Eye allergies in kids are often brought on by environmental allergens, likepollenor mold.
Kids often rub their eyes when theyre uncomfortable, which exacerbates allergy symptoms.
This article discusses eye allergies in kids, including causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
What Causes Eye Allergies in Kids?
Eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) occur when allergens get into the eye.
When allergens get into the eyes, the body releases chemicals, including histamines, that trigger inflammation.
The response will cause the area around the eye to become red and inflamed.
How Do You Tell If Its Pink Eye or Allergies?
Allergies
Pink Eye and Irritants
If you’re in doubt, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider.
While allergies can usually be managed at home, infectious conjunctivitis may require treatment and isusually contagious.
What Are the Symptoms of Eye Allergies in Kids?
For example, they will rub their eyes or cry.
The symptoms of eye allergies last as long as your child’s eyes are exposed to allergens.
For pollen allergies (hay fever), that can be four to eight weeks.
For children who experience allergies to indoor allergens like dust mites, symptoms may be year-round.
If symptoms don’t get better when allergens are avoided, consulting an allergist forallergy testingis warranted.
For severe allergies, your child’s healthcare provider might recommend prescription medications or an allergy shot.
How Are Eye Allergies in Kids Treated?
This can greatly decrease how much pollen they are exposed to over the course of a day.
The best way to deal with eye allergies in kids is to prevent them.
you’re able to also consider starting an intranasal corticosteroid the week before allergy season starts.
If you are not sure what is causing your child’s eye symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.
Usually, your child’s healthcare provider can diagnose eye allergies just by their symptoms.
They can provide you with treatment recommendations.
Most of the time, OTC medications and lifestyle adjustments are enough to manage your child’s allergies.
If the symptoms are severe, your child’s healthcare provider might suggest a prescription medication.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic conjunctivitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: causes and how it spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.
