Seasonal Eye Allergies: Tips for Keeping Your Vision Clear This Fall

Falling leaves, piles of pumpkins, and warm days paired with crisp nights are just some of the things that make fall so exciting. But for those with seasonal eye allergies, fall can be challenging. We can help.

Fall is a time of transition, from the dog days of summer to crisp, cool nights. Whether you’re looking forward to the changing foliage, your favorite fall beverages, or the fall holidays, seasonal eye allergies can prevent you from fully enjoying this time of year.

The team at Wicker Park Eye Center in Chicago, Illinois, is here to help you avoid the itchy, red, and watery eyes that, unfortunately, many people associate with this season of change.

What causes seasonal eye allergies?

Seasonal eye allergies happen when you come into contact with something in the environment that triggers your body to launch a strong immune response. Each season presents a unique set of potential allergens, and some people are more sensitive to specific allergens than others.

Fall can be especially difficult for people with seasonal eye allergies. Ragweed pollen is one of the most common allergens that trigger eye symptoms.

The ragweed plant blooms during the fall, and the pollen these plants create can travel for miles on a simple breeze. That means you can experience symptoms even when you’re nowhere near a ragweed plant.

Mold is another common allergen, and those gorgeous fall leaves can harbor millions of mold spores impossible to see or avoid. Damp leaves on the ground allow mold spores to multiply beyond control.

Even indoor environments can cause an allergic eye reaction during the fall season. Warmer weather means you probably haven’t turned on your heat for some time, and mold spores take advantage of the summer months to multiply within heating ductwork.

Once you turn up the heat, those spores become airborne and circulate within your living space.

Steps to reduce your risk of eye allergy symptoms

One of the best ways to avoid seasonal eye allergies is to use an air quality tracking app or website. If pollen counts are high or air quality is low, try to shift your schedule toward indoor activities as much as possible.

Keeping your home’s windows closed can also help. Remember to change the filters in your home’s heating and air system, and consider an air purification device if you’re particularly sensitive to pollutants.

You may be able to control minor eye allergy symptoms with over-the-counter artificial tears or decongestant drops. Oral antihistamines help some people but can contribute to dry eyes.

The team at Wicker Park Eye Center can help you manage the symptoms of seasonal eye allergies with prescription medications, moisturizing eye drops, and immunotherapy.

This last approach involves injecting minute quantities of specific allergens into your skin. Over time, your body builds up a tolerance for those allergens and won’t launch a full immune reaction when exposed to them in environmental settings.

Seasonal eye allergies are more than just an inconvenience

If you associate the change of season with watering eyes, irritation, and redness, act now. Not all cases of seasonal eye allergies are avoidable, but managing your symptoms can prevent these seasonal distractions from becoming year-round eye health issues.

Contact Wicker Park Eye Center by phone or online today to find the best possible treatment plan for seasonal eye allergies. Make this fall a season you can enjoy to the fullest.