For people with allergies, you may think of spring as the worst time of year. While often that is true, winter should not be taken lightly. An optometrist will frequently see allergy sufferers who are just as miserable in the colder months as in typical blooming seasons. Following is a list of the most common winter allergens and how to help mitigate their effects.

Dust Mites

These organisms are microscopic and live almost everywhere. They frequently fester in bedding, carpet, dust, and our bodies. Dust mites are frequently the culprit of allergy issues since they leave their skeletons and waste behind. To manage this allergy, bedding should be frequently washed and dried at high temperatures, including pillows. Carpets should be cleaned thoroughly or even eliminated in favor of hard surfaces. Regular dusting using a damp cloth will help keep dust, and therefore dust mites, from recirculating into the air. An optometrist can prescribe eye drops to help with the symptoms of this allergy.

Mold

Damp areas such as bathrooms and basements can be a hotbed for mold or mildew. A home with a mold problem can be extremely dangerous to someone with this type of allergy, as spores can also be airborne. People allergic to mold often have severe respiratory issues like asthma which can be deadly, especially in the case of toxic black mold.

Animals

While your fluffy critters may not cause an allergic reaction during other seasons, having a house closed up during winter or turning on the heat may cause animal dander in the air to increase or become more airborne. This can trigger the red and watery eyes often seen by an optometrist. Clean carpets (or again, eliminate carpet), keep pets groomed, change your HVAC filters regularly, and use a topical product on pets to cut down on the disbursement of dander.

Winter Pollen

As with any time of the year, winter blooming plants and trees can exacerbate pollen allergies. Don’t forget about the Christmas tree, which is a frequent source of misery for allergy sufferers. Keep blooming plants out of the house and use artificial greenery during the holidays to manage pollen.

Wintertime allergies are certainly not a trivial matter to those who are afflicted. Effectively managing these common allergens can make winter far more survivable for them. For more advice on preventing and treating seasonal allergies, please see an optometrist and an allergy specialist.

As recently as a few decades ago, eye doctors would send allergy patients to the Valley of the Sun for relief. As these areas became more populated, that relief disappeared. Air pollution, dust, development, and non-native planting all combine to wreak havoc on sufferers’ respiratory and eye health. One way to help manage the misery of allergies is to landscape using low allergy plants.

In general, brightly colored flowering plants are pollinated by insects and birds rather than by wind. Using plants that reproduce via creatures will help reduce airborne pollen. Some specific examples are as follows:

Succulents and Cacti

The majority of these plants types will be minimal pollen generators. Their bright blooms invite creature pollination, rather than releasing shotgun blasts of pollen into the air. Agave, yucca, prickly pear, saguaro, cholla, organ pipe and barrel cacti are all safe choices for a low-allergy garden.

Palms and Trees

A critical factor in selecting low-allergy trees is to be absolutely certain that the tree is not the pollen producing gender of its species. For example, female palms will produce fruit, whereas the males create blooms that distribute a plethora of pollen. In the interests of your respiratory and eye health you may want to consult a professional when selecting palms and trees to ensure you’ve chosen the correct gender. Most female palms will be low on the allergy scale. Other trees that are acceptable include silk and orchid trees, the female variety of pistachio, and Jujubes.

Flowering Vines and Shrubs

Bougainvillea is a beautiful grower with bright fuchsia blooms. They are plentiful in the southwest and airborne pollen is minimal with this creature-pollinated plant. Lady Banks Roses, Tombstone Roses, and Trumpet Creepers also fall into the low-allergy classification of vines. Flowering shrubs that are beneficial for a sufferer’s garden are Bird of Paradise, sage, many breeds of myrtle, and Ruellia.

Ground Cover

In general, grasses can be one of the worst triggers for hay fever. Many non-native grasses have been imported into the southwest and result in not only a burden on irrigation but an allergy sufferer’s worst nightmare. Establish desert landscaping or plant ground cover and native grasses instead, choosing varieties like Morning Glory, Gazania, and Mexican Evening Primrose.

For those living in Arizona, your respiratory and eye health will thank you for planting sensibly. Consult a garden professional for more help selecting low-allergy varieties of plants, and enjoy the outdoors again!

Allergies are a miserable affliction that can occur any time of year. Sneezing, itching, congestion, and eye health issues can be a gruesome burden. Combating allergies can be equally terrible since many common treatments leave users either drowsy or overstimulated. This season, try some natural remedies first to help you cope.

Supplements

As with any ingested substance, consult your doctor before taking any natural supplements. Ask about interactions with your medicines, and heed product warnings. That said, allergy sufferers may find relief in combinations specifically designed for allergies or with individual herbs. Some herbs that may help include butterbur, grape seed extract, quercetin, and stinging nettle.

Nasal Flush

One way to help you breathe again is to use a neti pot containing saline solution to flush your nasal passages. The saline solution is a simple formula consisting of sea salt or canning salt (do not use table salt), baking soda, and lots of boiled and cooled water. The pot will rinse out pollen, mucus, or irritants that are causing trouble. Check with your allergist or eye health provider about adding ingredients like eucalyptus or goldenseal tonic for even greater benefit.

Check Your Diet

One way to calm your body’s reaction to allergens is to start with your diet. Those with certain types of allergies, such as ragweed or pollen, may need to avoid certain foods like sunflower seeds, cucumbers, chamomile or echinacea tea or supplements, bananas, and melons. While you are investigating your diet for possible allergy stimulants, add some spice to your meals as that will help thin mucus and clear out your sinuses while delighting your taste buds.

