We love spring time because of the warmer temperatures, brighter skies, and beautiful flowers. For many people, however, spring also brings the dreaded return of hay fever. If you’re among the 1 in 5 individuals suffering from this condition, fear not. In this post, we’ll provide some helpful tips on protecting your eyes so you can enjoy the spring hay fever free.
What Is Hay Fever?
Hay fever is an allergic condition that results from exposure to an allergen like pollen. When pollen comes into contact with the body, the immune system mistakenly identifies it as harmful. In an attempt to protect the body, it releases antibodies into the bloodstream. We recognise this inflammatory response as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, and irritated eyes.
How Does Hay Fever Affect The Eyes?
When pollen irritates the surface tissues of the eyes, the body releases histamine in an act of self-defence. This explains why one of the prime symptoms of hay fever is sore and itchy eyes. The body may also attempt to flush the pollen out which is why many people with hay fever experience watery eyes. If you’re experiencing hay fever and red eyes, we encourage you to avoid scratching or rubbing your eyes as much as possible, as this will only lead to more irritation. In more severe cases, hay fever may also lead to blurred vision which can persist for longer periods of time.
Best Hay Fever Remedies for Your Eyes
To protect your eyes from hay fever, we suggest shielding your eyes by wearing sunglasses outdoors.
Eye drops containing antihistamine are also available. These should reduce the inflammation in your eyes and relieve the itching.
Try to avoid wearing contact lenses as contacts can aggravate symptoms by trapping pollen against the surface of your eyes.
If pollen counts are high, keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Finally, be sure to clean clothes and surfaces more regularly to make sure they’re free from pollen.
If hay fever or ocular allergies are causing you discomfort and preventing you from enjoying the spring season, book your eye appointment today. We’d be more than happy to help you find the best eye drops for allergies or recommend over-the-counter products such as antihistamine tablets, eye washes, or steroid eye drops for more severe cases.