From Causes to Treatment of Eye Allergies - All FAQs Answered

Eye allergies are what cause those itchy, red and sometimes swollen eyes that get watery and create discomfort. While they are not deadly, they are certainly very irritating, especially if they wish to trouble you for long. Can eye allergies be cured? Certainly!

Today, with the help of this article we intend to feed your curiosity about eye allergies, from what causes them to the treatment. We'll also get you answers to the many frequently asked questions. So, be ready for a value-packed 8-minute reading session where we answer all these questions for you. Here you go!

How do you know if you have eye allergies?

To know what do eye allergies feel like, you got to look out for symptoms like red and irritated eyes. You may feel itchiness or water discharge from your eyes. Eye allergies also come with swelling in the eyelids, a burning sensation, or pain. They may also lead to photophobia or sensitivity to light. So, now you have the answer to can eye allergies cause sensitivity to light.

Are there different types of eye allergies?

Yes, there are certain types of allergies which bring a different set of symptoms along. For instance, if you have Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis you may also have a foreign body sensation - a feeling that there’s something in your eye. If not treated on time, the allergy may impair your vision as well.

If you have severe itching and observe a thick mucus production such that your eyelids stick together after sleep, this may be another type of eye allergy which is called Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis. This usually happens to older people. If not treated, it may lead to scarring on the cornea, thus, damaging it.

And if you wear contact lenses, you may feel discomfort due to them. At a lower level of discomfort, this type of allergy is known as Contact Allergic Conjunctivitis. But if it grows severe and you see puffiness, blurred vision, foreign body sensation along with the regular symptoms of itchiness, red eyes and watery discharge, then the allergy is called Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis.

Wondering what regular allergies are called? Well, if the itchy and red eyes are accompanied by sneezing, nasal congestion, and fever, there’s a high chance that the allergy is seasonal. In medical terms, it is known as Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis. This is what happens when it is winters. Now you might be curious about what causes eye allergies in winter, as it’s the winters that see a rise in allergic patients. Well, wintertime is mostly spent indoors to avoid the cold and this exposes people to airborne dust particles, dust mites, pet dander (skin flakes), mould and cockroach droppings.

But, if you observe similar symptoms all year round, at a milder level, the allergy is called Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis.

What causes eye allergies?

Allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander and mould, which normally seem harmless are what can cause the most common allergies. Apart from these airborne allergens, chemicals from cosmetics, eye drops, bee stings, and insect bites can cause allergies. Things like cosmetics and eye drops lead to irritation because of the preservatives found in them which are not very suitable for eyes.

Contact lenses are a big cause of eye allergies as the airborne allergens get a place to sit on your eye if you use contacts. They can cause extreme discomfort and watery eyes, and provide relief only when removed.

How to prevent eye allergies?

The best way to prevent eye allergies is by preventing all kinds of allergens from entering your eyes. And if you use contact lenses, it is always better to avoid using them, especially if you can’t avoid the allergens in the first place.

That’s because allergens can accumulate over your contact lenses. That can cause a lot of discomforts. Thus, it is recommended to wear glasses instead. While contact lenses may have some benefits, they are not worth it if you have to constantly worry about allergies and discomfort.

But many people think that glasses are unappealing and can ruin their looks. Well, that’s far from the truth, especially when companies like Specscart are bringing over new designer eyewear day after day for you to amp up your fashion spirits.

If you also face sensitivity towards bright light due to the allergies, you can choose photochromic glasses (also known as transition glasses). These change their colour from light to dark and dark to light as and when you walk outdoors and indoors respectively. This way neither will you have to face the hassle of switching between your shades and prescription eyeglasses nor will you be troubled by the extremely annoying and harmful ultraviolet light from the sun. Photochromic lenses absorb the UV light for you and protect you from the sun, the sensitivity and as a bonus, from allergens too.

You can also go for wraparound sunglasses if you have to spend a lot of time outdoors. They will protect your eyes from all angles and prevent any dust, pollen or ragweed from entering your eyes and creating any irritation, or itchiness. Also, make sure to keep the windows of your vehicles closed if there is a dust storm or something similar happening outside.

For pet dander, you can make sure to wash your hands regularly after petting your animals. And for other kinds of duts and mould, you can ensure to clean your carpets often or remove them altogether. And close the air ducts to your bedroom if you have central heating or cooling.

What is the best treatment for eye allergies?

While nothing is best than preventing allergies in the first place, we ought to admit that it’s not possible at all times. So, how can they be cured? There are three principle methods.

Over the counter eye drops:

Eye drops can help lubricate your eyes and remove any foreign particle that might be causing the allergy. Whether or not that happens, certain over the counter eye drops help relieve itchiness, redness and the burning sensation with their composition. However, if they have any preservative, then they might be the very reason for your allergies, so make sure you contact your doctor before using them.

Eye drops are usually recommended because they make an inexpensive solution to this very common problem.

Medications

You can use decongestants, mast cell stabilisers, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (oral or eyedrops), Antihistamines, steroids, etc.

