Drying Up Watery Eyes From Allergies

By Hillary G Glaser

 

Anyone who has ever suffered from seasonal allergies, especially in the spring and summer when everything is blooming, understands how irritating watery eyes can be! During the spring and summer, it's not uncommon for women who suffer from allergies to stop wearing eye makeup and stick to waterproof mascara. Those who wear contacts are used the concept of swapping from their contact lenses to their glasses when their eyes start tearing up. Eye allergies are usually hereditary are commonly associated with other allergic reactions. When an allergy attack happens, your eyes react to harsh allergens that are likely wreaking havoc in other areas of your body. Think of it this way, dust doesn't bother everyone but to someone with a dust allergy, extra mucus is created to ward off the allergen and excess tears are produced to rid the eyes of dust.

Unfortunately, allergies can also trigger other issues like conjunctivitis (pink eye), asthma, and even an eye-nose combo called rhino conjunctivitis. Symptoms of allergies are a lot like the symptoms of a cold. Sufferers usually have itchy and watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing, bouts of coughing, headaches from sinus congestion, and itchy noses, mouths, and throats. Eye allergies are caused by many airborne allergens like pollen, dust, mold, and even pet dander. Other allergens, like bug bites and stings, generally do not cause eye allergies but certain medications can cause your eyes to react badly.

Treating eye allergies is relatively simple. The first treatment is avoidance. It's the most common treatment because you're doing your best to avoid what's causing your allergy. If your eyes are itchy and you have pets, try to keep your house free of pet dander and dust by covering your furniture with washable covers. When it's hot outside and the wind has picked up, stay inside with the air conditioner on - it'll lessen the chances of you being affected by pollen. If you need to venture outside, opt for sunglasses that wrap around in order to protect your eyes from the allergens. Also, driving with the windows closed with help.

Medications are another great treatment - especially if you're not sure what is causing your allergies to flare. No one wants to stay inside all day, especially when it's beautiful outside, so you may want to try some of the over-the-counter medications to dry up your eyes and block the allergens. Each non-prescription medication has an advantage and disadvantage - before shopping for the medication, ask your neighborhood pharmacist to help you select the right medicine. Don't try it out on your own if you've never taken allergy medicine before. Another option is to consult an allergist for a prescription since prescription medications are usually more effective and stronger.

Today's medication also includes eye drops that contain anti-histamines and decongestants. They'll help dry out your eyes and relieve many of the symptoms caused by allergens like watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing, and itchiness. Consider using eye drops to help dry up the mucus and tears that plague you during allergy season.

There are a few relief options when it comes to watery eyes - you can opt for medications and eye drops that contain decongestants and anti-histamines. Decongestants will dry up the mucus in the nasal cavities and help you breathe while anti-histamines help block out allergens from affecting you. Eye drops will help clear the tears, mucus, and allergens from your eyes - so will washing your eyes out with water but eye drops may contain medication to help the process go by more quickly.

Another great idea is to swap out your contact lenses and try wearing your prescription eyeglasses. By swapping to your eyeglasses frames, you're allowing your eyes to breathe and keeping debris from getting trapped in your eyes.

Hillary Glaser is a social networking specialist and expert in cross-media promotion, currently working on promoting prescription eyeglasses. She is the Director of Marketing and Special Projects for GlassesUSA.com - the easiest way to buy glasses online, which now offers free shipping on all US orders with the code FreeShip10.

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