What’s The Best Allergy Medicine For Itchy Eyes

When To Seek Medical Attention For Itchy Eyes

If you have short-term problems with itchy eyes and also experience seasonal allergies, you likely dont need medical attention unless OTC remedies do not help.

However, see a provider if:

• Your symptoms are severe or make it hard to function
• Your symptoms worsen or do not improve with home care or over-the-counter allergy medicines or eye drops
• You notice mucus coming from your eyes

You can develop an eye infection in addition to eye allergy symptoms.

Common eye infections that can cause red or itchy eyes include viral or bacterial conjunctivitis and blepharitis .

If you develop any of the following symptoms, call 911 or get emergency medical care:

• Sudden vision changes or blind spots

How To Relieve Itchy Watery Eyes From Allergies

While some nasal spray brands treat nasal allergy symptoms, most dont treat itchy, watery eyes. But with FLONASE Allergy Relief, you can treat your allergy symptoms all at once.1 Also, FLONASE was the first OTC nasal allergy spray proven to offer 24-hour relief of both nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms.

FLONASE Allergy Relief

How Much Does Otc Allergy Medicine Cost

OTC allergy medications vary significantly in price, according to our analysis. Costs ranged from around 25 cents for an antihistamine tablet to nearly $20 for a months supply of nasal spray.

Our Best OTC Allergy Medications for Adults and Children ranking didnt include the vast number of generic versions with the same active ingredients as many brand name products. Generic products are held to the same FDA regulations as brand name products, making them just as effective as their brand name counterparts but at a lower price.

If you find that Claritin, for example, is an antihistamine that works for you, you may want to consider a generic version of loratadine as a more affordable alternative.

Dont Miss: Can Allergies Make You Short Of Breath

You May Like: Is It Allergy Season In November

Short Term Vs Long Term Relief

If youre looking for short-term allergy relief on a budget, over-the-counter allergy medication is a great way for you to get relief. But, if youre looking for a long-term solution and want to train your body to fight allergies better in the future, allergy drops are a great solution. There are pros and cons to both options, but we suggest meeting with an allergy specialist to determine what choice is best for you.

How We Chose The Best Eye Drops For Allergies

We consulted eye experts like Vivienne Hau, M.D., Ph.D., a Kaiser Permanente ophthalmologist and retina specialist, Ming Wang, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical professor at Meharry Medical College and cataract and Lasik eye surgeon, Joseph Dizon, M.D., an allergist an immunology specialist, Benjamin Bert, M.D., a California-based ophthalmologist, and Rachael A. Wruble, O.D, an eye allergy specialist to determine what you should look for when shopping for eye drops for allergies. We also reviewed the Good Housekeeping Institutes top picks, which tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item and reviewers who have shared their own insights.

Read Also: Do You Cough Stuff Up With Allergies

Are There Other Things Older Adults Should Consider When Taking Allergy Medications

Wozniak: In general, since theres so much available over the counter and its hard to keep track of whats older or whats newer, talking with your pharmacist, doctor and health care team is pretty important. That way we can consider those other conditions, the other medications youre on and the individual factors of the medication to make sure its safe and effective for you.

How To Use Ketotifen Fumarate Drops

If you are using the over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product package before using this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, use it exactly as directed.

Apply 1 drop to the affected eye as directed by the package instructions or your doctor, usually twice a day .

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

Ask your doctor if you can wear contact lenses while you are being treated with this medication. If your doctor says you may continue wearing them, remove them before using the eye drops, and wait at least 10 minutes after each dose before putting in your lenses. Do not use this medication to treat irritation from contact lens wear. Consult your doctor about the use of contact lenses when the eyes are red or irritated.

Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and apply 1 drop in the lower eyelid. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use, and keep the bottle tightly closed.

You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Blurred Vision And Dizziness

Find The Best Eye Allergy Relief Today

Now, you know more about some of the ways that you can get relief from itchy, dry, or red eyes. You should always start by speaking to your doctor. That way, you can confirm that your symptoms are caused by allergies, and not some other condition that needs immediate attention.

You also know some of the over-the-counter allergy treatments that are available to help you manage discomfort and restore your eyes. Try several to find out which options work the best for you.

