Understanding Eye Allergies
When you say, "I have allergies," people expect you to sneeze. But your nose isn’t the only part of your body that gets hit during an allergy attack. You can also have red, swollen, and itchy eyes.
The usual suspects -- pollen, dust mites, pet dander, feathers, and other indoor or outdoor allergens -- can set off eye allergy symptoms. To treat them, find out what triggers them and stay ahead of the symptoms. Eye drops and other medications can bring relief.
Q: Atlanta is beautiful in the spring, but my allergies are so bad! Will moving to the desert make them go away? A: Ragweed and grass pollens are triggers that are difficult to avoid almost everywhere in the continental United States during the spring and summer. Although much of Arizona and New Mexico is arid, most people in the cities, suburbs, and small towns grow grass for lawns. Plus, the land has been disturbed by construction and landscaping, so weeds are widespread. Las Vegas, Tucson,...
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Eye Allergies Triggers
Eye allergies are also known as "allergic conjunctivitis." Just like any other allergic reaction, they are caused by a misfiring of the immune system, the body's natural defense mechanism.
When you have allergies, your body reacts to things that aren't really harmful, like pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander. It releases histamine, a chemical that causes swelling and inflammation. The blood vessels in your eyes swell and your eyes get red, teary, and itchy.
You can be allergic to:
- Pollen from grasses, weeds, and trees. These are the most common kinds of eye allergies and are called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
- Dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens. These eye allergies last year-round and are called chronic (perennial) conjunctivitis.
- Makeup, perfume, or other chemicals can trigger eye allergies called contact conjunctivitis.
- An allergy to contact lenses, called giant papillary conjunctivitis, makes eyes sensitive and red.
Symptoms to Watch For
You may start to have symptoms as soon as the eyes come in contact with the allergen, or you may not have symptoms for two to four days.
Symptoms of eye allergies include:
- Red, irritated eyes
- Itchiness
- Tearing or runny eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Soreness, burning, or pain
- Sensitivity to light
Usually you’ll also have other allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy, runny nose and sneezing.
Treating Eye Allergies
Some of the same medicines you use for nasal allergies work for eye allergies. For quick relief, over-the-counter eye drops and pills can help.
Antihistamine Pills and Eye Drops
Antihistamine pills and liquids work by blocking histamine to relieve watery, itchy eyes. They include Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin or Alavert (loratadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine), 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 don’t use the over-the-counter kinds for more than 2-3 days. Prescription kinds include Emadine (emedastine difumarate), Livostin (levocabastine), and Optivar (azelastine hydrochloride).
They are often combined with other kinds of drops, including some that shrink swollen blood vessels in your eye. You shouldn’t use these kinds of drops, called decongestant eye drops, for more than a few days at a time. Don’t use them at all if you have glaucoma.
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