Did you know that antihistamines are not the only answer in trying to manage allergic conjunctivitis?
As the pollen count begins to rise, Graham & Abi are seeing many more people with red, itchy, swollen eyes associated with hayfever. Not surprising when you realise that over 16 million people in the UK suffer with hayfever!
Graham & Abi’s top tips for managing hayfever eyes include:
- Avoid exposure to pollen by closing windows and staying indoors when the pollen count is at its highest – generally mid-morning and early evening.
- Wear wrap around style sunglasses to prevent pollen coming into contact with your eyes and the sensitive skin around the eyes.
- Rinse your skin with cold water to wash away pollen that has settled on your face.
- Use a cold compress on your eyes to help reduce the inflammation associated with an allergic response.
- Use Zaspray, a preservative free spray that soothes and lubricates dry eyes that are associated with allergy.
If you know the time of year your symptoms start, use a ‘’Mast Cell Stabiliser’’ two weeks before your discomfort begins to PREVENT symptoms starting. Mast Cell Stabilisers include Sodium Cromoglicate and Lodoxamide.
Antihistamine Eye Drops can be used to CONTROL symptoms once they have started, for example Antazoline.
Some drops combine both mast cell stabilising and antihistamine properties and these are only available on prescription, such as Olapatadine and Azelastine.
Keep your eye drops in the fridge and instil them when they are cold for maximum soothing effect.