Finally, youve learned some methods that you can use to stay comfortable between doses, or while youre waiting for your medications to arrive. Use what youve learned to finally get relief from painful allergy reactions.

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Loratadine comes as a syrup , a tablet, and a rapidly disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Follow the directions on the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take loratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed on the package label or recommended by your doctor. If you take more loratadine than directed, you may experience drowsiness.

If you are taking the rapidly disintegrating tablet, follow the package directions to remove the tablet from the blister package without breaking the tablet. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil. After you remove the tablet from the blister package, immediately place it on your tongue and close your mouth. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without water.

Do not use loratadine to treat hives that are bruised or blistered, that are an unusual color, or that do not itch. Call your doctor if you have this type of hives.

Stop taking loratadine and call your doctor if your hives do not improve during the first 3 days of your treatment or if your hives last longer than 6 weeks. If you do not know the cause of your hives, call your doctor.

Do not use this medication if the safety seal is open or torn.

Read Also: How Long To Take Allergy Medication

Nasacort Allergy 24hour Nasal Spray

Nasacort is nasal spray thats been on the market for quite some time, offering relief from itching, sneezing, and stuffy noses caused by seasonal allergies and hay fever. We should note that while Nasacort is effective, it has been known to cause a burning sensation. It is not for patients under the age of two.

Care Advice For Eye Allergy

Don’t Miss: How To Test For Hidden Food Allergies

Best For Natural: Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Drops

Courtesy of Amazon

• Can be used as needed

• May not be strong enough for severe allergies

• Possibility of allergic reaction to natural ingredients

For anyone wanting to treat eye allergies naturally, without medications, preservatives, or other chemicals, Similasan offers an eye drop containing gentle, non-irritating ingredients. These allergy relief drops treat red, itchy, stinging, and watery eyes.

Because the ingredients are natural, you can use the drops as needed without worrying about side effects or rebound symptoms. They contain three primary botanical extracts that work to tackle your symptoms naturally. The company advises wearers to check with a doctor first before using this product with contact lenses.

Price at time of publish: $7

Active Ingredients: None | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops in affected eye as needed

Best For Those: Clear Eyes Itchy Eye Allergy Medicine

The Clear Eyes Itchy Eye Allergy Medicine is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily use. The clear eyes itchy eye allergymedicine is made for a great price and it works great. Clear eyes eye drops provide fast-acting relief, moisturizers for dry eyes, and long-lasting soothing comfort. Further, the medicine is great and also great around the eyes and it is very effective.

Finally, the clear eyes itchyeye allergy medicine provides up to 12 hours of soothing comfort.

Most customers agree that the medicine makes them look old, plus it is good in a pinch though. And, a few also found that the medicine is a great relief for those living in areas with dry air. Moreover, a few strongly agree that this is the best of the redness relief products, and Amazon offers the best price. To sum up, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

Top Customer Quotes:

• This is greatly priced as it is packaged as a set.
• This works very well to relieve redness due to allergies.
• This is a good buy, but nothing terribly special.
• This does the job, comes with good stuff and it is great for drying.

Don’t Miss: Do Allergies Affect Your Lungs

Bausch + Lomb Alaway Eye Drops Provide Relief Up To 12 Hours

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Verywell / Sabrina Jiang

Pet dander, dust, ragweed, grass, and pollen can trigger your eyes to have an allergic reaction. Common OTC allergy medications may help, but according to Christine Franzese, MD, allergist at the University of Missouri Health Care, eye allergies can be hard to treat. Whether it’s dryness, redness, or itching, eye drops can provide some relief.

Best For Watery Eyes: Alcon Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops

Courtesy of Amazon

• Works quickly and lasts a long time

• Original prescription strength

• May sting or burn with application

• Cant be used while contacts are in eye

Are you sick of hearing about ketotifen yet? Sorry, but weve got one more for you. Lots of eye allergy sufferers swear by Zaditor, which contains this antihistamine powerhouse and relieves your symptoms for 12 hours with just one drop.

If you have watery eyes, you should be looking for a product with an antihistaminetheyre known for their ability to dry up mucus, which is why they are so good at stopping runny noses and post-nasal drip. For watery eyes, an antihistamine can reduce all those excess tears caused by environmental allergens.

