Treating swollen eyes

Treating swollen eyes

Treating swollen eyes

Most people love the summer. Great weather, beautiful sunshine, nature in full bloom. What’s not to love? Well, for some of us, the summer weather can bring a season of allergies, with uncomfortable symptoms like sore throats, blocked noses, and swollen eyes.

As summer appears to be coming into full swing, it’s important to know how to deal with allergy symptoms. When it comes to the eyes, it can range from mild irritation to severe vision impairment. During the summer, hay fever sufferers are more likely to become triggered by things like pollen. Though other allergies like dust, pet dander, and perfume can also cause severe eye reactions.

Symptoms

The most common form of eye allergy is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (or SAC). The typical symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling. These symptoms often come alongside the common symptoms associated with hay fever, such as sneezing and nasal congestion.

If you have suffered an allergic reaction and you have swollen eyes, the first step you should take is to wash your face. By doing this, you’ll be getting rid of any allergens that are still stuck to your skin. Always be sure to cleanse yourself of allergens before treating symptoms. Any lingering allergens could worsen your reaction or cause it to return following treatment.

Next step

Once you’re confident that you’re free of allergens, rinse out your eyes. Use a little bit of water to rinse allergens from the inside of your eyes to prevent further swelling. After rinsing, use a wet flannel or towel, or even a frozen bag of vegetables, to reduce the swelling. Lie down and lay your cold aid over your eyes and let the cool temperatures soothe your symptoms. They’ll even relieve any itchiness.

If your cold aids don’t provide much help there are over-the-counter remedies that could work, but it’s always better to determine the root of the problem before relying on long-term remedies. Prevention does help so it pays to stay vigilant during the summer months.

When pollen counts reach their peak, try to stay indoors as much as you can. Wearing glasses or sunglasses can minimise pollen exposure around your eyes. When indoors, use wet cloths to dust surfaces as opposed to dry-dusting, and use mite-proof covers for bedding. While these can be effective, they aren’t reliable solutions. Immunotherapy could be a solution for an allergy-free future.

The best way to avoid swollen eyes and symptoms of an allergic reaction is to avoid the triggering substances. If you don’t know what these substances are, it’s best to book an allergy test to determine your triggers to allow you to live stress-free and safe. At The London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we test for a selection of more than 600 allergens when you book an appointment with one of our consultants.

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