Itchy, swollen eyes are a common symptom of seasonal allergies such as hay fever. Dust, pollen and other outdoor irritants cause eye and nose discomfort as your immune system tries to fight them off. Chronic allergy problems should be examined by your physician, especially when at-home and over-the-counter treatments fail to produce relief. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the best treatment for itchy, watery eyes is to avoid allergy triggers year round. Although this may not be possible with outdoor allergies, extra precaution and treatment can provide the peace of mind that you need.
Step 1
Take an over-the-counter antihistamine following dosing instructions. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine production in your body, according to MayoClinic.com, suppressing your immune system's reaction. Opt for antihistamines that offer relief for daytime and nighttime eye puffiness and watering.
Step 2
Breathe in nasal sprays in over-the-counter or prescription versions. Over-the-counter nasal sprays contain saline, or salt water, to dry out overproductive sinuses to provide eye relief. Prescription sprays may contain cortisteroids to eliminate inflammation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 3
Plug in a dehumidifier in your home, especially your bedroom, to keep the air from becoming moist and spores and fungus from breeding, suggests MayoClinic.com. Also making sure that you have a HEPA filter in your home to filter and circulate clean air.
Step 4
Ingest a daily butterbur supplement labeled UPA free. UPA free means that all potential toxins have been removed during processing according to MayoClinic.com. It is important to use the product exactly as directed on the label.
Step 5
Apply an over-the-counter eye drop to each eye. Eye drops contain antihistamines or cortisteroids to relieve inflammation and itching. According to MayoClinic.com, eye drops are also available through prescription and are effective at providing eye allergy relief.
Things You'll Need
- Antihistamine
- Nasal spray
- Dehumidifier
- UPA-free butterbur supplements
- Eye drops
References
- MayoClinic.com: Hay Fever: Treatmentst and Drugs
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Allergies: Treatment
- MayoClinic.com: Hay Fever: Alternative Remedies
