How to find relief from allergy-induced red eyes

Get to the bottom of your discomfort and find ways to get some much-needed relief.

In this article:

• Why are my eyes red?
• How to tell the difference between an allergy and an eye infection
• How to prevent red eyes from allergies
• How to get rid of red eyes

If trees and plants are blooming, pollen is in the air — and, too often, in your eyes. For allergy sufferers, this fine powder released by plants can wreak havoc on your eyes (and your nose and throat, too). Other airborne allergens, such as dust mites, mold and pet dander, can cause similar distress, leaving your eyes teary, stinging and swollen.

But it’s important to consider that there are different red eye causes — red, irritated eyes can also be a symptom of another issue, like an eye infection from a virus or bacteria. How you treat red eyes depends on the cause, so it’s important to make sure your itchy eyes are allergy induced before using allergy relief treatments.

Why are my eyes red?

Red eyes happen when tiny blood vessels in your eyes widen and become swollen, causing that classic bloodshot look, according to board-certified allergist John James, MD, a medical specialist and spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Redness, swelling and itching can occur when the tissue that lines the inside of your eyelid and outside of your eyeball (the conjunctiva) becomes inflamed. If allergies are the cause, typically both eyes are involved — not just one.

Other possible causes of red eyes include:

• Dry eye, which is when you are not making enough tears to properly lubricate your eyes
• Eye infections (sometimes called “conjunctivitis” or “pink eye”)
• Broken blood vessels from a big sneeze, heavy lifting or rubbing your eyes too hard
• Irritation from contact lenses, chlorine, dust, perfume, smoke or other irritants
• A scratched eye (corneal abrasion)
• Glaucoma (a group of eye conditions that affect the optic nerve)

How to tell the difference between an allergy and an eye infection

It’s not always easy to know what’s affecting your eyes, says Dr. James. Both allergic red eyes and eye infections are common issues and both are called “conjunctivitis.” (There are actually five forms of conjunctivitis, each one named after its causative agent: allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, toxic conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis and nonspecific conjunctivitis — the last being a catch-all term for causes not laid out in the first four.)

If you have any questions or your allergic conjunctivitis symptoms don’t resolve within a few days, you should contact your doctor. Those who experience eye pain or vision issues should seek immediate medical attention.

Compare the following red eye symptoms to help understand whether you’re suffering from allergies or an infection like pink eye.

Allergic red eyes

• Affects both eyes
• Often lasts for several weeks
• Eyes are usually itchy
• Sometimes accompanied by sneezing and runny nose
• Feeling weak and tired
• Most likely to occur during allergy season (for those with pollen allergies)
• Not contagious

Eye infections

• Affects one eye first but can spread to the other
• Lasts for a few days to a week
• Eyes are not usually itchy
• Accompanied by fever and aches
• Feeling weak and tired
• Can happen any time of year
• Contagious

How to prevent red eyes from allergies

Avoiding triggers can be key. For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, experts recommend staying indoors during high-pollen times, like early morning and late afternoon. They also recommend keeping your windows closed and using air conditioning or central heating when possible so that the air in your home and car is filtered. “Sunglasses can also help keep pollen out of your eyes,” says Mitchell Grayson, MD, chair of AAFA’s Medical Scientific Council.

Indoor allergy sufferers may want to opt for hard floors but if you like carpet, use only low-pile types and try to stick to small area rugs that you can throw in the wash. AAFA also recommends vacuuming regularly, using allergy-proof covers on mattresses and pillows (like a PureCare Allergen Proof Total Encasement mattress protector and PureCare Allergen Proof pillow protector), keeping pets out of the bedroom and considering an air filtration system that meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, like a Crane HEPA air purifier.

If you’re currently experiencing the symptoms of allergy-induced red eyes, cool compresses can be soothing. If you need prescription eyewear, use contact lenses for only a few hours at a time, keep your contact lenses and case clean, change contact lens solution daily, or switch to glasses, if possible.

How to get rid of red eyes

When it comes to treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, there are several over-the-counter medications that may help to provide relief, says Dr. James. Some of the best eye drops for red eyes include antihistamine eye drops, like Pataday Once Daily Relief extra strength eye drops, Zaditor eye drops and CVS Health eye itch relief eye drops, that work by blocking the effects of histamine, the chemical released by your body that causes allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy and watery eyes.

Antihistamine-and-vasoconstrictor combination eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis, like Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A eye drops, can also help relieve redness by both blocking histamine effects and narrowing or constricting the blood vessels in the eyes. But Dr. James says they should be used with caution and only temporarily, because overusing them can cause more redness and irritation of the eyes.

While it might seem surprising, nasal sprays can help eyes, too. Steroid sprays, like Flonase non-drowsy allergy medicine and Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief spray, can be very effective in treating nasal allergies and may also help itchy, watery eyes present with allergic conjunctivitis.

If these treatments or prescription medications don’t give you relief, allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) could be considered after consultation with a board-certified allergy specialist, says Dr. James. This is a long-term treatment option that can give relief to allergy sufferers when other treatments are not effective in controlling symptoms.

*This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements, and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.