Eye drops and hay fever season – what’s the best choice? 

Summertime should be fun, but for many people it’s a time of trouble and stress. Don’t let itchy, painful eyes ruin your holidays.

Hay fever is an extremely common condition affecting over 16 million people in the UK[1]. The allergic reaction is caused by exposure to allergens, meaning the condition can be set off by exposure to pollen, pet dander, mould, and even insects.[2] When these allergens enter the body, it responds by releasing a chemical called histamine (hence a common treatment for hay fever being antihistamines).[2]

A woman blows her nose into a tissue, suffering from hay fever while she lies in bed

Symptoms of hay fever

Hay fever has many symptoms and it’s important to recognise the difference between hay fever and allergy to other triggers in order to treat it correctly. Some of the most common symptoms of hay fever are:

Persistent and frequent sneezing

Itchy throat or ears

Itchy, red, and watery eyes

Fatigue and irritability

Nasal congestion[3]

While these symptoms may appear mild, they can have a massive impact on daily living, causing many sufferers to avoid going out during peak pollen times.

While the most common form of allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) is seasonal, mainly a problem during the spring and summer in the UK, you can also suffer from Perennial allergic rhinitis refers to year round symptoms, often caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites.[3]

Itchy eyes caused by hay fever can be a nightmare, but it doesn’t have to ruin your summer. Instead, seek out treatments.

A packet of antihistamines for fighting symptoms of hay fever

Hay fever treatments

One extremely common treatment for hay fever is antihistamines. The tablets help to soothe the symptoms by blocking a symptom causing chemical called histamine that’s released due to an allergic reaction.[4] This is traditionally delivered in tablet form, but you can also find antihistamine nasal sprays to relieve nasal symptoms or antihistamine eye drops that will help to relieve symptoms troubling the eyes.

If you’d like a longer-term solution to hay fever then allergen immunotherapy treatment is an option. These treatments help to modify the immune system in order to build up a tolerance to a specific allergen, eventually preventing the reactions.[5]

Avoiding the allergen may sound obvious but it’s an incredibly effective way of ensuring you aren’t triggering an allergic response. Finding the culprit of your reaction and avoiding it during peak season will help.

Protecting yourself from the substances that cause a reaction such as pollen or pet dander can be beneficial. Wrap around sunglasses are an option, as are face masks.[6]

A warm mask can help to relive symptoms of a reaction, bringing you some comfort – take a look at the MeiboPatch which is available from the VISU Shop website.[7] Another similar option would be a cold compress which is more widely available.[8]

Washing your self after exposure to allergens like pollen can lessen the impacts of the reaction and help bring you relief. Wash your clothes when you come inside and use an eyewash like Xailin® Wash 20 x 5ml UD Vials.

There’s no cure for hay fever and sadly those who suffer from it are likely to continue suffering from it for the rest of their life. However, there are strategies to alleviate the symptoms and help avoid triggers. Symptoms may even improve as you age[9]

A woman sits in bed with her laptop and puts eyedrops in her eye to soothe dry eye

Fighting dry, itchy eyes

If you’re looking to relieve eye symptoms, then finding good eye drops is your first step to tackling allergy season. There are a range of eye drops to choose from antihistamine eye drops formulated specifically to treat these allergic reactions to steroid eye drops that may only be prescribed in severe cases.1 Anti-inflammatory allergy eye drops formulated without steroids are also available, helping to stop the itching of your eyes within an hour. However, it’s worth noting that NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops) eye drops will cause burning when first used. If you’re looking for an everyday option to battle dry, itchy, irritated eyes, choose a hydrating formula that will allow you to lubricate your eyes, bringing comfort.[10]

You don’t need specialist eye drops formulated specifically for allergy relief to help battle the symptoms of hay fever. A lubricating and protective eye drop like VisuXL® Gel 10ml bottle can bring relief by forming a protective cushion on the ocular surface. It’s a great alternative if you’re finding that you’re reaching for eye drops multiple times a day and is compatible with contact lenses.

If you find eye drops difficult to use, don’t worry, VISUshop offers a revolutionary product designed to make the process hassle free. The EziDrops eye drop applicator is compatible with any eye drops with a nozzle design, meaning it can be used in conjunction with effective lubricating eye drops like Xailin® Tears 10ml.

While the symptoms of hay fever can be difficult to manage, with a proper routine and the help of lubricating eye drops, you can still enjoy a full and unrestricted life. Explore our range of products now.

References

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