Spring Allergy Tips for Healthy Eyes

As many people welcome spring with excitement, others dread it. It’s because they know they have to deal with swollen, itchy eyes for months. Nothing is possibly more bothersome than the feeling as if there’s something in your eye. If your eyes are red, burning, and watery, but you don’t see anything trapped in them, the discomfort could be due to allergies. Most symptoms occur independently. But they’re often accompanied by sneezing or runny nose. Many things can trigger an eye allergy, including outdoor allergens like pollens from trees, grass, and weeds. Protect your eyes with these top spring allergy tips:

Avoid Triggers. We won’t urge you to stay inside for the entire spring season. But it would help to evade conditions that can potentially trigger your eye allergies, especially when the pollen count is at its peak. As much as possible, avoid hikes or going out in nature like parks and botanical gardens. If you must go to these areas, ensure that you take over-the-counter or prescription allergy relief medicine. Other ways of avoiding irritants include keeping your windows closed and cleaning your house more frequently. It will also help if you avoid soft furnishings and window fans that will draw irritants into your home.

Protect Your Eyes. Always cover your eyes with sunglasses or goggles when outdoors. This is especially crucial when it’s a windy day so that you can protect your eyes. The purpose is to reduce the risk of irritants like pollen having direct contact with your eyes. If you’re used to wearing contact lenses, it’s best to switch to eyeglasses for now. Allergens can collect on the surface of your contacts and make your allergies even more irritating.

Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C. Allergens trigger histamine production in response to allergic and inflammatory reactions. This compound released by your cells causes seasonal allergy symptoms. Eating foods rich in vitamin C help prevent histamine formation. It prevents infections, shortens illness duration, and builds up your immune system. Some of the common sources of vitamin C are kiwis, oranges, guavas, strawberries, and grapefruits. You can also find them in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and red peppers.

Wash Your Hands and Face More Frequently. A lot of eye allergy symptoms are caused by floating airborne allergens that land on your eyes. Apart from these irritants, your eyes could also be exposed to allergens commonly transferred from your skin or hair. So, experts highly recommend that you wash your hands and face more often in springtime. This step should help minimize allergen concentration on your skin. Another way to reduce allergen exposure is by pinning back strands of hair covering your face at eye height.

Have you been experiencing eye allergy symptoms? Schedule your consultation today with one of our eye doctors at the Vision Center South location nearest you. Call any of our clinics in Enterprise, and Dothan, Alabama, to book your appointment. We also have an office in Marianna, Florida, for your eye and vision health needs.