Zaditor can help with everything from seasonal pollen to dry air in office buildings, providing both immediate and long-lasting relief. They can be used indefinitely without any rebound effect and are safe for use with contacts, too .

Price at time of publish: $18

Active Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025% | Dosage: 1 drop in affected eye twice per day or every 8-12 hours

Recommended Reading: What Is Alpha Lactalbumin Allergy

What Eye Drops Treat Allergic Conjunctivitis

There are many different types of allergy eye drops. Some OTC brands, like Clear Eyes, Visine, and Refresh, make different types of drops. And, often, there are multiple brand names that contain the same active ingredient. So be sure to check the Drug Facts label on the package to see what medication are in the eye drops you have.

How Often Can You Take Allergy Medicine

Good news for bad allergies: Antihistamines are OK for everyday use.

Long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines can be used daily, and theyre generally very safe to use, even in the long-term, Dr. Aronica says. In a pinch, you can take two in one day, but if you frequently feel like antihistamines dont help your allergy symptoms, try another type or see your allergist for their input.

And dont take a decongestant every day.

Decongestants can be used on an as-needed basis to cover difficult days but certainly for no longer than 10 to 14 days at a time, Dr. Aronica warns. They have a caffeine-like effect on your body, so they come with a risk of side effects like increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

In other words, save the decongestants for your absolute worst allergy days.

Don’t Miss: What Is In Advil Allergy Sinus

What Is The Best Way To Prevent Watery Eyes

If you started experiencing watery eyes recently or if you notice it happens occasionally, try out some of these tips at home to help prevent watery eyes:

• Take a break from screens to allow time for your eyes to rest
• Avoid areas with a lot of air movement or smoke
• Wear sunglasses outside
• Use a warm, wet cloth on your affected eye
• Do not share towels or washcloths that touch your eyes
• Wash your face or use clean eye wipes
• Clean off eye makeup before sleeping
• If you use contact lenses, clean and store them according to instructions
• If you have pet allergies but love your furry friend, try to avoid touching your face or eyes after direct contact. Make sure to wash your hands frequently!

Best For Dry Eyes: Systane Lubricant Eye Drops

Courtesy of Amazon

• Like artificial tears for dry, gritty eyes

• Long-lasting moisture for irritated eyes

• Can be used as needed

• Wont treat allergies

• Not for use with contacts

If dryness is your number one eye allergy symptom, you may want to start smallwith an artificial tear productand work your way up from there. You might not need to use antihistamine or decongestant products if lubrication solves your dryness problems.

When it comes to keeping your eyes nice and moist, Systane is a consistently good choice: with two different kinds of glycol, a humectant that attracts and binds water to the outer layer of a surface, these drops can be applied anytime your eyes need a serious refresher.

While these drops work well for lubricating dry eyes caused by allergies, they can also be used to moisturize gritty or blurry eyes, eye strain or fatigue, and excessive tearing. Theyre basically an all-purpose moisturizing cream for your eyes.

Price at time of publish: $16

Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene Glycol 0.3% | Dosage: 1 or 2 drops in affected eye as needed

Also Check: Can Food Allergies Cause Sinus Problems

Do Allergies Cause A Sore Throat

Yes, allergies can impact your throat. To understand why, you have to know why allergies happen in the first place: If youre allergic to something, your body sees proteins in that substance as a foreign invader. And when those proteins get into your systemsay, by breathing in a whiff of dust or getting pollen blown into your eyesyour immune system launches an inflammatory response in an attempt to protect you.

Related Stories

• FAQ: Is It COVID, the Flu, or Allergies?

Part of that inflammatory response involves producing lots of extra mucus. The mucus helps propel the debris out of your body, but it can give you congestion and a runny nose, which drains into your throat. The ears, nose, and throat are all physically connected, so problems in one area can affect another, explains William Reisacher, M.D., director of allergy services at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

As a result, that mucus can cause post-nasal drip, when the goopy stuff dribbles down the back of your throat and makes it feel raw and irritated. Allergens can also trigger the tissues in the back of your throat to become inflamed, which only adds to the discomfort, Dr. Mehdizadeh says.

Also Check: Food For Cats With Allergies