• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Puffy Eyes Due to Allergies

January 25, 2011 by ds_25061 Leave a Comment

Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms including puffiness around your eyes. While puffy eyes are a common symptom of allergies, other conditions can also cause discomfort and irritation in and around your eyes. Determining the source of your discomfort can help you lessen or prevent allergic reactions in the future.

Allergies

Allergic reactions occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance. Even though allergens, such as pollen and pet dander, aren’t harmful, your immune system mistakenly identifies them as invaders and threatening substances. Allergic reactions can involve several areas of your body, including your digestive system, sinuses, airways, skin and the mucous membranes surrounding your eyes.

Eye Irritation

During an allergy attack, you may experience a variety of eye conditions including itching, watering and swelling. The redness and puffiness may come on suddenly whenever the allergen is present. The medical terms for allergies that affect your eyes are ocular allergies and allergic conjunctivitis.

Causes

Pollen is the most common allergen. In addition to causing puffiness and irritation around your eyes, seasonal allergies to pollen, known as allergic rhinitis, may include a runny nose and sinus congestion. Topical solutions, such as lotions, soaps, eye creams and eye makeup, can also cause localized irritation and inflammation to the mucous membranes and skin surrounding your eyes.

Treatment

Avoiding the allergens responsible for your discomfort is the best way to prevent puffiness and swelling. However, you may not be able to avoid all types of allergens such as dust mites, molds and fumes. The All About Vision website recommends using a cold wet compress on the outside of your closed eyelids to provide temporary relief. Over-the-counter antihistamines and eye drops may also help reduce eye irritation and puffiness.

Warnings

Rubbing your eyes can increase the itching and irritation. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology warns that the prolonged use of some types of eye drops can make your symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor if you haven’t received a medical diagnosis regarding your eye condition. Other conditions may mimic the symptoms of eye allergies. Viral and bacterial infections can cause a condition known as pinkeye. Pinkeye is often contagious and may require medical treatment.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_25061

Piper Li, a professional freelance writer, began writing in 1989. Her articles appear in Modern Mom, Biz Mojo, Walden University and GardenGuides. She is the co-editor for "Kansas Women: Focus on Health." With a bachelor's degree in journalism from Mesa State, Li enjoys writing about health, horticulture and business management.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

The Little Boy On First Base

To all the coaches, parents, and fans of little … [Read More...] about The Little Boy On First Base

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don't Know How to Cook Them

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don’t Know How to Cook Them

how to find out your pregnancy due date

How to Find Out Your Pregnancy Due Date

Baby Brain Development in the Womb

Substitutes for Butter When Baking Cookies

safe to color Your hair while breastfeeding

Is it Safe to Color Your Hair While Breastfeeding?

substitution for oil in baking brownies

Substitution for Oil in Baking Brownies

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.