vision loss, discomfort in bright sunlight and pain suggest more serious conditions, which should be investigated by an eye specialist .
• A gritty sensation is common in conjunctivitis, but the presence of a foreign body must be excluded, particularly if only one eye is affected.

Have Mandarin Orange Yogurt To Control The Allergy

Combine the power of mandarin orange and yogurt to rid yourself of an eye allergy. A study looked at the effect of this delicious treat on people who suffered seasonal allergic conjunctivitis due to cedar pollen. It was found that itching, redness, and swelling of eyelid was significantly lower in those who had mandarin orange yogurt than in the control group which had plain yogurt. Researchers concluded that the combined effect of protein -lactoglobulin from yogurt and flavonoid nobiletin in mandarin oranges helped suppress the allergic reaction.9

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Why Are My Eyes Puffy

Puffy or swollen eyes can be caused by fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other factors. Crying is often accompanied by swollen eyes because the tiny glands in the eyelids that produce tears become inflamed from overactivity.

Other times we get puffy eyes after sleeping. This can be caused by too much sodium in the diet, which causes water retention. Puffy eyes can also be caused by lack of sleep or excessive alcohol intake. Additional causes of puffy eyes include:

• Normal aging process

How To Stay Calm During An Allergic Reaction

• Reactions 0 reactions

Having an allergic reaction can be one of the scariest events to happen to you. There is nothing more frightening than being completely fine one moment and immediately feeling like you will die the next. During these moments, it’s important to try to stay calm.

In my personal allergies experience, I deal with food allergies. I grew up being able to eat anything I wanted and had no allergies. In my early 20s, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and IBS, and things changed drastically with food for me. Due to the nature of the disease, I became intolerant and allergic to several food groups.

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What Causes The Dark Blue

This is called the allergic shiner when theres swelling of tissue and fluid buildup in and around the eyes, blood starts to pool, darkening the skin and creating dark circles. The allergic shiner is also a common sign of environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites or pet dander, and it can also indicate food allergy.

When To Seek Help

Both eye allergies and dry eye are common ocular ailments, but these arent the only medical concerns that can affect your eyes.

See your doctor right away if you experience the following symptoms. They could indicate the presence of another eye issue caused by illness or injury.

• pus or yellowish discharge coming out of your eye, or crusty buildup in the eye , which may be signs of an infection associated with bacterial conjunctivitis
• a red bump near the eye or on the eyelid, which could possibly be a bug bite
• cuts or tears on your eyelid, or blood on the white part of your eye
• trouble seeing or blinking in one or both of your eyes
• a feeling like something is stuck in your eye despite irrigation with water, tears, or attempts to blink it out
• chronic pain in one or both eyes
• any changes to your pupil color, size, or shape

Note: Never rub your eye if you feel like theres an object in it, as this can lead to scratches and injuries.

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

• You have symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis that do not respond to self-care steps and over-the-counter treatment.
• Your vision is affected.
• You develop eye pain that is severe or becoming worse.
• Your eyelids or the skin around your eyes becomes swollen or red.
• You have a headache in addition to your other symptoms.

Should I See An Eye Doctor For My Allergies

Allergic conjunctivitis isnt always harmful, but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms. If you own cats or really want a cat but battle pet dander allergies, it might be advisable to seek guidance from a trained eye doctor.

An ophthalmologist or optometrist can provide you with prescription medications or home remedies to better manage your allergy symptoms if rehoming your pet or going pet-free just isnt an option.

NEED TREATMENT FOR YOUR EYE ALLERGIES? Find an eye doctor near you.

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How Common Are Pet Dander Allergies

Cats are beloved pets that can provide decades-long companionship. Its even been estimated that one in four American households have at least one cat. However, with pet dander allergies affecting 10%20% of the population and on the rise its important to stay healthy as you care for your pets.

Allergies And Itchy Eyes: Tips For Relief

There are two types of allergies that can affect the eyes: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergies commonly make their appearance in spring and summer. This is when you hear a large number of people dealing with similar reactions to the biggest seasonal allergy culprit: pollen.

Perennial allergies are more specific allergies that affect certain people all year long, whenever they come in contact with the object. Feathers, dust, and pet dander are common perennial allergens.

Both seasonal and perennial allergies can cause red, swollen, itchy, burning, and/or watery eyes. These symptoms are caused by the body reacting to the allergen and releasing histamine, a chemical that can cause swelling and inflammation. The release of histamine makes the blood vessels in your eyes swell and become red and itchy.

