Allergies not only cause sinus and chest congestion, but an allergic reaction to pollen, dander or other allergens may also cause eye symptoms. You may experience irritation, itching and tearing, and your eyelids could swell. To help swollen lids, your doctor may recommend wearing compresses. Knowing when to use hot or cold compresses by considering your symptoms may help you reduce swelling and find relief from the eye symptoms associated with the allergic reaction.
Cool
You may find that a cool compress helps relieve inflammation in your eyelids. Dampen a clean cloth with cool water and hold this against your eyes for five minutes. During the day, repeat the application as needed. The cool compress will not provide an immediate reduction in eyelid swelling, but this may hasten the process.
Warm
A warm compress will not offer much relief for swelling, but the damp warmth may help if you have discharge that dries on your eyelids. The discharge may "glue" your eyelids closed during the night, or you may see flakes build up in your eyelashes. The dried bits of matter may fall onto your eye's surface and cause irritation. To make a warm compress, simply run a clean cloth under warm water and hold against the affected eye until the matter loosens. Use the cloth to gently wipe away discharge, but don't rub your eyes roughly, because this may irritate the surface.
Other Treatment
If a cool compress does not help relieve your eyelids' swelling, your doctor may recommend that you take an allergy medication. Over-the-counter medications may help, but your doctor may prescribe a medication depending on your condition's severity. Eye drops -- both over-the-counter and prescription drops -- may also help relieve your allergy eye symptoms.
Considerations
Eyelid swelling may stem from causes other than allergies, and these conditions include an eye infection or a stye. If you notice swelling, contact your doctor to determine your condition's cause and find the appropriate treatment. Swelling that worsens or accompanies vision changes, severe pain or swelling on other parts of the face requires immediate medical attention.
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