No one likes allergies — that much is a given. They can range from a simple irritant to a life-threatening condition, affecting your eyes, sinuses, skin, and more. Allergies can show up unannounced due to all kinds of triggers, ranging from dust, hay fever, mold, pollen, and smoke. 

The downside? Seasonal irritants share similarities with eye infections, but you have to treat the two conditions differently. We’ll cover how to tell the difference between an eye infection and having red eyes from allergies and what to do about both.

Disclaimer: This article isn’t intended as professional medical advice. Contact your doctor or pharmacist to discuss your health concerns.

5 eye allergy symptoms

Allergies often cause eye discomfort. When you have an allergic reaction, you may display the following symptoms:

• Swollen or puffy skin around the eyes

• Dry, flaking, or scaling skin around the eyes

• Pink or bloodshot eyes from irritation

• Watery eyes that leak discharge

• Itchy eyes

This reaction is caused by histamine receptors in your body. When they detect the presence of an allergen, they produce an overactive immune response. One or both eyes can be affected by these allergy symptoms, depending on the allergen at hand.

On top of this, the frequency of your symptoms can vary:

• An acute allergic reaction means that your body is adjusting to external, seasonal allergies. The most common symptoms of this condition are watery eyes and a runny nose. 

• Chronic allergies happen year-round because of consistent exposure to irritants. Think dust mites, pet dander, harsh perfumes, and strong chemical scents. The most common symptoms of this variation are itchy, irritated eyes, and light sensitivity. If you notice an increased sensitivity to light, contact your doctor.

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What causes itchy eyes in the morning?

So you’ve established that you’re suffering from eye allergies. But if you want to solve the problem, you need to know the spark that lit the proverbial fuse. Be aware that if you have asthma, you’re at a higher risk of developing allergy symptoms in your eyes.  

We’ve compiled some of the most common causes.

1. Pollen

Eye symptoms from a pollen allergy are the most frequent. They’re so pervasive that people may avoid particular hotspot areas full of pollen during the spring and summer to prevent their allergic reactions from flaring up. 

Pollen allergies can range from a general sensitivity to flowers and trees to something more specific like hay fever. 

2. Smoke

If you live in an active wildfire zone or have spent any time around fire, you’ll know how debilitating smoke can be. Gritty, pervasive, and sometimes toxic, this caustic mix carries small, airborne particles of burnt material. As an allergen, it can cause severely dry eyes and irritate the senses.

3. Dust and dust mites

These irritants are made up of dead skin cells, pet dander, and dirt, inflaming the sinuses, causing runny noses, and irritating the eyes. Although an allergy to dust can be triggered by outside irritants, it’s more likely to arise inside the home, where dust can settle easily. Keep your home free of debris by implementing regular dusting and cleaning habits. 

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A few other familiar sources of eye allergens include:

• Animal dander (on its own)

• Mold

• Strong chemical scents from household cleaners and perfumes 

How to tell if it’s an eye allergy or an infection

It can be hard to determine whether your burning eyes are caused by an allergy or an infection. We’ve put together a quick chart to help you tell the difference between the two. 

In severe cases, medical intervention from your doctor or an ophthalmologist may be necessary. 

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Eye health tips:

• Some of the most common eye infections you can experience are pink eye (conjunctivitis) or styes. You can also experience allergic conjunctivitis, which has similar symptoms but is triggered by allergens.

• While both allergies and eye infections can cause a watery discharge, its texture will indicate what kind of infection you’re dealing with. Thick discharge suggests a bacterial infection, while mucus-like fluid means it’s viral.

• Eye infections are often caused by improperly cleaned contact lenses or bacteria trapped beneath. Never swim or shower with your contacts in, and avoid sleeping in them at all costs.

• Eye infections can also be caused by chemical exposure. Sometimes, they can be a side-effect of a more significant viral condition.

• Eye infections can be highly contagious. Seasonal allergies are not. 

How to treat eye allergies or infections

Although these two conditions have overlapping symptoms, you treat them differently. 

For eye allergies:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy eye drops, artificial tears, and other antihistamines like Afrin, Benadryl, and Claritin will help alleviate symptoms. 

• Allergy shots can help you build up resistance through immunotherapy over time.

• When you’re using OTC medication to treat your allergy symptoms, always follow the instructions on the box. For example, Benadryl cannot be taken daily, and some decongestants adversely affect blood pressure. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any pre-existing conditions, we recommend consulting a doctor before taking any new medications. 

• You can find some short-term relief from your allergy symptoms by using warm or cool compresses. Use a warm compress to loosen up congestion and cold compresses to reduce itching and swelling around the eyes.

For eye infections:

• If you catch an infection in its early stages, you can sometimes find OTC eye medication to treat it at the discretion of your doctor or pharmacist. 

• It’s best to seek medical advice when you have an eye infection. Your doctor can prescribe steroid eye drops or oral antihistamines to clear up the infection. Your symptoms may worsen if you ignore their advice and try to treat it yourself.

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How to protect yourself from eye allergies and infections

Fortunately, you’ll find some easy ways to avoid or relieve red eyes and other symptoms.

1. Reduce your exposure

During peak pollen season, close your windows, use internal air, and install a heavy-duty air filtration system to keep outside irritants away. Although you may have watery eyes or coughing fit outside of the house, inside your living space, your eye allergy symptoms should be manageable.

2. Keep your home dust-free

Regularly dust your house from top to bottom. It’s a top reason for allergy symptoms and one of the easiest to control — if you don’t mind a little elbow grease.

3. Wash your hands

Washing your hands works well for preventing germs on your hands from passing to your face. It keeps your immune system in check (as we know from the pandemic). By frequently washing your hands after using the restroom, eating in a public area, or touching hard surfaces, you can reduce the risk of bacterial exposure.

4. Choose unscented options

Use unscented products if you’re sensitive to chemical odors, perfumes, or household cleaners. Any irritant coming into contact with your eyes could cause an allergic reaction.

5. Clean your contact lenses

Always clean your lenses with proper contact lens solution when you take them out at night. Since they sit directly on the eyeball, a dirty contact lens carries a high risk of contaminants. 

Get help protecting your eyes

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