Your eyes, not just your nose, can be affected by allergies. You may have redness, itching and watery eyes, or inflamed eyelids. Does that describe your experience? You’re not alone. Allergies are extremely common, reportedly affecting 50 million people in the U.S. alone.

Allergic Reactions in the Eye

When your body comes into contact with an allergen or certain kinds of medications your immune system produces a chemical called histamine. When you experience allergy symptoms, it means that the histamine has bonded to the tissue in your eyes and is causing them to enlarge or dilate.

How to Treat Itchy Eyes

How can eye allergy symptoms be treated? Once you are properly diagnosed by an eye care professional, a course of treatment will be determined based on your needs, which may include medication.

The best way to avoid experiencing allergy symptoms is to keep away from situations that cause them. For example, if seasonal pollen is bothersome, try to stay indoors as much as possible. Or if you’re allergic to cats, don’t spend much time in homes with feline friends.

Despite your best efforts to avoid exposure to allergens, you will probably need to rely on an over-the-counter solution once in a while. Numerous non-prescription products are very effective at treating allergy symptoms. Cold compresses, topical treatments, and eye drops can provide relief when your allergies cause discomfort. Only your eye care professional can recommend the best products for you, so it’s a good idea to ask about what you can do when you don’t have access to prescriptions.

To learn more about how to eradicate your eye allergy symptoms, contact Vistar Eye Center and schedule a consultation today!