#148: Mardi Gras Masquerade: What if it's not "Just My Allergies"?

Happy Mari Gras!

It's Mardi Gras season here in Louisiana.  And, Mardi Gras season gives the folks here in Louisiana one more thing to celebrate.  There are parties, parades, masquerade balls, and lots of fun to be had.  Everyone likes to get dressed up for it and wear beaded necklaces and fun masks. 

Since there is a lot of masquerading going on, it's the perfect time to talk about an eye condition that often masquerades as dry eyes - seasonal allergies. Or, I should say that allergies sometimes aren't the cause of your symptoms and it's really dry eye that's the underlying problem.

My patients often come in to see me and talk to me about symptoms of redness and watering. Then, they down play the symptoms by stating, "It's just my allergies". That's how it masquerades. A symptom that is pretending to be allergies, but it's really dry eye.

How Can You Determine if it's Allergy or Dry Eyes?

There are a couple of symptoms that are the same between dry eyes and allergies:

• redness
• feeling of scratchiness
• watering
• improves using artificial tears

But if it's truly allergy, you should have a couple additional symptoms. The symptoms that only indicate allergy are:

• Itching - this is the hallmark sign of allergy
• Eyelid swelling
• Mucus or stringy discharge
• Topical antihistamine eye drops improve symptoms in minutes

Whereas antihistamine drops would not help dry eyes.  You could put those antihistamines drops in your eyes, and they would still feel scratchy, red, and watery.  You can see how dry eyes and allergy eyes are different, but they do share some similar characteristics. That's why I'm calling allergy a masquerader.

How Do You Treat Eye Allergies?

There are several ways to treat eye allergies depending on their severity.  I have done a couple of blogs on this subject over the years.  If you want a few strategies to keep the pollen out of your eyes, check out this blog.  If you want to continue to wear contact lenses during allergy season, I've got a couple of hacks to share with you here. Want to use the best contact lens cleaner to remove pollen from your lenses, find out here.

Mild Eye Allergies

If it is a mild irritant that happens every once in a while, you could use artificial tears. I would recommend preservative free. And, if you keep them in the refrigerator, they'll feel cool and soothing. You could also use a cool compress to calm down those puffy lids.  If you don't have a favorite artificial tear, use this guide to find the best one for you.

Moderate Eye Allergies

If your allergy symptoms bother you daily for a seasonal period of time, you could use an over-the-counter antihistamine eye drop. There are several good ones on the market.  Pataday is once a day.  I recommend you use it in the morning.   If your eyes are extra sensitive, go for a preservative-free drop like Alaway.  Alaway is to be used twice a day.

Severe Eye Allergies

Now, if you've tried the over-the-counter drops, and your eyes are still feeling itchy and watery, you should see your eye care practitioner.  There are stronger medications that can be prescribed to you to get rid of that itching and thick ropey discharge.

Also, if you're just thinking that it's your allergies, and it's really dry eyes, your eye care provider will be able to tell you during the eye exam.  You should always see your  eye care provider when you have a problem that doesn't go away with a simple over-the-counter remedy or lasts more than a few days. 

CONCLUSION

There are several eye problems that masquerade as dry eyes.  You don't want to miss dry eye disease because it is both chronic and progressive.  The earlier you treat dry eye disease the better.  The longer you wait to treat it, the harder it can be to undo the damage to your eyes. 

Seasonal allergies are very common in Spring time throughout the country.  If you have tried an over-the-counter method to treat your eyes and they aren't feeling better, please see your eye care provider to rule out dry eye disease. 

And, if you know that you have dry eyes and it's allergy season, it is a great idea to use some extra artificial tears to rinse away any pollen or irritants.  If you don't have a favorite artificial tear, download the ultimate Guide to Artificial Tears here.  It will help you choose your favorite one.  Happy Mardi Gras!

 Well, there you have it.  Some of the biggest differences between dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis.  Don't for get to grab your copy of the Guide to Artificial Tears here.

Can't wait to see you next week,

Pam

PS:  Don't forget to download your copy of the Guide to Artificial Tears here.