Spring is allergy season. One of the most annoying symptoms of spring allergies is eye irritation. Without proper treatment, eye allergies can put a real damper on your daily life and undermine your overall wellbeing.
In this post, your trusted optometrist at Opti-Care discusses the four common causes of eye allergies.
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Outdoor Allergens – One of the most common causes of eye allergies are outdoor allergens, such as pollen from grass, trees and weeds. Whenever you’re outside on a spring day, this is basically unavoidable as almost every form of plant life is releasing pollen. There are a few ways to get around this such as wearing eyeglasses and face masks when you go out or simply staying inside when pollen season reaches its peak.
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Indoor Allergens – Allergens can also be in your home in the form of pet dander, dust mites and mold. If you have pets, be sure to always wash your hands after touching them and clean up any fur they might have shed to avoid any allergic reactions. You can also use “mite-proof” bed covers to limit your exposure to dust mites and a dehumidifier to combat mold growth in your home to prevent allergies.
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Contact Lenses – There’s a possibility that you may be allergic to contact lenses. This can cause a reaction called giant papillary conjunctivitis, which makes your eyes become sensitive and red. Wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses if this is the case.
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Irritants – Irritants often take on the form of cigarette smoke, perfume, diesel exhaust and makeup. These can cause conjunctivitis, so it’s highly recommended you limit your exposure to these irritants if you’re sensitive to them.
How to Know If It’s Just Allergies
To know if your symptoms are due to allergies, there are certain questions you can ask yourself to be sure: do allergies run in your family? Are you allergic to certain animals? Do you need antihistamines to control sneezing and congestion? There are many more questions you can ask to be certain and if you answer “yes” to most of them, then it’s possible you have eye allergies. However, if feel your eyes getting progressively worse, especially when spring season is over, then it might be time to contact your eye doctor.
Turn to Opti-Care for your eye health needs. We are your leading provider of myopia control and eye exam services. Give us a call at (410) 600-3173 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve clients in Marriottsville, Westminster, MD, and other nearby areas.