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 .
Dry Eye Syndrome From Medications Or Medical Procedures
Your eyes can be sensitive to other changes in your body, such as new medications or medical procedures.
- Medications: Many medications can cause dry eyes as a side effect, especially antihistamines, decongestants, and medications for hormone replacement therapy.
- LASIK:LASIK laser eye surgery is an amazing technological advancement in improving your vision. Sometimes as your vision improves, LASIK can cause temporary or long-term dry eye syndrome.
Avoid Rubbing Your Itchy Eyes
As tempting as it may be, you should avoid rubbing your itchy eyes. Here are a few reasons why:
- If you have eye allergies, rubbing can release more histamine, which is a chemical released by cells in the body that is associated with an allergic reaction. When you rub your eyes, you could cause them to feel even itchier and more irritated.
- You could mistakenly scratch your cornea with a fingernail. This could require medical attention.
- Too much eye rubbing can lead to a condition called keratoconus, which causes blurry vision, double vision, and astigmatism .
- As reiterated during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should avoid touching your face so you dont transmit germs.
You May Like: Are Allergies A Sign Of A Strong Immune System
How We Diagnose Dry Eye Syndrome
The only way to know if youre experiencing dry eye syndrome is by making an appointment with us .
Well examine your eyes and eyelids to look for common signs of dry eye. Well also measure the quality and quantity of your tear production and take your blink rate into consideration.
To get a clear picture of whats going on in your eyes, well check the health of the glands in your eyes that produce nourishing oils. Whatever the results of your examination, well be able to discuss possible causes and treatments
What Are Eye Allergy Symptoms
When you have eye allergies, the mast cells lining the conjunctiva release histamine when exposed to allergens and irritants. Those allergens and irritants cause the conjunctiva to swell and symptoms of eye allergies to occur.
Common symptoms include:
- red, irritated, teary and itchy eyes
Hot, dry weather dries out the eyes and makes eye allergy symptoms worse.
Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Fatigue And Body Aches
How Are Itchy Eyes Treated
It is important to see your pharmacist or optometrist to work out the cause of your itchy eyes.
Itching caused by an allergy can be helped with antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops. It can help to use artificial tears to wash away any allergens on the surface of your eye. Sometimes you may need to take an oral antihistamine.
If you have something in your eye, try to wash it out with warm water or a saline solution. If that doesnt work, you should see a doctor within 24 hours.
Triggers Of Eye Allergies
- Cause. An allergic reaction of the eyes to allergic substance. The medical name for this is allergic conjunctivitis. The allergic substance is called an allergen. Most allergens float in the air. That’s how they get in the eyes. Here are the common ones:
- Pollens. Trees, grass, weeds and molds are the most common pollens. Tree pollens come in the spring. Grass pollens come in the summer. Weed pollens come in the fall. Pollens cause seasonal allergies. You can’t avoid pollens because they are in the air. Most eye allergies continue through the pollen season. They can last 4 to 8 weeks. Pollens cause seasonal eye allergies.
- Pets. Allergens can also be from cats, dogs, horses, rabbits and other animals. Pet allergens are in the air. They can also get in the eyes from the hands. Most people don’t keep a pet that they are allergic to. They only have sporadic allergy symptoms when they are exposed to a pet. These symptoms usually last a few hours. If you own the pet, your child will have symptoms all the time.
- House Dust. House dust contains many allergens. It always contains dust mites. If your humidity is high, it will contain mold. If someone with a cat visits you, they will bring cat dander with them. House dust causes year round, daily symptoms. The medical name for this is perennial eye allergies.
Read Also: Why Do Your Eyes Itch With Allergies
Drink Lemon Juice To Tackle Allergic Reactions
Lemon contains the flavonoid hesperetin and vitamin C. Both these compounds have antihistamine properties and can help prevent an allergic reaction. One case study found that a woman who was sensitive to a variety of substances from detergents, dust, and pollen to perfumes experienced relief from symptoms when she had lemon juice. Interestingly, the lemon juice worked in half an hour and cleared symptoms of not only eye allergy but also nasal allergy.78
Find Relief From Itchy Eyes At Last
Get help from the expert doctors at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center to find lasting relief from itchy eyes. Our specialists have helped Colorado residents get rid of their dry, red, itchy eye symptoms for decades. Make an appointment today to stop itchy irritation and start seeing with happy, healthy eyes.
