Eye Allergies: 8 Tips For Relief When You Wear Contacts | HuffPost

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Whatever you do, don't rub them!

Joy D'Souza— The Huffington Post Canada

Allergy season isn't fun for anyone, but for contact wearers it can be especially frustrating.

For most allergy sufferers, relief can come in a tiny capsule, but medical experts recommend steering clear of oral antihistamines if you wear contacts since they can further dry out your eyes.

Fortunately, you can still get eye allergy relief while wearing contact lenses. Below, we share eight tips for reducing itchiness and redness in your eyes. From switching to dailies to tossing your contact case, these tips are optometrist approved.

How do you deal with dry eyes during allergy season? Let us know in the comments below.

Switch To Daily Use Lenses

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Daily disposable lenses are a great option for allergy sufferers as contaminants and irritants don't tend to build up on them. A 2003 study found that 67 per cent of contact wearers who switched to daily use lenses reported more comfort than monthly contact wearers.

Wash Hands Often

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And especially before touching your eyes. Even mild soaps can irritate your eyes so the experts at CopperVision recommend rinsing your hands well before touching your contacts.

Replace Your Case

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Contact lens cases should be replaced every 3 months to avoid contamination, say the experts at Clearly Contacts. If you don't normally follow this rule allergy season is the perfect time to start as your contacts pick up dust, dirt and pollen with every wear.

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Keep Your Eyes Hydrated

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While over the counter eye drops can be of great help during allergy season*, they only provide temporary relief. Keep a dropper nearby for emergencies, but also consider talking to your doctor about finding a better lens for your needs.
*Note, drops should not be used while your contacts are in. Take out your lens before putting in the drop, then wait a few minutes before putting it back in.

Avoid Make Up

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Give irritated eyes a break by cutting back on eye makeup during allergy season. If this isn't an option for you, reduce irritation by putting in your contacts before you apply the make up. Also consider switching to an allergy-friendly make up brand.

Cool It On The Rubbing

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Your first response to itchy eyes might be to rub away the irritation, but that is only going to make it worse. Instead, the experts at Emory Eye Centre recommend calming itchy eyes with a cold compress or splash cold water over your closed eyes to reduce the inflammation.

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Switch Back To Glasses

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It's not ideal, but if your allergies are really acting up, it might be best to go back to wearing glasses.

Consult An Optometrist

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If your eyes are still irritated after trying these tricks consult an optometrist who can help you choose a different type of contact lens or cleaning solution that may reduce eye allergies

Also on HuffPost

11 Things People With Spring Allergies Need To Know

Keep Your Home Clean(01 of11)

Health expert Dr. David Dragoo recommends changing your clothes when you come in from outside, as well as wiping down your shoes before entering your house. Clean your floors, keep windows closed, vacuum regularly, wash bedding and stuffed toys weekly, and change your AC filters. A cyclonic vacuum that spins dust and dirt away from the floor is also a good choice, Dr. James Sublett, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says, or you can get one with a HEPA filter. (credit:Jupiterimages)

Filter Your Air(02 of11)

Switch to HEPA filters from regular air filters, or consider getting a HEPA air filter in your home if you don’t already have one. Sublett recommends looking for filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12. Using a dehumidifier at home may also help, Dragoo said. And if your car’s AC has a feature allowing you to recirculate the air inside instead of bringing in air from outside, he suggested using that. (credit:Shutterstock / Shi Yali)

Watch Out For Mold Zones(03 of11)

"Bathrooms, basements and areas that are tiled can be especially prone to mold,” Sublett said. Controlling moisture is the key to avoiding mold: use your bathroom fan, clean up any standing water immediately, and avoid vaporizers and humidifiers. "You can also help ward off dust mites and mold by keeping home humidity below 50 per cent and cleaning gutters regularly,” he advised. If you do see visible mold, scrub it off with detergent and water then dry it completely. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Don't Forget About Outdoor Mold(04 of11)

Along with pollen, outdoor mold can cause allergy problems in the spring, Sublett said, and counts are particularly high on windy days and after thunderstorms. "Activities such as raking leaves, cleaning up plant debris from over the winter and mulching can lead to significant mold exposure,” he said. (credit:Shutterstock / dragon_fang)

Go Lazy On The Yard Work(05 of11)

It’s tempting to start digging in the garden once the weather warms up, but you could end up sneezing as a result. Dragoo recommends avoiding outdoor chores that can stir up pollen, like gardening or cutting the grass. “Delegate that to someone in your household who doesn’t suffer from allergies,” he suggested. If that’s not possible, Sublett recommended wearing gloves and a NIOSH-rated N95 filter mask. If you do need or want to spend some time in the great outdoors, try to time it for just after the rain, he said, which decreases the effects of pollen. And wear glasses or sunglasses when outside, Sublett suggested, to help keep pollen from getting in your eyes. (credit:Shutterstock / Alexander Raths)

Be Smart About Medication(06 of11)

"A common allergy mistake to avoid is to wait until symptoms begin to start taking your allergy medication,” Sublett said. "It’s best to begin medicating about two weeks before symptoms typically begin.” If you’re looking for a medication to help relieve your symptoms, Dragoo suggests looking for one with an antihistamine and/or decongestant — both if your allergies are severe. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, which is produced by your body in response to allergens and causes symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes. (credit:Alamy)

Look For Newer Medications(07 of11)

"First-generation OTC antihistamines available in the United States can cause drowsiness, and regularly taking them can lead to a feeling of constant sluggishness, affecting learning, memory and performance,” Sublett advised. "Newer antihistamines, now generics — such as lorataine, fexofenadine, and ceterizine and Clarinex and Xyzal, available by prescription — are designed to minimize drowsiness while still blocking the effects of histamine." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Think About Sprays(08 of11)

"If the over-the counter medication doesn't protect you well through the entire day, it might be time for prescription medicine,” Dragoo advised. Both steroid and antihistamine sprays are more effective than oral medications, Sublett said. Most of these are available with a prescription. (credit:shutterstock)

Allergy Shots Are Another Option(09 of11)

Allergy shots, also called allergen immunotherapy, are actually the most natural and best way of treating allergies, Sublett said. The shots contain extracts of the things that set off your particular allergies. They do require committing to visiting your doctor for the shots regularly. (credit:Shutterstock / InesBazdar)

Be Careful With The Neti Pot(10 of11)

"Although nasal rinses like the Neti pot may remove mucous and are recommended during a bout of a sinus infection, they should be used with caution,” Sublett advised. "Many times the sinuses are not actually infected, and the symptoms are the result of tissue swelling. If the rinses get into a sinus, they themselves can trigger symptoms.” If you use a Neti pot or other nasal rinse, use sterile water like bottled distilled water or boiled water that has been cooled. (credit:nullplus)

Get A Doctor(11 of11)

A board-certified allergist is the best-trained health professional for performing allergy testing and treating your allergies and their related conditions effectively, Sublett said. "Self-treating with over-the-counter allergy medications can be ineffective. Allergy sufferers should be under the regular care of a board-certified allergist who will provide the best, individualized treatment for their allergies.” If you don’t currently have an allergist, talk to your family doctor about getting a referral. (credit:Getty Images/OJO Images RF)

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