Acupuncture

Another chemical-free method of combating allergy symptoms is through acupuncture. Children and adults alike have had considerable success in minimizing allergy trouble by undergoing regular acupuncture sessions. This can be combined with massage sessions, which has also been shown to help allergy sufferers.

The best allergy defense is to protect yourself from allergens as much as possible. If you must do yard work, protect your sinuses with a dust mask and your eye health with goggles. Keep your home dust and dander free. Start treatment with supplements or acupuncture about 3-4 weeks before allergy season to help your body better manage its response to the onslaught of allergens. Some simple preparation and use of natural remedies can help you stay clear-headed and comfortable through the coming allergy season.

Do your eyes ever become red, swollen and itchy, perhaps accompanied by a runny nose? If so, you’re probably experiencing eye allergies.

According to AllAboutVision.com, about 30 to 50 percent of Americans have allergy symptoms, and about three of every four allergy sufferers have eye symptoms.

When an allergic reaction takes place, your eyes overreact to a substance (called an allergen) perceived as harmful, even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause problems for allergic individuals.

Many allergens are in the air, where they come in contact with your eyes and nose. Airborne allergens include pollen, mold, dust and pet dander. Some people are allergic to the preservatives in eye drops such as those used to lubricate dry eyes.

You can reduce your risk of eye allergies by reducing your exposure to common allergens.

1.  Keep your home free of dust and pet dander, and keep pets off the furniture.

2.  Stay inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air. Use efficient furnace filters that trap most allergens, and replace them frequently.

3.  When outdoors, wear wrap-style sunglasses to help shield your eyes from pollen and other airborne allergens, and drive with your windows closed.

4.  If you think you are allergic to eye drops, replace them with a preservative-free brand.

5.  If you wear contact lenses, switch to daily disposable contacts. Because you discard these lenses after each use, they won’t accumulate deposits that can worsen allergy-related eye discomfort.

If these measures are ineffective, we can recommend over-the-counter remedies or prescribe allergy medication to help relieve your symptoms.  Schedule an appointment with Valley Eyecare or call us to discuss 602-242-6888.

Eye Allergies – What Are the Causes and How to Improve Them

Similar to processes that occur with other types of allergic responses, the eye may overreact to a substance perceived as harmful even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive tear production and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals. Eye allergies are often hereditary.

Allergies can trigger other problems, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and asthma. Most of the more than 22 million Americans who suffer from allergies also have allergic conjunctivitis, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Eye Allergy Signs and Symptoms

Common signs of allergies include: red, swollen, tearing or itchy eyes; runny nose; sneezing; coughing; difficulty breathing; itchy nose, mouth or throat, and headache from sinus congestion.

What causes eye allergies?

Many allergens (substances that can evoke an allergic response) are in the air, where they come in contact with your eyes and nose. Airborne allergens include pollen, mold, dust and pet dander. Other causes of allergies, such as certain foods or bee stings, do not typically affect the eyes the way airborne allergens do. Adverse reactions to certain cosmetics or drugs such as antibiotic eye drops also may cause eye allergies.

Eye allergy treatment

Avoidance. The most common “treatment” is to avoid what’s causing your eye allergy. Itchy eyes? Keep your home free of pet dander and dust, and stay inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air. If you have central air conditioning, use a high quality filter that can trap most airborne allergens and replace it frequently.

Medications. If you’re not sure what’s causing your eye allergies, or you’re not having any luck avoiding them, your next step will probably be medication to alleviate the symptoms.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications each have their advantages; for example, over-the-counter products are often less expensive, while prescription ones are often stronger.

Eye drops are available as simple eye washes, or they may have one or more active ingredients such as antihistamines, decongestants or mast cell stabilizers. Antihistamines relieve many symptoms caused by airborne allergens, such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing.

Decongestants clear up redness. They contain vasoconstrictors, which make the blood vessels in your eyes smaller, lessening the apparent redness. They treat the symptom, not the cause.

In fact, with extended use, the blood vessels can become dependent on the vasoconstrictor to stay small. When you discontinue the eye drops, the vessels actually get bigger than they were in the first place. This process is called rebound hyperemia, and the result is that your red eyes worsen over time.

Some products have ingredients that act as mast cell stabilizers, which alleviate redness and swelling. Mast cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines. But while antihistamines are known for their immediate relief, mast cell stabilizers are known for their long-lasting relief.

Other medications used for allergies include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids.  In some cases, combinations of medications may be used.

Immunotherapy. You may also benefit from immunotherapy, in which an allergy specialist injects you with small amounts of allergens to help your body gradually build up immunity to them.

Eye allergies and contact lenses

Even if you are generally a successful contact lens wearer, allergy season can make your contacts uncomfortable. Airborne allergens can get on your lenses, causing discomfort. Allergens can also stimulate the excessive production of natural substances in your tears that bind to your contacts, adding to your discomfort and allergy symptoms.

Ask your eye doctor about eye drops that can help relieve your symptoms and keep your contact lenses clean. Certain drops can discolor or damage contact lenses, so ask your doctor first before trying out a new brand.

Another alternative is daily daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded nightly. Because you replace them so frequently, these lenses are unlikely to develop irritating deposits that can build up over time and cause or heighten allergy-related discomfort.

If you have any questions, or would like to be seen by a doctor for your eye allergies, please feel free to contact Valley Eyecare Center.