Natural Remedies for Eye Allergies: Relief without Medication
Having eye allergies can be troublesome and leads to discomfort.
It can cause pain, redness, swelling around the eyes, and many more.
According to NCBI, 10% to 30% of the population is likely to get affected by simple ocular allergy.
It, therefore, is essential to know all the tricks that might help you relieve the discomfort.
This article gives you possible home remedies you can try if you have eye allergies.
Rinse your eyes
The first thing to do is rinse your eyes thoroughly with cold water.
This is supposed to loosen out the allergens from the eye.
These allergens are then flushed out of the eye with water, bringing relief.
It is also suggested to actively try to prevent yourself from things that might trigger your allergies.
“It’s clear that the over the counter treatments have helped. It’s very clear that they can help. However, for long-term care, you really need to prevent”
Allergist Leonard Bielory, MD
Cold Compress
Cold compresses are another way to relieve eye pain, pink eye, swelling, and inflammation.
They might not heal your allergies completely, but they do provide relaxation.
The following are some ways you can make a cold compress at home.
- Drench a handkerchief in cool water and apply it gently to your eyes
- Freeze a clean and damp towel in the freezer for some time before applying it over your eyes
- Put small pieces of ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a clean washcloth and use it on the eyes
Do not apply ice directly on the skin.
You can, however, repeat the treatment every few hours if needed.
Tea bags
Another effective treatment could be using cold tea bags for soothing puffiness and red eyes caused by an allergy.
It is to be noted that different kinds of tea have different properties.
Chamomile tea has terpenoids and flavonoids, which contribute to its medicinal properties.
Eyebright has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used to treat eye inflammation.
Additionally, caffeine in green and black teas can help with puffiness and swelling under the eyes.
To use tea bags as a cold compress,
- Let two tea bags sit in hot water
- Squeeze out the excess water from the tea bags
- Refrigerate them for some time
- Place the cold tea bags over the eyes as a compress
Please do not use them for longer than 15 minutes in one go.
You can repeat the treatment as often as needed after every few hours.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a medicinal plant used in various ways over the years.
It consists of tannins, which is a polyphenol and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Its leaves and bark are used as teas, toners, and ointments.
However, more study is needed to see the effectiveness of witch hazel.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and healing characteristics.
Patch test aloe vera gel on your arm or leg to check for allergies before trying the treatment.
Scoop out aloe vera gel straight from the leaves.
Mix one teaspoon of this fresh gel in two tablespoons of cold water.
Dampen cotton rounds in this solution and place them over your eyelids for 10-15 minutes.
Avoid directly applying aloe vera gel to the eyes, as it might cause irritation.
Rose Water
At least once in our lifetime, we have all been suggested to put rose water in our eyes to relieve eye pain.
The anti-inflammatory properties of rose water help reduce allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.
You can put cotton rounds soaked in rose water over your eyelids.
Another possible way to use rose water is to put a drop or two of rosewater directly into the eye for relief.
Fennel water
Native to the Mediterranean, fennel is now available worldwide.
It has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries now.
Fennel eyewash can be helpful when suffering from hay fever.
You can also place cotton rounds soaked in fennel water or fennel tea bags over your eyelids.
You can do this several times a day to soothe your eyes.
Croton
In some communities, plants like croton are used to treat allergic reactions due to conjunctivitis.
The plant has medicinal properties that help relieve the symptoms of the condition.
People use the juice from the plant leaf for external applications.
Takeaway
Medical treatments, like eye drops and allergy shots, help to treat eye allergies.
But apart from this, natural remedies can help alleviate the discomfort caused by these allergies.
However, the efficacy of these treatments has yet to be established due to a lack of sufficient studies on using natural remedies for eye allergies.
But the most crucial thing is avoiding the triggers causing your allergies.
Feel free to consult the healthcare provider for medications to treat your eye allergy whenever needed, as it can expedite the healing process..
Consult your doctor before using any of these natural remedies for eye allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are home remedies for eye allergies?
Some commonly used home remedies for eye allergies include washing the eyes thoroughly with cold water. In addition, cold compress, tea bags, aloe vera, and rose water might also relieve allergic symptoms. But the first thing to do is to avoid the triggers that cause allergies.
Can allergies be cured naturally?
Many natural remedies are known to help with allergies. They include a cold compress, rose water, etc. They can help alleviate the symptoms of eye allergies, like inflammation and swelling. More extensive studies are needed to establish the efficacy of natural remedies to treat eye allergies.
Can aloe vera reduce inflammation around the eyes?
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It can, therefore, be used to relieve inflammation around the eyes. Make sure you patch test before using it.
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