Immunotherapy

This is a method during which the specialist will give you allergy shots by introducing allergens in your body slowly. This will eventually make your body immune to them. While this method takes some time, it is said to be effective. Also, medication in many cases is still needed to cure some symptoms.

Do not forget, the best answer to how to make eye allergies go away is the method of rinsing out your eyes with a little bit of water. This is the best method because it is quick, inexpensive and readily doable at home. It works because whatever causes the allergy in the eye, be it allergens like pollen, dander, dust or mould or a chemical any foreign particle can loosen its grip in your eyes with a splash of water and leave the premise without much trouble. Do wash your eyes 2 to 3 times to ensure it is effective. And if it doesn’t work still, you have the above-mentioned techniques of treatment.

Now, that you know the symptoms, causes, prevention and also how to treat eye allergies, let’s move on to some quick questions that many people find amusing.

Are eye allergies contagious?

No, they aren’t. If someone around you has eye allergies and you get it too, it only means that you are prone to allergies yourself. Your allergy, in this case, is caused by wither airborne allergens, foreign particles in the eye or your contact lenses, not the person with the eye allergies.

Can eye allergies cause pain?

Yes, if there's constant itching or burning sensation you can experience the pain that comes with eye allergies.

What to use for eye allergies?

Eye drops and protective glasses are the best things to treat and manage eye allergens which can cause eye allergies.

Can eye allergies cause floaters?

Yes, in many cases, allergies can cause floaters. In case you aren’t aware, floaters are small spots or lines that follow the movement of your eyes and may feel like a flying mosquito. They are also visible as squiggly lines, strands and rings apart from looking like black dots.

Do eye allergies cause blurred vision?

Yes, eye allergies can cause blurry vision. You can get over it by resting your eyes for some time and using eye drops to lubricate them.

Can eye allergies cause headaches?

Yes, some allergies can cause headaches. That’s because of histamines. Our bodies release histamines as a response to the allergies. Histamines can cause our blood pressures to dro, which further cause headaches.

How long can eye allergies last?

This depends on how soon you get rid of the allergens and avoid them. On average, it takes about 4 to 8 weeks to get rid of them.

What causes eye allergies swelling?

Inflammation and swelling are reactions to the production of histamines in your body. And histamines release as a response to the allergies. So, if you have eye allergies, the histamines lead your eyes to swell.

When to see a doctor for eye allergies?

If you cannot get rid of your eye allergies even after some prevention and they are causing you trouble in the form of itchiness and burning sensation, then you must talk to your doctor right away!

Why are my eye allergies so bad?

There can be a lot of reasons for the way your allergies are. The best way to check is by seeing a doctor.

Can gluten cause eye allergies?

Not gluten, but an allergy towards wheat can certainly cause itchy and watery eyes that go red in the white area.

Can my foundation cause eye allergies?

People who use makeup and cosmetics should be very careful about applying anything around their eyes. That’s because these products may have preservatives which are not quite friendly with eyes. For instance, makeup can have preservatives like parabens, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol and formaldehyde. All of these can cause eye allergies.

Can styes be caused by eye allergies?

Yes. here is the reason. Staphylococcus, bacteria is one of the most common causes of styes. It can be transferred to the eye due to constant rubbing or touching of eyes. Now, when you have an eye allergy, one of the symptoms is itchy eyes which causes you to rub them again and again and thus, raise the chances of having styes.

Do eye allergies produce yellow mucus?

Most of the times, the discharge that happens from eyes due to eye allergies is clear and watery. However, many times, it may have a component of yellow or white mucus as well. So, to answer this question, yes, eye allergies can produce yellow mucus.

Why do my eye allergies get worse at night?

If your allergy is getting worse at night, it is likely a form of seasonal allergies. So, it may be caused due to pollen or dust mite which is usually found in linen and mattresses - the place you spend your nights on.

The Bottom Line

So, now you have the answers to the most asked questions about eye allergies. We have laid down all the basic information including the symptoms, causes, ways of prevention, treatment and much more.

Now, it is time for you to take action for the better life of your lives. Since prevention is always better than cure, it’s time you opt for eyeglasses that will help you protect your eyes. Especially, if you use contact lenses you are more prone to the allergies.

At Specscart, you will easily find designer frames of glasses made with high-quality hypoallergenic materials. Yes, be it metal, wood, or acetate, whichever material you choose does not cause any allergic reactions to your eyes and your nose. This makes these frames go-to for anyone prone to allergies.

To add to that, the glasses that are made at Specscart come with fully loaded lenses that have a free layer of anti-glare, anti-UV and scratch-resistant coating to protect your eyes.

Along with that, the shipping and returns are free as well.

All this is because Specscart makes sure correct vision, along with style, comfort and quality is available for each of us at the most affordable prices.

So, get going and choose your favourite frames of glasses or wraparound sunglasses from our fashion-centric collection and do your eyes a favour today!