Photo Source: Flickr by spakattacks

Now that the holidays have passed, it’s beginning to look a lot like – allergy season.

With the blossoming flowers and reemerging leaves, allergies too are returning. And a majority of allergies affect the eyes and cause severe discomfort.

However, when you have an allergic reaction, you’ve got to remember it’s your eyes response to something going on in your body, and it may not necessarily be harmful. For instance, dust usually gets a reaction out of those with eye allergies. As a response or reaction, the eyes produce tears or mucus as protection, but dust is harmless to most people.

However, allergies that continue for an extended period of time can trigger other conditions, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or asthma.

Symptoms of eye allergies:

• Swollen, red and/or itchy eyes
• Sneezing or coughing
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose, mouth and/or throat
• Headache from sinus congestion
• Fatigue or lack of sleep

Causes of eye allergies

The cause of eye allergies vary, but typically are irritants such as pollen, dust, pet dander and mold. If you have a family history of eye allergies, you are also more likely to suffer from them as well.

Certain medications, cosmetics, or topical creams cause adverse reactions in your body, and therefore, trigger eye allergies.

Typically, however, it is airborne allergens that affect the eyes more so than things like food or insect bites.

The Simplest Way to Treat Allergies

The easiest way to treat allergies is to avoid the things that cause them in the first place. With itchy eyes, it’s important to keep your home extra clean, dust-free and free of pet hair and dander. If you spend a lot of time indoors, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier, and make sure you change your air filter on your air conditioning unit on time. The filters work to catch the allergens as they circulate in and out of the unit, keeping them on the filter and out of your eyes.

Outdoors you should always protect your eyes, and the easiest and best way to do that is a great pair of sunglasses. These not only protect from harmful UV rays, but from pollen and allergens coming into contact with your eyes. Also, remember to wear safety eyewear when appropriate.

Medication is another way to help remedy your eye allergies. Over-the-counter allergy medications are available for eye relief. If you need something stronger, you should visit with your doctor and get an Rx for prescription medication. Eye allergies can usually be lessened with the use of eye drops that contain antihistamines and decongestants as active ingredients.

Remember, if you have any additional symptoms or if your symptoms get severe, you should visit your doctor immediately to make sure you aren’t suffering from something more than allergies. Call America’s Best to make your appointment today.