How Common Are Eye Allergies?
Allergies affecting the eye are fairly common. The most common allergies are those related to pollen, particularly when the weather is warm and dry.
Eye Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms can include the following:
- Redness
- Itching
- Tearing
- Burning
- Stinging
- Watery discharge
These symptoms, though irritating, are not usually severe enough to need medical attention. Antihistamine decongestant eye drops can reduce these symptoms, as does rain and cooler weather, which decreases the amount of pollen in the air.
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Medications & Contact Lens Allergies
An increasing number of eye allergy cases are related to medications and contact lens wear. Also, animal hair and certain cosmetics, such as mascara, face creams, and eyebrow pencil, can cause allergies that affect the eye. Touching or rubbing eyes after handling nail polish, soaps, or chemicals may cause an allergic reaction. Some people have sensitivity to lip gloss and eye makeup.
Allergy symptoms are temporary and can eliminated by not having contact with the cosmetic or detergent that causes it.