Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

You Shouldn’t Want to Scratch Out Your Own Eyes #EyesonVISINE

This post is part of a program with VISINE and The Motherhood, who sent me products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own.

Spring is my favorite time of year.

The dreary winter weather leaves and we can head outside. To the beach. To the porch to read a book. And of course to the soccer fields if you are my family. The windows are open, I can live in sundresses… it’s a happy time of year.

spring soccer

Well, except for all the pollen. The pollen counts here in eastern North Carolina have been ridiculously high this year. You go outside and everything is covered in yellow. It’s not even just a light dusting this year, it’s a thick coating.

So if you suffer from allergies, going outside might make you feel like you want to scratch out your eyes from all that pollen. It got so bad that I had to resort to wearing my glasses instead of my contacts because my eyes were so irritated.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies (1 in 5 Americans)1

Eye allergies(what I call that feeling of wanting to scratch out my eyes) happen when airborne allergens and other particles land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness; the body reacts to the substance by flooding the eyes with tears and mucus.

Symptoms of eye allergies may include:

  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Tearing
  • Swelling and puffiness of the eyelids
  • “Foreign body sensation”
  • Burning sensation
  • Watery eyes

VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief

You can use VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops to temporarily relieve itchy, red eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander. These eye drops are clinically proven effective for allergy relief and combine an antihistamine with a redness reliever to temporarily relieve eye itchiness and redness, helping eyes get back to normal. Use one or two drops of VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops throughout the day as needed to treat symptoms, up to four times a day.

visine allergy

If you are a contact lens wearer like me, you should remove them, then add VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops. Wait for at least 15 minutes, and then place contacts back into the eyes. Do not use VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops while wearing contact lenses.  That 15 minute wait time will allow the eye drops to be absorbed into the eyes before the contacts are put back in. If your eyes are irritated or infected, do not put your contacts back in.

VISINE® ALLERGY TIPS

INDOORS:

  • Wash linens and clothes regularly
  • Keep windows shut to keep out pollen and other outdoor allergens
  • Vacuum and dust often to reduce indoor allergens, such as dust and pet dander
  • Run the air conditioner or air filter to sift out allergens. Make sure to keep those air filters clean and replace them regularly
  • Put allergy proof covers on pillows, mattresses and comforters to ward off dust mites

OUTDOORS:

  • Check the pollen count before going outside each day – pollen counts tend to be highest 5 – 10AM
  • Shower after being outdoors to remove allergens that may have stuck to you. Use a sterile saline eye wash to flush allergens out of your eyes
  • Do not hang laundry to dry outdoors because allergens can stick to the clothes
  • Glasses and sunglasses act as a barrier or shield to minimize allergens from sticking to your eyes
  • If you prefer to wear contact lenses, choose a daily disposable lens, which can minimize accumulation of allergens as well.

For more allergy season tips and tricks, visit http://www.visine.com/understanding-eye-allergies/histamines

Come to the #EyesonVISINE party, 5/8 at noon ET, to win a $25 gc & useful allergy relief items! http://twtvite.com/visine

 Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?

1 “CDC Fast Facts A-Z,” Vital Health Statistics, 2003

Comments

  2. I’ve been blessed to not have allergies but the rest of my family was not so fortunate. I need to buy them some eye drops for their watery eyes.

  10. I have awful seasonal allergies and my eyes get so itchy! I’m going to have to pick this up next time I’m at CVS.

  11. The pollen is ridiculous on the western side of NC, too. I stay inside almost all the time trying to avoid it.

  12. It was good of you to write about this now before the summer allergy season is hot upon us. This product seems as if it will give a lot of people a great deal of relief.

  14. I don’t. My six year old does. It’s a really rough time for him. And he just wants to be outside playing 🙁

  15. A pollen coating sounds awful! Though I imagine the pleasant weather year-round makes up for it. I’m glad Visine works to help with your eyes!! 

  18. I had to giggle at your post title – you’re right, no one should want to scratch their own eyes out! I am very lucky that I don’t suffer from any seasonal allergies, but even I still get a little itchy in certain climates that don’t have a lot of humidity and end up using Visine!

  24. We all suffered here in the South until we discovered essential oils. Now we’re symptom-free. Now sure I want to know what “Foreign Body Sensation” is. LOL. Glad you found a solution that works for you.