You May Like: Can You Develop A Food Allergy
Hay Fever And Other Allergies
Itchy eyes caused by a mild allergic reaction can normally be treated with over-the-counter treatments. Your pharmacist can help you pick out a suitable product such as eye drops or antihistamine tablets. Eye drops will directly soothe irritation in the eye, while antihistamines will counter the effects of the allergic reaction.
You could also try a cold therapy mask to help relieve allergy symptoms including puffiness around your eyes.
You can also prevent irritation by trying to avoid the allergen that causes your itchy eyes. If you have hay fever, avoid leaving the house or having windows open on a day when the pollen count is high. If you have to go out, wear wraparound sunglasses to help protect your eyes.
Itchy Eyes: Symptoms Causes & Treatment In Denver
Itchy eyes are often a symptom of a bigger problemallergiesand they are a nuisance that affects millions of people. But the experienced doctors at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center can help determine the cause of your itchy eyes and develop a personalized treatment plan so that you can find lasting relief from frustrating allergy symptoms.
You May Like: What Can Pregnant Women Take For Allergies
Eyes Feeling Itchy And Dry How To Prevent And Treat Dry Eye Syndrome
As the leaves turn yellow and the pumpkins appear on front porches, you might notice another sign of the season thats far less welcome: dry, itchy eyes.
Dry eyes impact nearly 16 million Americans. Colder, drier air has less moisture, which can cause irritation and discomfort. And in the fall, pollen is thick in the air, which can cause your symptoms of dry eye to be even worse.
If youve ever experienced dry eye syndrome, youre all too familiar with scratchy eyes, itching, redness, and irritation. You might even experience blurred vision as a result.
Dry eyes might run in your family the same way blood type and height do. If your dry eye isnt genetic, it might be caused by lifestyle factors, medications youre taking, or a medical procedure youve had.
Whatever the cause, there are many ways to prevent dry eyes and treat them with at-home remedies. Here are the most common causes of dry eye syndrome and how to get immediate dry eye relief.
What’s Causing Your Itching Teary Eyes
Do your eyes itch after youve been near a cat? Do they puff up or run with tears when pollen is in the air?
Allergies of the eye affect about 20% to 40% of Americans each year and are on the rise. The same inhaled airborne allergenspollens, animal dander, dust mite feces, and moldthat trigger allergic rhinitis can lead to allergic conjunctivitis . Both conditions are IgE-mediated allergic responses. Its not surprising that people with one of these conditions often suffer from the other as well. Some 95% of people with allergic conjunctivitis have allergic rhinitis, according to one estimate.
Allergic conjunctivitis, also called ocular allergy, is predominantly a disease of young adults, as symptoms typically decrease with age. More than half of eye allergies are seasonal the rest are perennial. The symptoms are itchy and red eyes, tearing, edema of the conjunctiva or eyelid, and a mucous discharge. Although it can be uncomfortable, you can rest assured that uncomplicated allergic conjunctivitis is not a threat to vision.
Read Also: Can Allergies Cause Red Spots On Throat
You Have An Eye Infection
Sometimes, an eye infection may produce some of the same problems as seasonal allergies. Indeed, eye infections can instigate itchy eyes, says optometrist Jaclyn Garlich, OD.
So how can you tell if you’re dealing with an infection or allergies? Unlike seasonal allergies, an eye infection will present with thick or mucous-like discharge and light sensitivity, Dr. Garlich says.
Additionally, you might also experience pain and/or a gritty sensation in the eyes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Care Advice For Eye Allergy
Recommended Reading: Can Food Allergies Cause Back Pain
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 You Avoid Eye Problems
You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, its easily spread.
You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies.
Conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, its easily spread.
Frequent hand washing is just one way to help prevent pink eye and other contagious diseases. Taking care with makeup and contact lenses also helps prevent bacterial pink eye from spreading.
