Spring brings the revival of vibrant flowering plants and an increase in pollen and plant-related allergies. Seasonal allergies are also called allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Symptoms affect the eyes of an estimated 40–60% of allergy-prone individuals. Eye-related allergic reactions range from mild discomfort to severe cases that may impair visual function, significantly impacting quality of life. Common symptoms include red, itchy eyes, swollen sinuses, and excessive tearing. Allergic rhinitis is your immune system trying to protect you by reacting to a foreign substance. However, allergens such as pollen are not inherently harmful. Therefore, hay fever is an immune system overreaction that can make you feel miserable.
At Natural Eye Care, we want you to understand how seasonal allergies affect the eyes. And, what can you do about it?
Seasonal Allergies Can Cause Red Eyes
The surface of the eyes is covered in blood vessels that expand when they are irritated or infected. Allergy sufferers can have chronic red eyes.
Allergic conjunctivitis is a localized allergic condition associated frequently with rhinitis. The term ‘allergic conjunctivitis’ refers to a collection of disorders that affect the lid, conjunctiva and/or cornea.
Note: Bloodshot eyes can have many causes. Check with your doctor if the whites of your eyes are red or have red blotches or streaks.
Dry Eyes and Seasonal Allergies
Ocular allergies and dry eye disease (DED) are common and often interconnected conditions affecting the ocular surface. Research increasingly highlights ocular allergy as a risk factor for DED. Severe cases may present as keratoconjunctivitis, leading to tear film instability, ocular surface inflammation, damage, and neurosensory dysfunction.
Sinus Inflammation
Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinus tissues, can cause symptoms such as pain around the eyes, eyelid swelling, nasal congestion, facial pain, and mucus production. It is often triggered by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, or by seasonal allergies. Blocked sinuses can lead to infection, with the maxillary sinuses (below the eyes) being the most commonly affected, causing pain in the cheeks and below the eyes.
In rare cases, sinus infections can spread to surrounding areas:
- Periorbital Cellulitis (Preseptal Cellulitis): Infection of the tissues around the eye, including the eyelid.
- Orbital Cellulitis: Infection affecting the eyeball and surrounding tissues, though periorbital cellulitis cannot progress into orbital cellulitis due to a protective fibrous barrier around the eyeball.
If you experience symptoms of a sinus infection, consult your doctor.
How to Deal with Seasonal Allergies
Using a Neti Pot for Seasonal Allergy Sinus Symptoms
A neti pot can help prevent or alleviate sinus infections. Follow these steps:
- Start with a clean, dry neti pot. Add distilled water and baking soda, or saline solution.
- Bend over the sink. Then, look straight down. Turn your head to a 45-degree angle.
- Gently press the spout into the upper nostril, ensuring a seal without touching the septum. Breathe through your mouth and pour water into your nostril. Adjust your head to allow water to flow out of the lower nostril.
- If discomfort occurs, adding more salt or baking soda can help. Most people become accustomed to the process after a few uses.
Always follow the package instructions and maintain proper hygiene when using a neti pot. Only use distilled water, not tap water.
Herbs That Help Reduce Inflammation
Natural ways to help reduce inflammation include the following:
- Vitamin C, D3, and Bioflavonoids
- Turmeric, Nettle, and Butterbur
- Ginger, Ginseng, Quercetin and Bromelain
- Green Tea and Jasmine Tea
- Zinc and Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Herbs, including ginger, rosemary, chamomile, and black pepper
Foods That Help Reduce Inflammation
Some foods with anti-inflammatory properties include: olive oil, certain berries, fruit, vegetables (particularly green, leafy vegetables), spices, and fish. Avoid or limit acidic foods, which promote inflammation, including: refined carbohydrates, all sugars, dairy products, meat, and many vegetable oils. Avoid all fried food.
For more information on an anti-inflammatory diet, see our Alkalizing Food Chart.
Medications for Seasonal Allergies
Visit your doctor before starting any medications for hay fever. Drug stores often have a large selection of allergy medications and eye drops on their shelves. However, your doctor can recommend an allergy medication regimen appropriate for you. If your problems are serious, the doctor might send you to an Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) specialist. Allergy testing can be helpful because plants that you are allergic to release pollen only during certain months of the year. You might only need allergy medicine when ragweed is in season, for example.
Supplements and Eyedrops
Allergy Combo Package – Great combination of two eyedrops and one supplement to help reduce the eye and sinus symptoms often associated with seasonal allergies. Specially designed for summer and spring-related allergies. Save 10% versus purchasing the products separately. Includes Eyebright Drops with MSM, Optase Allegro (allergy) Dry Eyedrops, and Daily Immune Essentials (Allergy) Summer Blend Capsules.
Eyebright (Eyebrite) Drops (with MSM) 1oz
Optase Allegro (allergy) Dry Eyedrops
Dr. Grossman’s Tired Eyes and Fatigue Formula 2oz Tincture
Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Combination 2oz (60ml)
Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Formula with Astaxanthin – 90 vcaps
Dr. Grossman’s Premium Turmeric Vcaps (Organic)
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 2400 5 fl oz
Dr. Grossman’s Vision Wellness Package (2-month supply)
Visual Detox Homeopathic Drops 2oz
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