How to Get Rid of Winter Allergies (Especially Dry, Itchy Eyes)

What Are Common Ways to Treat Winter Eye Allergies?

With the dry winter months and high juniper allergens, you might need to change your winter habits to accommodate these environmental changes.

With the rise of juniper, acacia, and cedar in early January, be on the lookout for red, itchy, watery, burning eyes. When over-the-counter anti-histamine eye drops aren’t cutting it, visit your eye doctor to see what additional therapies and treatments you can do. And remember, never rub your eyes.

If your eyes are feeling super itchy and you want to scratch, put a super cold towel on top of your eyes to decrease the inflammation, and the need to rub your eyes will decrease. 

When it gets cold, dry, and windy, consider using a humidifier at night. Our eyes will dry out, and our corneas will swell overnight with the heaters. Humidifiers can help our eyes and nasal passages feel more comfortable. 

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

A common dry eye ailment in the winter months is meibomian gland dysfunction. The meibom will be less mobile when the temperature drops. Doing warm compress therapy with Oasis rest and relief masks is highly recommended 1-3 times a week for 5 minutes. Dr. Yee can also express the meibomian glands with Ocusoft Thermal one therapy.

Determining the Cause of Your Allergy Symptoms

There are many ways to battle eye allergies, but the biggest question is what is causing your symptoms. Commonly, people will experience dry eye, blepharitis, eye inflammation, or mild infections, which can be mistaken for eye allergies. Always see your optometrist when you first notice symptoms. 

If you notice your eyes burning when you are outdoors, your eyes are likely not tolerating the pollen and pollutants in the air. 

Dallas has a constant stream of new allergens that come in each week, so it’s not uncommon to have bad reactions to the air for a week or two, only to have it all pass through a week later. And in your home, always get the best air filters and think of getting air purifiers in the rooms you frequent the most. 

If you are experiencing dry, itchy, burning, or red eyes, schedule your office visit today.