An allergic reaction to eyeglass cleaner can startle you with the development of adverse reactions. Because eyeglass cleaner is sprayed on your glasses, the product creates a mist that can be inhaled through your nose and enter you lungs. If you’re allergic to one or more of the ingredients in eyeglass cleaner, you may develop minor to severe symptoms. Most eyeglass cleaner ingredients vary between brands. Take the cleaner that triggered an allergic reaction with you when you visit your doctor for treatment.
Allergic Reaction
When you have an allergy, your immune system is hypersensitive to certain substances that may otherwise be harmless. Your body can overreact to any substance that it mistakes as a dangerous substance, called an allergen. When the allergen enters the body or touches the skin, your immune system cells trigger a chemical chain reaction in the body to protect the body. Various chemicals are created, such as immunoglobulin E antibodies and histamine, according to MedlinePlus. Theses chemicals attempt to fight against the allergen, but cause inflammation throughout the body.
Respiratory Reactions
An allergic reaction to eyeglass cleaner may affect more than one system in your body. The most common places that may develop an allergic reaction include the sinuses, lungs, eyes and skin. If you inhale the substance into your lungs, your respiratory system may respond with inflammation and swelling in your airways and nasal passages. This swelling can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and tightness. If your sinuses become inflamed, you may develop congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, sinus headaches and facial pressure.
Allergic Skin Conditions
If you notice redness and inflammation of the skin around the area of your face where your eyeglasses touch the skin, you may have allergic contact dermatitis. This skin condition causes a localized allergic reaction that causes the release of histamine that may cause redness, small bumps and itchiness. Other common skin rashes that may be triggered by contact with eyeglass cleaner are hives and eczema. Hives form in clusters of welts that are various shapes and sizes and are extremely itchy. Eczema causes extremely dry patches of skin to form and may trigger fluid-filled bumps that can weep and crust over, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Considerations
Your doctor will recommend allergy testing to determine the exact ingredient in the eyeglass cleaner that triggers an allergic reaction in your body. If you have sensitive skin, a rash may not be the result of an allergy but common irritation caused by exposure to harsh chemicals.
