The Best Ways to Relieve Hay Fever Eyes
Post on 5th May 2022
The sight of spring blossoms and the prospect of sunshine and warmer weather are all signs that give us the feel-good factor. Unfortunately, they are also signs of hay fever season, which is a constant worry for a growing number of people.
Pollen allergies are back and with it come symptoms including itchy, swollen, red or watery eyes, sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, as well as headaches. While there’s no definitive cure, there are treatments and preventive measures you can take to ease these symptoms.
At Scrivens, with over 80 years of experience as a leading opticians in the UK, we’ve created a short guide to answer some of the most common questions about hay fever and how you can soothe hay fever eyes. Read on below to find out the ways to tackle these challenges.
How can I protect my eyes from hay fever?
If you don’t want to be confined indoors, it is not easy to avoid pollen, so here are some practical steps to minimise your exposure:
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after being outside to wash pollen off
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and don’t drive with the windows open
- Limit your time outdoors when possible and avoid going out in the mid-morning and early evening when the pollen count is highest
- When the pollen count is high or when cutting the lawn, avoid drying clothes outside since this might carry pollen into the house
- Check out the Met Office pollen forecast
- Close your windows at night
How to relieve hay fever symptoms?
If your hay fever isn’t too severe, over-the-counter medications such as antihistamine tablets, allergen barrier nasal sprays, and nasal gels may be enough to prevent and relieve symptoms.
While antihistamines may be helpful with a runny nose or sneezing, you may need prescription medications for worse symptoms. For example, Corticosteroid nasal sprays can help control inflammation of the nasal lining and itchy eyes, swollen sinuses, and sneezing.
Many people find that a mix of allergy medications provide the most relief, and It’s possible that you’ll have to try a few before settling on the perfect one. Don’t forget to consult your pharmacists, and if your symptoms don’t improve, contact your doctor.
What natural or home remedies are there to stop hay fever eyes?
While the above steps will help reduce your exposure and relieve symptoms, there’s also a range of natural remedies to make you feel better.
Adding local honey to your diet is an easy way to reduce hay fever symptoms. Honey is believed to be a natural remedy that could help you desensitise your body to pollen.
Chamomile tea also acts as an antioxidant and antihistamine. Chamomile can not only help with hay fever symptoms, but a dampened and refrigerated chamomile tea bag can be used as an eye compress for swollen, red eyes.
Make sure to avoid foods that contain histamine, such as pickles, cheese, nuts and cured meat or fish, alcohol and certain fruits, as they will worsen your symptoms.
Can I still wear my contact lenses when I have hay fever eyes?
Most contact lens wearers with hay fever should be able to wear their lenses throughout the hay fever season. However, if your eyes become very sore or become red, they should be taken out.
Also, try to avoid rubbing your eyes and make sure to wash your eyes regularly with cold water – it will make you feel better. Eye drops can also soothe hay fever eyes, and you may want to consider daily disposable lenses to increase comfort.
What you can do in the meantime
If you need help with your symptoms or advice on eye care, don’t hesitate to contact your local Scrivens branch. Our professional and friendly experts are always happy to assist you and answer any questions.
Did you find this blog helpful? If you are interested in learning more about eye care and discovering easy tips to protect your eyes, we have more blogs for you. We recommend starting from our tips on how to prevent computer eye strain to find the solution to a common yet troublesome situation.