What are eye allergies? How do they cause puffy eyes? What are the common symptoms and causes of allergic conjunctivitis? Get the answers to these questions and learn effective treatment options for managing eye allergies and reducing puffy eyes.

Understanding Eye Allergies: The Basics of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Eye allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, are a common condition that occurs when the eyes react to an irritant or allergen. When the eyes come into contact with an allergen, the body releases a substance called histamine to fight off the irritant. This reaction can cause the eyelids and conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye) to become red, swollen, and itchy. The eyes may also tear and feel a burning sensation. Unlike other forms of conjunctivitis, eye allergies are not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.

People with eye allergies often experience nasal allergies as well, with symptoms such as an itchy, stuffy nose and sneezing. Eye allergies can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors, including:

• Pollen from grass, trees, and ragweed
• Dust
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Smoke
• Certain perfumes, cosmetics, or medications

Some people may also react to specific foods or insect bites and stings. Eye allergies can also be inherited, as individuals with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop them.

Symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis: Recognizing the Signs

The most common symptoms of eye allergies include:

• Red, swollen, or itchy eyes
• Burning or tearing of the eyes
• Sensitivity to light

If accompanied by nasal allergies, individuals may also experience a stuffy, itchy nose, sneezing, headaches, and a sore or itchy throat, as well as coughing.

Diagnosing Allergic Conjunctivitis: The Role of Ophthalmologists

To provide proper treatment, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will examine the eyes to determine if the symptoms are caused by an eye infection or allergic conjunctivitis. They will typically use a slit-lamp microscope to check for signs of eye allergies, such as swollen blood vessels on the surface of the eye. The ophthalmologist will also discuss the patient’s medical history and family history of allergies.

In some cases, the ophthalmologist may perform a test to check for a specific type of white blood cell in the eye. This is done if the allergies are severe or if it is not clear that the patient has allergic conjunctivitis.

Treating Eye Allergies: Strategies for Reducing Puffy Eyes

The primary approach to treating eye allergies is to avoid or limit exposure to the substances that trigger the allergic reaction. However, identifying the specific allergen(s) responsible can be challenging. If necessary, an allergist can perform skin or blood tests to help pinpoint the culprit.

Some effective strategies for managing eye allergies and reducing puffy eyes include:

• Avoiding outdoor exposure during peak pollen times, such as the mid-morning and early evening
• Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning to reduce exposure to pollen and other allergens
• Maintaining a humidity level of 30-50% at home to prevent mold growth
• Using allergen-reducing covers for bedding and washing it frequently with hot water
• Keeping pets out of the house as much as possible if they are a source of allergies

Medication Options for Treating Puffy Eyes from Allergies

In addition to avoiding allergens, various medications can be used to manage eye allergies and reduce puffy eyes. These include:

• Antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines to block the release of histamine and reduce inflammation
• Decongestant eye drops to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling
• Mast cell stabilizer eye drops to prevent the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators
• Corticosteroid eye drops to reduce severe inflammation (used with caution due to potential side effects)

It’s important to consult with an ophthalmologist or allergy specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan, as individual responses to medications can vary.

The Link Between Nasal Allergies and Puffy Eyes

As mentioned earlier, many people with eye allergies also experience nasal allergies, with symptoms such as a stuffy, itchy nose and sneezing. This is because the eyes and nose are closely connected, and the same allergens that trigger nasal symptoms can also cause eye irritation and puffiness.

Treating the nasal symptoms can sometimes help alleviate the eye-related issues as well. Options for managing both nasal and eye allergies may include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroid sprays.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Puffy Eyes from Allergies

Most cases of puffy eyes due to allergies can be managed with the strategies outlined above. However, if the symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning signs, it’s important to seek medical attention. Symptoms that may warrant a visit to an ophthalmologist or allergy specialist include:

• Severe swelling, redness, or itchiness of the eyes
• Sensitivity to light or vision changes
• Symptoms that do not improve with over-the-counter treatments
• Symptoms that interfere with daily activities or sleep

By working with a healthcare professional, individuals can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to effectively manage their eye allergies and reduce the appearance of puffy eyes.

What Are Eye Allergies? – American Academy of Ophthalmology

Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, are quite common. They occur when the eyes react to something that irritates them (called an allergen). The eyes produce a substance called histamine to fight off the allergen. As a result, the eyelids and conjunctiva become red, swollen and itchy. The eyes can tear and burn. Unlike other kinds of conjunctivitis, eye allergies do not spread from person to person.

