Newsblurb: Tips for eye allergy season

This article had a couple of tips that were new to me, such as the one about shampooing your hair at night. Hm.

Allergy Alert: For Your Eyes Only!
Fox News, May 6

WASH WISELY

First, use a tear-free or “baby” shampoo to irrigate gently around your closed eyelids when bathing in the morning. This will wash away unwanted airborne pollens, mold spores and pollutants. Always check with your eye care provider if you have eye diseases such as dry-eye syndrome or other problems in which you are receiving ongoing treatment.

Shampoo your hair at night after pollens have accumulated to reduce the transfer to your pillow and bed sheets and break “the cycle” allowing you to feel better in the morning.

BLOCK YOUR EYES!

Wear BIG sunglasses to block the entry of allergens into the eyes!

COSMETIC OR SUNSCREEN IRRITANTS

Be aware that localized application of creams, make- up and sunscreen can be irritating.

MAYBE IT’S NOT AN ALLERGY!

Make sure you do not have an infection or “dry-eye syndrome” which is handled much differently and would require a visit to your eye care provider. Find out what their recommendation is for specific allergy and/or eye medication.

AVOID CROSS REACTIONS

Take a look at the foods you are eating. Some of them may cross-react with the airborne seasonal pollens, triggering a cross-reaction. You could end up with worse allergy symptoms that affect your eyes, nose and throat.

About one-third of those who suffer from seasonal allergies may experience “oral allergy syndrome” when eating apples, pears, hazelnuts, carrots and almonds (to name a few). The body perceives these foods as an allergy invader, therefore causing histamines and other defender substances to cause itchy, watery eyes, as well as nasal and throat itchiness. This occurs more so during the seasonal peak levels of pollens.