Eye Health: How to Fight Fall Allergies

Ah, fall. Season of leaf piles, hazy sunsets, and sweaters. The perfect time of year for long strolls around the neighborhood, when the air smells faintly of woodsmoke and the streets are ablaze with flaming hues of red, orange, and yellow. Is there any prettier time of year?
But fall isn’t all autumnal splendor: if you’re one of the many people who suffer from fall allergies, autumn might feel like a very different kind of season. While others are out sipping hot cocoa and visiting pumpkin patches, you might find yourself scratching helplessly at your eyes and fighting off the sniffles. If this sounds like you, here are a few steps you can take to help stave off fall allergies and properly enjoy the season.

What are fall allergies?

Most people tend to associate allergies with the spring, but the truth is that every season has its allergens. In fall, the likeliest culprit is ragweed, which releases pollen from August to November. Other fall allergens include sagebrush, cocklebur, and pigweed. That’s not all, though, since there are indoor allergens, like dust mites and mold, to contend with as well.

How allergies might affect your eyes

If you suffer from allergies, you’re likely very familiar with the stuffy nose and itchy throat that accompanies a flareup. But allergies can be just as tough on our eyes, too: if you have allergies, you might notice any number of optical discomforts, ranging from mild discomfort to a burning sensation. You see, when an allergen comes in contact with your eye, the cells there may respond by releasing histamine, which can cause your eyes to become itchy and red¹. And while this isn’t necessarily a medical emergency, it can lead to long periods of discomfort, which is hardly fun!

 How to protect your eyes from allergies

 If you suddenly notice a spike in eye discomfort, your first order of business should be to visit your eye doctor, so that you can rule out any serious medical conditions. Don’t have an eye doctor? We’ve got you covered. If it turns out that you are dealing with allergies, here are a few tactics you can employ to try and stave off discomfort.

• Try swapping your contacts for glasses. Though contacts are an increasingly popular eyewear choice for most people, glasses might actually be the better option when it comes to allergies, since they help your eyes stay lubricated and may keep annoying allergens from reaching them. If you don’t wear prescription frames regularly, a pair of sunglasses can work well, too. Don’t have any glasses? Check out our selection.
• Keep your windows closed. We know: who doesn’t like the crisp, woody smell of the wind in fall? But that lovely breeze can also carry allergens into your house. So close those windows and crank up the air purifier.
• Use artificial tears or eye drops. This is especially important if you suffer from dry or itchy eyes. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, an allergist might even recommend prescription eyedrops.
• Stop touching your eyes! This might seem like a particularly difficult recommendation if your eyes are especially itchy—but your hands might transfer pollen from things they’ve touched straight to your eyes. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, too, so you can ensure they’re not carrying around any extra irritants.
• Avoid peak pollen times. Morning and early evening are the heaviest times of day for pollen, so try to stay indoors during these times.
• Mop the floor instead of sweeping. Cleaning floors and counters with wet rags or a mop is less likely to kick up irritants into the air—plus, you get a nice, clean floor for your efforts!
• Wash your sheets frequently, to ensure that they aren’t accumulating irritants. If you suffer from dust mite allergies, consider investing in “mite proof” covers for your linens and mattress.

Fall doesn’t need to be a downer. Follow these tips and you’ll have an easier time enjoying all the fall has to offer.

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Information received through VSP Vision Care's social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

1. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/eye-allergy/