Allergy Relief: Soothing Swollen Eyes
Allergy symptoms often include itchy, watery, red, and swollen eyes. Here’s the scoop on medications and home remedies that can provide relief.
Whether you’re out in the fresh spring air or cleaning your dusty basement, allergens run amok throughout the year. They trigger allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, stuffy and runny nose — and swollen eyes. Allergies can cause the eyes to swell and become red, itchy, watery, and really uncomfortable.
“The reason people have swollen eyes from allergies is they’re getting contact in the eyes from airborne allergens,” says Princess Ogbogu, MD, the director of the division of pediatric allergy, immunology, and rheumatology at the University Hospitals in Cleveland.
“Basically, when the allergens hit your eyes, they sort of dissolve in your tears,” says Dr. Ogbogu. “They have contact with the lining of the eye [the conjunctiva], and they react with antibodies that are bound to cells in your eyes.” These antibodies cause the body to release histamine — which also causes nasal congestion that often accompanies swollen eyes.
The allergens doing this damage include outdoor allergens such as pollen and molds, and indoor allergens such as pet dander and indoor molds.
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Eye allergies are also known as allergic conjunctivitis, but unlike other forms of conjunctivitis (pink eye), eye allergies are not contagious, notes the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). And eye allergies usually affect both eyes.
In addition to burning or teary, watery eyes, allergies may make you sensitive to light, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). A runny nose, cough, or headache often go hand in hand with eye allergies. The AAFA also adds that your vision may be briefly blurry and you may feel distracted or sluggish and unproductive.
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Remember, these are your eyes we’re talking about, so check with your doctor or ophthalmologist before you try any treatment. But if you’re looking for relief, consider the following home remedies and medical interventions.
Wash your face. Washing your face is one of the first things you should do to combat itchy, swollen eyes, says Ogbogu. It can help wash away the allergens sticking to your skin and eyelashes.
Rinse out the eyes. “Rinse out the eyes if you can with a little bit of water — that’s usually helpful,” Ogbogu says. That will loosen the allergens from the inside of your eyes and help to flush them out.
Apply a cold compress. “Cold compresses around the eyes can be helpful with itching and swelling,” says Ogbogu. Soak a towel or washcloth in cold water or refrigerate a damp cloth or eye pillow. Then lie down with the compress across your eyes to let the coolness reduce swollen eyelids.
Try allergy eye drops. Ogbogu suggests trying an over-the-counter eye drop made to soothe itchy, swollen eyes caused by allergies. An ophthalmologist might prescribe an antihistamine eye drop. But note that the AAO cautions that using certain drops for more than three days may actually increase irritating symptoms.
Mast cell stabilizer eye drops can also be effective, preventing the release of histamines in your body. Unlike antihistamine treatments, this type of eye drop needs to be administered before exposure to an allergen in order to prevent itching, notes the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The AAO also notes that some people may be allergic to the preservatives in certain lubricating eye drops and suggests using preservative-free formulas if that’s the case.
Take oral medications or get allergy shots. Ogbogu says that over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications, including antihistamines, can provide some relief for milder allergy symptoms, including swollen eyes. In addition to oral medications, allergy shots (immunotherapy) can help keep allergy symptoms under control.
Additionally, an OTC nasal spray called fluticasone (Flonase) is a corticosteroid formulated to relieve itchy, watery eyes along with nasal congestion.
Stay indoors. “Weather conditions play a role," says Ogbogu. A breezy day with lots of pollen in the air will continually reexpose you to allergens. On days when outdoor allergens are high, stay inside — and save outdoor activities for just after a rain, when fewer allergens fill the air.
It may be challenging, but avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can worsen symptoms.
Ogbogu says some do-it-yourself and home remedies aren’t always a good choice. “If you have intense redness that’s not leaving, you need to go see your doctor.”
And if any of the following occur, you should call your doctor immediately:
Allergies can cause swollen, itchy, and watery eyes, but simple steps like washing your face, applying cold compresses, and using certain eye drops can help manage these symptoms. Other tips include staying indoors when allergens are high and not rubbing your eyes, which can make symptoms worse. Medication and allergy shots may be additional options.
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