People who have eye allergies commonly have nasal allergies as well, with an itchy, stuffy nose and sneezing. It is usually a temporary condition associated with seasonal allergies.

You can get eye allergies from pet dander, dust, pollen, smoke, perfumes, or even foods. If you cannot avoid the cause, your allergies can be more severe. You can have significant burning and itching and even sensitivity to light.

What are symptoms of eye allergies?

The most common eye allergy symptoms include:

• red, swollen or itchy eyes
• burning or tearing of the eyes
• sensitivity to light 

If accompanied by nasal allergies, you may also have a stuffy, itchy nose and sneezing. You can also have a headache, an itchy or sore throat or coughing.

What causes eye allergies?

An allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts to an allergen that is normally harmless. When an allergen comes in contact with your eye, certain cells within your eye (called mast cells) release histamine and other substances to fight off the allergen. This reaction causes your eyes to become red, itchy and watery.

Allergens in the air — both indoors and out — cause many eye allergies. These allergens include:

• pollen from grass, trees and ragweed
• dust
• pet dander
• mold
• smoke

Allergic reactions to perfume, cosmetics or drugs can also cause the eyes to have an allergic response. Some people may be allergic to the preservative chemicals in lubricating eye drops or prescribed eye drops. They should use preservative-free drops instead if possible.

Sometimes, the eyes can react to other allergens that don’t necessarily come in direct contact with the eye. These can include specific foods or insect bites or stings.

Some people inherit eye allergies from their parents. You’re more likely to have allergies if both of your parents have them than if only one does.

Diagnosis

To provide proper treatment, your ophthalmologist will check to see if you have an eye infection or allergic conjunctivitis. They can usually diagnose allergic conjunctivitis easily. They will use a slit-lamp microscope to check for signs of eye allergies, such as swollen blood vessels on the surface of the eye. They will talk to you about your medical history and your family’s history of allergies.

Your ophthalmologist may test for a specific type of white blood cell in your eye. They will do this if your allergies are bad or if it is not clear that you have allergic conjunctivitis. They will gently scrape a tiny area of the conjunctiva and test this tissue for those white blood cells.

How are eye allergies treated?

The key to treating eye allergies is to avoid or limit contact with the substance causing the problem. But you have to know what to avoid. If necessary, an allergist can perform a skin or blood test to help identify the specific allergen(s).

Avoiding allergens

If you are allergic to pollen, avoid going outdoors as much as possible when pollen counts are highest. Pollen counts are usually highest in the mid-morning and early evening. Also, avoid being outdoors when wind blows pollens around. When you are outdoors, sunglasses or eyeglasses can help to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes.

Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning, both in your car and home. This will help lower your exposure to pollen and other irritants while you are inside. Don’t use window fans, as they draw the pollen and other allergens inside. Keep your air conditioning units clean so they won’t cycle allergens inside.

If mold is an allergy trigger for you, recognize that high humidity can cause molds to grow. Aim to keep the humidity level in your home around 30 to 50 percent. Clean high-humidity areas like basements, bathrooms and kitchens often. Consider using a dehumidifier in particularly humid or moist places such as a basement.

If dust at home brings on your allergic conjunctivitis, try to keep dust mites away from your skin. Pay special attention to your bedroom. Use allergen-reducing covers for your bedding and especially for your pillows. Wash your bedding frequently with hot water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

When cleaning floors, use a damp mop or rag instead of a dry dust mop or broom to trap the allergens.

If pets are a source of allergies for you, try to keep animals outside of the house as much as possible. It is particularly important not to allow a pet into your bedroom so that you can sleep in an allergen-free room. Consider hardwood or tile floors instead of carpeting, which traps the pet dander. Always wash your hands after touching a pet, and wash clothing that you have worn around pets.

Finally, always avoid rubbing your eyes, which only irritates them more.

Treating eye allergies with eye drops and medicine

Artificial tears

Artificial tear drops help relieve eye allergies temporarily by washing allergens from the eye. They also relieve dry, irritated eyes by adding moisture. You can use these drops, available without a prescription, up to six times a day. You may use them as often as you need to if they are preservative free.

Decongestants (with or without antihistamines)

Decongestants reduce redness in the eyes from allergies. They are available as over-the-counter eye drops. If the decongestant eye drops you choose include an antihistamine, they can relieve itchiness as well. You should not use these types of eye drops for more than two to three days. Longer-term use actually increases your irritating symptoms.

Oral antihistamines

Oral antihistamines may be somewhat helpful in relieving itchy eyes. But they can make eyes dry and even worsen eye allergy symptoms.

Antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizers

Eye drops with both an antihistamine to relieve itchiness and a mast-cell stabilizer help prevent eye allergies. You use them once or twice a day to relieve itching, redness, tearing and burning. How often you use them depends on which eye drop you choose.

Corticosteroids

Steroid eye drops can help treat chronic and severe eye allergy symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling. They should never be used without medical supervision due to possible serious side effects.

Immunotherapy shots

If symptoms are not controlled by allergen avoidance, eye drops or medicine, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be an option. With immunotherapy, you get shots containing tiny amounts of the allergen. The dose gradually increases over time to help your body become immune to the allergens.

Your doctor can tell you which treatments are best for you.

What Causes Puffy Eyes? – Cushelle

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One (or two) of the most common symptoms of an allergy is swollen eyes. If you’re experiencing this, you’ll want to know what causes the swelling and how to treat it. We’re here to help you and your puffy eyes! Here are the causes, treatments and preventative steps you can take to tackle this frustrating problem.

Swollen eyes from allergies: Causes

Sneezing, an itchy throat and puffy eyes cause irritation when you’re suffering with an allergy, but what specifically causes an allergic reaction and swollen eyes? It’s the body working to deal with irritants that are caused by foreign invaders, such as dust, pet dander or a pollen allergy. Swollen eyes from allergies are a reaction to the body’s release of chemicals, which serves to protect your eyes but also causes the itchiness and redness.

What to do for swollen eyes?

There are a number of over-the-counter eye allergy treatment options including eye drops and artificial tears. However, it’s good practice to consult a medical professional if things get really bad or aren’t improving. In order to alleviate the irritation yourself, give the following swollen eye allergy home remedy solutions a try:

• Cold compresses. A clean flannel soaked with cold water can help with inflammation and give you some relief from the sensation.
• Eye rinses. Splashing cold water on your eyes can help loosen allergens and flush them out.

You can use Cushelle Pocket Tissues for your swollen eye allergy treatment. Keep them with you at all times to help wipe away the tears and gently comfort your eyes.

Avoiding a pollen allergy

The best eye allergy home remedy is to avoid the problem in the first place. This is often quite straight forward when it comes to a pollen allergy. The following preventative steps may help you avoid it entirely:

• Check the forecast. One of the most effective ways of avoiding swollen eyes caused by allergies is to stay inside when the pollen count is high. A quick check of the weather forecast could save you a lot of irritation in the long run.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses. Of course, there’ll be some days you have to go out, regardless of whether the pollen count is high or not, and on these days sunglasses are your friend. Wear wraparound frames that cling to your face to help block allergens from making their way into your eyes.
• Keep your windows closed. Pollen can work its way into your home if you leave the windows open. Use fans in your home on hot days and crank up the air conditioning in your car, just resist the temptation to let air in via your windows.

If you have an allergic reaction, swollen eyes or other nasty symptoms there are various professional eye allergy treatment options you can try. These are important if your reaction is severe or long lasting. For more minor cases there are a range of eye allergy home remedy possibilities. Try one of the options above and see how you get on.

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Redness of the eyes in children

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Puffiness | Nestlé Health Science

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3. Edema

Edema occurs in the deep layers of the skin, often around the eyes and lips of the child. The swelling does not itch, but may be painful and irritable.

Why does my child have puffiness in the lips and eyes?
The most common causes of edema include food allergens such as Allergy to Cow’s Milk Proteins (CMP) . The child may also have puffy eyes or lips from other allergies, such as insect bites, drugs, or latex.

Analysis of symptoms

Can swelling be a manifestation of CMPA?
Edema is a typical symptom in infants with CMPA.
Children with CMPA usually have more than one symptom, and these symptoms can be very different from each other.

If you think your child is edema, it could be CMPA.
You may notice other symptoms (other than hives or swelling) that may affect other parts of your child’s body.

For a simple and easy way to check for typical symptoms associated with CMPA, you can use our Symptom Checker.
In any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about your child’s health, you should consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Other symptoms of cow’s milk protein allergy

ANAPHILACTIC SHOCK

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CRYING AND COLIC

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CONSTIPATION

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COUGH

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DIARRHEA

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ECZEMA

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GROWTH DISTURBANCE

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urticaria

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REFUSAL TO FOOD

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RASH

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REFLUX AND BUCK

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Runny nose and sneezing

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VOMITING

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HRIP

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IMPORTANT NOTE: : It is possible to continue breastfeeding if the infant is allergic to cow’s milk protein.