Eye - Allergy

Pediatric HouseCalls Online

DEFINITION

• An allergic reaction of the eyes
• The eyes are itchy and watery

Symptoms

• Itchy eyes with frequent rubbing
• Increased tearing (watery eyes)
• Red or pink eyes
• Mild swelling of the eyelids
• No discharge or a minimal sticky, stringy, mucus discharge.
• No pain or fever

Causes

• Pollens - grass, trees, weeds, molds.Pollens travel in the air.

• Pets - cats, dogs, rabbits, horses. Animal allergens may be transferred to the eyes by the hands, but can also be airborne.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Runny, itchy nose and sneezing are also present, see HAY FEVER.
• Yellow or green pus in eyes, see EYE - PUS OR DRAINAGE.
• Doesn't look like eye allergy, see EYE - RED (WITHOUT PUS).

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Sacs of clear fluid (blisters) on whites of eyes or inner lids.
• Eyelids are swollen shut (or almost). 
• Discharge on eyelids that's not cleared after taking allergy medicines for 2 days.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns.
• Eyes are very itchy after taking allergy medicines for 2 days.
• Diagnosis of eye allergies never confirmed by your doctor.

Parent Care at Home If

• Mild eye allergy and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR EYE ALLERGY

1. Wash Allergens Off the Face:

   • Use a wet washcloth to clean off the eyelids and surrounding face.
   • Rinse the eyes with a small amount of warm water (tears will do the rest).
   • Then apply a cold wet washcloth to the itchy eye.
   • Wash the hair every night because it collects lots of pollen.
2. Oral Antihistamines:
   • If the nose is also itchy and runny, your child probably has hay fever (i.e., allergic symptoms of the nose AND eyes).
   • Give your child an oral antihistamine, which should relieve the nose and the eye symptoms (see Dosage table for chlorpheniramine products).
   • Oral antihistamines usually control the eye symptoms and avoid the need for eyedrops.
   • Continue oral antihistamines every day until pollen season is over (usually 2 months for each pollen).
3. New Antihistamine Eyedrops (Ketotifen) for Pollen Allergies (OTC):
   • Usually an oral antihistamine will adequately control the allergic symptoms of the eye.
   • If the eyes remain itchy and poorly controlled, buy some OTC antihistamine eyedrops.
   • Ketotifen eyedrops (OTC) are a safe and effective new product. (2007)
   • Dosage: 1 drop every 12 hours
   • Ask your pharmacist to recommend a brand (e.g. Zaditor or Alaway)
   • For severe allergies, the continuous use of ketotifen eye drops on a daily basis during pollen season will give the best control.
4. Older Antihistamine/Vasoconstrictor Eye Drops (OTC):
   • Usually the eyes will feel much better after the allergic substance is washed out and cold compresses are applied.
   • If not, this type of eyedrop can be used for intermittent eye allergy symptoms.
   • Dosage: 1 drop every 8 hours as necessary.
5. Contacts: Some children with contact lenses may need to switch to glasses temporarily (Reason: to permit faster healing).
6. Expected Course: If the allergic substance can be identified and avoided (e.g., a cat), the symptoms will not recur. Most eye allergies continue through the pollen season (4 to 8 weeks).
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Itchy eyes aren't controlled in 2 days with continuous allergy treatment
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 6/16/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

Copyright 1994-2009 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.