You can typically treat swollen eyes from allergies with antihistamines, cold compresses, and eye drops. If you have severe symptoms, a healthcare provider might advise allergy shots.
Some people can develop swollen eyes from allergies. Allergic conjunctivitis, or eye allergies, happens if the membrane that covers your eye and inner eyelid becomes itchy, red, and swollen. These symptoms are an allergic reaction to a harmless substance, such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common health concern you can typically treat at home. Read on to learn about swollen eyes from allergies, including symptoms, causes, treatments, and more.
8 Natural Remedies for Allergies
Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms include:
- A gritty feeling in your eyes
- Burning
- Itching
- Light sensitivity
- Redness
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Watery eyes
You might also have allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, clogged ears, coughing, and sneezing. These symptoms are typically worse if outdoor allergens (e.g., pollen) bother you more than indoor allergens (e.g., dust mites and pet dander).
Causes
Allergens trigger allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. Some of the most common allergens include dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen.
Your body releases the chemical histamine when your eyes come into contact with an allergen. The blood vessels in the membranes that cover the fronts of your eyes and line the inside of your eyelids, or conjunctiva, swell.
Risk Factors
You might be likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis if someone in your family has it. Allergic conjunctivitis has also been linked to other allergy-related conditions, such as:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema), or a skin condition that causes itchy, scaly rashes
- Dry eye syndrome
The goal of treatment is to reduce eyelid swelling, itching, redness, and other symptoms. Avoiding allergens is one of the best ways to treat allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. You'll want to limit doing outdoor tasks, for example, if you are allergic to pollen and it's dry and windy. There are typically high levels of pollen in these weather conditions.
Other ways to treat swollen eyes from allergies include:
- Antihistamines: These medications reduce the effects of histamine, such as itchy and watery eyes. Pills, capsules, liquids, eye drops, and more types of antihistamines are available over the counter.
- Cold compress: Applying a cool compress to your eyes helps reduce painful swelling.
- Eye drops: These include decongestant, lubricating, and mild eye steroid drops. Decongestant eye drops can make your eyes dry, so don't use them for more than five days or if you wear contact lenses. Healthcare providers usually reserve mild eye steroid drops for severe cases and prescribe them with an antihistamine.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots): A healthcare provider will inject a small amount of allergens to help build up your resistance to them. This treatment usually takes three to five years before it's fully effective.
You may consider consulting an allergist if your eyes itch, swell, and water frequently, and you don't know what's causing your symptoms. They can help identify what you are allergic to and predict when your symptoms might worsen.
Is Allergic Conjunctivitis Contagious?
Eye allergies are not contagious, unlike other types of conjunctivitis like bacterial and viral pink eye. You can still take some steps to prevent allergens from irritating your eyes, such as:
- Keep pets out of your bedroom if you are allergic to their dander
- Stay indoors if it's hot, dry, and windy if you're allergic to pollen. Make sure to keep the windows up to avoid high pollen levels.
- Use lubricating eye drops after being outside to get rid of allergens from your eyes
- Vacuum your home with a HEPA filter to remove dust
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses while outdoors
Allergic conjunctivitis typically clears up after reducing exposure to allergens. Talk to a healthcare provider if your symptoms don't go away with home remedies.
Complications generally do not occur, but don't hesitate to contact a healthcare provider if you have:
- Eye pain that does not go away or worsens
- Headache
- Redness and swelling of the eyelids or the skin around your eyes
- Vision changes
When Is the Best Time To Take Allergy Medicine?
A Quick Review
You might have allergic conjunctivitis if you have swollen eyes after coming into contact with an allergen, such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen. Antihistamines, cold compresses, and eye drops can typically treat swollen eyes from allergies.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms that don't go away with home remedies or worsen. You might need allergy shots if you have severe symptoms.
