Spring brings warmer temperatures and lots of sun, but it also brings the misery of spring allergies. If you’re an allergy sufferer you are probably already experiencing itchy, red, dry eyes, congestion, and other symptoms associated with spring allergies. Unfortunately you can’t completely get rid of seasonal allergies. But there are some things that you can do to manage the symptoms associated with spring allergies.

For same-day allergy relief, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Stoneham. Our medical providers can examine your symptoms and make the best recommendations for care. Simply walk-in or schedule an appointment online today.

Eye Allergy Symptoms And Causes

People who suffer from “allergic conjunctivitis” or eye allergies are experiencing a reaction where the body’s immune system releases histamine as a response to an external element like pollen. The most common causes of eye allergy symptoms are pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. The histamine released by the immune system can trigger eye allergy symptoms like:

• Itchiness
• Soreness, burning, and pain
• Red, irritated eyes
• Tearing, runny eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Light sensitivity
• Stuffy, runny nose

The symptoms of eye allergies can vary in severity. Some people may have extreme symptoms that interfere with daily activities while others may have hardly any symptoms at all. If you tend to have severe allergy symptoms the best things that you can do minimize exposure to common allergens are:

• Frequently cleaning your house or apartment, especially before spring “springs”
• Keeping windows closed
• Following local pollen levels online
• Checking HVAC filters often

There are also some things that you can do to manage your allergy symptoms.

Tips For Managing Symptoms And Getting Relief

Getting relief for allergy symptoms usually involves both medical and non-medical care. Prescription allergy medications can help clear up some of the worst allergy symptoms by blocking your body’s histamine production. But you can also do these things to lower your risk of developing severe allergy symptoms:

Wear Glasses, Not Contacts

If you normally wear contacts try wearing your glasses until allergy season is over. Wearing contacts can make your already irritated eyes even more irritated. Contacts can lead to itchy eyes, redness, and other discomfort during spring allergy season.

Wash Your Hands

You’d be surprised how many allergens you can pick up throughout the day. Wash your hands with soap frequently to get rid of as many allergens as possible. Also try to avoid touching your face and your eyes.

Try Saline Nasal Spray

Using a saline nasal spray to irrigate your nasal passages and clean out any allergens or bacteria can help eliminate a runny nose and some other allergy symptoms.

Use A Cold Pack

A cold eye pillow or ice pack can be very soothing to red, irritated, and painfully dry eyes. Keep a cold pack or eye pillow in the freezer and use as necessary. An eye pillow with flax seeds or rice inside will stay cool for up to 30 minutes. You can also apply used herbal tea bags to your closed eyes to get relief.

Try Soothing Eye Drops

Eye drops can be very soothing for irritated eyes. Just keep in mind that some eye drops can cause rebound redness and actually make your symptoms worse if you use them for more than a few days.

Seasonal Allergy Treatment Options At Urgent Care

If you are experiencing severe allergy symptoms that are making you miserable make an appointment or stop by urgent care to find out what treatment options are available to you. Prescription medications, eye drops, and allergy testing can help you find out what is causing these allergy symptoms and what you can do to manage them. 

AFC Urgent Care Stoneham provides same-day allergy relief for all patients in the area and surrounding communities. Just walk-in today! If you have any additional questions about allergy symptom relief and treatment, please contact us directly at (781) 279-4000.