Read Also: How To Tell The Difference Between Allergies And Covid
How To Prevent Dry Eye Syndrome
Whether dry eyes come from genetic factors, environmental causes, or medications, there are several changes you can make to your lifestyle to reduce your symptoms and get relief.
Prevent dry eye syndrome by:
- Limiting air blowing directly into your eyes from air conditioners, fans, heaters, and car vents.
- Supplementing the moisture in the air of your home and office with a humidifier, especially in winter.
- Taking breaks away from screens. This will help you blink more, which delivers moisture to your eyes.
- Protect your eyes with sunglasses when youre outside, especially if its windy.
- Quit smoking. Firsthand and secondhand smoke can dry out your eyes.
What Causes Allergic Rhinitis
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine, which is a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This chemical can cause allergic rhinitis and its symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
In addition to tree pollen, other common allergens include:
Also Check: Can Food Allergies Cause Sinus Inflammation
Can Allergies Cause Dry Eyes
If your eyes feel dry and irritated in the winter months when there are fewer outdoor allergens, then you may have a form of tear dysfunction known as dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This is not an allergic reaction it happens when your eyes either do not make enough tears or the tears they make go away very quickly.
Many people have dry eye, including about one-third of older adults. Its commonly found in people with eye allergies as well. Symptoms are sometimes worse when its cold or windy outside, after you turn on the heat in your home, or if youre in a dry environment. Some medications, including oral antihistamines, sleeping pills and anti-depressants, can cause symptoms.
Lifestyle Causes Of Dry Eye Syndrome
If you notice a change in your eyes after making a lifestyle changelike moving to a new state, starting a new job, or shifting your dietgenetics might not be to blame. Several environmental factors and habits can impact the health of your eyes:
- Technology:Prolonged screen time can cause you to not blink as frequently, meaning your eyes dont receive as much moisture.
- Air conditioning: Heaters and warm, dry air, as well as both cold and warm air from car vents can dry out your eyes.
- Dry climates: If you live in a dry climate such as the mountains or desert, the lack of moisture in the air can dry out your eyes.
- Exposure to wildfire smoke: If you live in an area with frequent wildfires, you might notice your eyes feel irritated and dry when youre exposed to smoke.
- Diet: Your eyes receive essential nutrients from foods. Without enough vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids, your eyes might not produce enough tears or tears with adequate nutrients to nourish your eyes.
- Allergies: Seasonal allergies to pollen can dry out your eyes. So can allergies to things around you including pet dander, mold, dust mites, cleaning products, perfumes, and beauty products.
Read Also: How To Read Blood Test Results For Allergies
How Can I Get Rid Of My Allergies
While there are several ways to prevent allergies from flaring, there are also ways to improve your sensitivity to allergies through allergen immunotherapy.
Allergen immunotherapy is a gradual increase in exposure to different allergens. Its especially useful for environmental allergies, like pollen, mold and dust.
The purpose is to train your immune system to not react when allergens are present. Its often used when other treatments have not worked. Types of allergen immunotherapy include allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy.
What Are Some Eye Allergy Medications
First, talk with your doctor about developing an allergy treatment plan that addresses nasal, respiratory and eye symptoms.
Over-the-counter and prescription eyedrops and oral medications can also be used to treat eye allergies.
Over-the-counter Oral antihistamines can help relieve itchy eyes, but they may also dry out the eyes. Decongestant eyedrops can help reduce eye redness associated with allergies, but they should not be used for more than three days or they may worsen irritation.
Prescription Antihistamine eyedrops can reduce eye swelling, itching and redness associated with allergies. Antihistamine drops combined with a mast cell stabilizer provide relief for itching, redness and burning sensation and can also prevent symptoms.
For severe eye allergies, you may be prescribed mild corticosteroid drops these should only be used for conjunctivitis caused by allergy, not bacterial infections. Eye allergies cause clear, watery discharges while bacterial infections cause yellow or greenish secretions.
Read Also: Why Is My Allergy Medicine Not Working