Relief for Itchy EyesItchy, watery eyes are not only unpleasant but also extremely inconvenient. Its hard to find relief for your eyes and refrain from scratching them out. At the same time, its easy to feel self-conscious when your eyes are constantly red and watery. If you deal with perennial allergies, try to pinpoint what exactly you are allergic to. This makes it easier for you to avoid those things. When you cant avoid your triggers, a damp rag over your eyes can provide short-term relief.

One last thing: we know its hard, but please dont rub your eyes. It may feel like rubbing your eye provides instant relief, but it will only make them worse in the long run.

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Artificial Tears Lubricating Eye Drops

Non-prescription eye drops may be sufficient in providing short term relief of mild symptoms. Artificial tears both moisten the eyes to soothe irritation, and wash allergens away. These drops can be used as often as needed and are available over-the-counter at your local drug store.

There are many different brands of artificial tears on the market, so ask your eye doctor for a recommendation.

Medication For Eye Allergies

The same over-the-counter antihistamines many people depend on for runny noses and sneezing can also help relieve itchy and watery eyes, which are symptoms of eye allergies. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines are not indicated to relieve the redness and swelling which may be seen with eye allergies. Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine . Claritin® is the non-drowsy oral allergy brand doctors recommend most.

Furthermore, eye drops can wash irritants from the eyes and keep them from feeling too dry.

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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.

The Difference Between Eye Allergies And Pink Eye

Eye allergies are caused by a reaction to allergens in the air while pink eye is most often caused by bacterial infections and viruses. Allergies usually cause irritation in both eyes while pink eye often occurs in one and then spreads to the other. Unlike pink eye, eye allergies are not contagious and will last only as long as youre exposed to the allergen.

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What Are The Treatments And Home Remedies For Puffy Eyes

For normal puffy eyes that are not caused by other eye conditions, there are many ways to reduce the swelling. The following is a list of ways to treat puffy eyes:

• Wash face with ice cold water
• Ice or cold packs
• Increase vitamin and mineral intake
• Drink plenty of water to clean out your system
• If puffy eyes are caused by allergies, discontinue using the item that causes the allergic reaction doctors may also provide shots or prescribe medication
• Cream for puffy eyes: Try a soothing eye cream with aloe and Vitamin E also look into certain products such as Revitalume and Swanson Creams Vitamin K cream
• Eye masks to apply mild pressure to the eyelids at night

You may have noticed that common cucumber and tea bag treatment methods are not mentioned here. This is because these items are not recommended by eye care professionals. Cucumbers are over 90 percent water, and the rest is mainly inert fiber.

Although cucumbers do reduce puffy eyes, it is the coldness of the cucumber that does the trick, not the cucumber itself. Coldness is known to constrict blood vessels, which reduces the flow of fluid into soft tissues.

Eye care professionals recommend using a washcloth dipped in cold water, which has the same effect. The reason cucumbers are not recommended is that food sometimes contains bacteria. Putting a possible bacteria source directly onto the eyes can lead to eye infections. The same is true of tea bags.

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.

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Is It Dog Allergies Or Infection In The Eye

If your dog has a more serious eye problem, they may not want to open their eye or eyes. You should if this happens. Large amounts of discharge which is thick or yellow-green, indicate that there may be a more severe problem.

Any swelling or redness should be examined by a vet who can determine dog eye allergies vs infection. Finally, call your vet clinic if your dog is bothered or irritated by their eyes, as this can signify pain.

Managing Eye Allergy Symptoms

Allergies cause more than stuffy noses and sneezing spells. They can make your eyes red, itchy, swollen and watery, too. These symptoms are irritating, and not just to your eyes. Sufferers may feel they look like they havent slept or cant stop crying, and they may even feel the urge to hide away. Thankfully, over-the-counter medicine and other simple steps, like avoiding common allergens, can help manage or prevent symptoms keeping your eyes clearer and your plans intact.

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Can Makeup Cause Eye Allergies

If certain makeup products make your eyes, or the skin around your eyes, red, itchy, swollen or scaly, you may have an eye makeup allergy, or be sensitive to an ingredient in one of your cosmetics.

This doesnt mean that you have to give up makeup and go natural from now on just be more aware of the type of products you apply to your eyes and face.

Hypo-allergenic cosmetics contain fewer allergy-causing ingredients and non-allergenic products are made for those who cant even tolerate hypo-allergenic products.

Be sure to check the label and avoid buying products that contain lanolin and perfume, as they are the most common causes of allergic reactions.