How to Protect Your Eyes During Allergy Season

Enjoy the spring with irritant-free eyes using the following guidelines.

Many of us are ecstatic to say goodbye to the winter, but welcoming the spring means to also welcome a new allergy season. Other than making your nose run and your head ache, allergies can cause irritation to your eyes. Luckily, there are ways to combat allergies and their effects. As the grass gets greener and the lawnmowers start to rumble again, consider these tips to make this allergy season as comfortable as possible.

Avoid Allergens
You can’t suffer from allergies if you don’t come into contact with allergens. Common allergens include pollen, fresh cut grass, mold, dust, and various types of food. Different people have different responses to allergens, being able to handle some while being turned into a symptomatic mess by others. The best course of action is to identify the allergens that affect you the most and steer clear of them whenever you can.

Wash All Fabric Regularly
Many allergens are extremely small and hard to see, which means that they can easily become attached to your clothing and transfer to other household fabrics (e.g. bedsheets, quilts, pillowcases, and curtains). Keeping these materials clean will significantly reduce your exposure to the allergens that sneak their way into your home. Wash all fabric on a regular basis with hot water to prevent any of those allergens from ending up in your eyes down the line.

Keep Eyewear On Outdoors
Walking outside with your eyes closed the entire time isn’t a reasonable way to avoid allergy-related irritation. Luckily, multiple forms of eyewear can give you the protection you need. If you’re ever in a high-allergen environment, like when cutting grass, goggles are super effective at protecting your eyes from harmful particles. Sunglasses, too, can provide protection from airborne allergens as well as UV light. Even your eyeglasses, designed solely to improve your vision, can serve as a convenient shield against harmful substances.

Use Allergy Medicine
Antihistamine is a type of chemical compound that reduces the symptoms caused by exposure to allergies. The two most common antihistamines for treating eye allergies are liquid drops and pills. These medications are effective at relieving eyes that are itchy, watery, and reddened. Although there are plenty of over-the-counter options for allergy medicine, you can also receive a prescription-only remedy that may prove more effective from a licensed eye doctor.

Dealing with allergies that cause eye irritation is challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Sterling Vision has a team of qualified eye care professionals who can examine your allergies and prescribe the proper remedies. To schedule an appointment with us, call 541-262-0597 or schedule online.