Allergies or Dry Eyes?
How to tell the difference and what to do about it Having eyes that are irritated and itchy is rough. Not knowing the cause of the irritation is frustrating and may prolong the issue. Irritation is most commonly caused by dry eyes or allergies. The Eye Center in Columbia put together the signs and symptoms of both and what to do about it. Allergies Allergy-driven eye irritation is most commonly caused by pollen in the air and can be the worst in the springtime. Eyes become red and itchy. Eyes tend to water more and rubbing or scratching around the eyes will aggravate the symptoms. Diagnosis: Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If your eyes are itchy but not burning it is likely allergies are the cause of your dry eye. Treatment: Taking an over-the-counter allergy medication can often do wonders. Sometimes a stronger steroid or mast cell stabilizer is needed depending on the severity of the allergic reaction. Using a cool compress can help alleviate milder symptoms. D...